RALEIGH, N.C. (Map) - RALEIGH, N.C., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- While North Carolina has been spared a direct hit during the last few hurricane seasons, Verizon Wireless announced today the company has completed extensive preparations for the 2008 Hurricane Season to ensure North Carolinians have strong, comprehensive wireless coverage and service this hurricane season and beyond.

Verizon Wireless, builder and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network, has spent more than $96 million across North Carolina to strengthen and enhance its wireless network. Highlights of these enhancements include expanding and enhancing regional switching facilities, erecting new digital cell sites with on-site back-up power, expanding statewide the company's (EV-DO) highest-speed (Revision A) digital network and completing a Disaster Response Trailer (DRT) mobile customer service unit.

In addition, the Verizon Wireless network team of "Test Men and Women" engineers has been rolling across the state in its fleet of test vehicles to fine tune its all-digital network and ensure reliable, comprehensive coverage in special preparation for the upcoming storm season, as well as throughout the year.

"We're not going to let our guard down, because wireless communication is so important during emergencies," said

Additional highlights of the Verizon Wireless 2008 Hurricane Season preparation and network enhancement include:

     -- A comprehensive emergency response plan, including preparing emergency
        command centers across the state in the case of a storm or other
        crisis.
     -- Erecting during the past year over 100 new digital cell sites, of
        which about 95 percent have their own on-site generators.
     -- Verizon Wireless network technicians (who serve as the inspiration for
        the famous TV Test Man) have traveled more than 6,650 miles across the
        state this past year in their fleet of test vehicles ($250,000 each
        equipped with phones, wireless data devices and computers to measure
        the quality of voice and data calls on Verizon Wireless and other
        carriers.)
     -- The company also has a fleet of dozens of Cells on Wheels (COWS) and
        Cells on Light Trucks (COLTS), and generators on trailers (GOaTS) that
        can be rolled into hard-hit locations or areas that need extra network
        capacity.
     -- Pre-arranging fuel delivery to mobile units and generators to keep the
        network operating at full strength even if power is lost for an
        extended period of time.
     -- The company has expanded its EV-DO wireless broadband network,
        including launching its highest-speed Rev. A network throughout the
        state.

These new technologies, facilities and other network-strengthening efforts are part of an investment exceeding $815 million in the state over the past eight years. Nationally, in that time period, Verizon Wireless has spent about $45 billion to enhance its digital wireless network.

Verizon Wireless offers residents along the coast of the Tarheel State these tips to be safer during hurricanes and other times of crisis:

     -- Keep wireless phone batteries fully charged -- in case local power is
        lost -- well before warnings are issued.
     -- Have additional charged batteries and car-charger adapters available
        for back-up power.
     -- Keep phones, batteries, chargers and other equipment in a dry,
        accessible location.
     -- Maintain a list of emergency phone numbers -- police, fire, and rescue
        agencies; power companies; insurance providers; family, friends and
        co-workers; etc. -- and program them into your phone.
     -- Distribute wireless phone numbers to family members and friends.
     -- Forward your home phone calls to your wireless number if you will be
        away from your home or have to evacuate.
    The company also urges the following actions once a storm is on the way:
     -- Limit non-emergency calls to conserve battery power and free-up
        wireless networks for emergency agencies and operations.
     -- Send brief TXT messages rather than voice calls for the same reasons
        as above.
     -- Check weather and news reports available on many internet-connected
        and other wireless phones applications when power is out.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com . To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia .