MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., May 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In readiness for the 2010 outdoor concert season, Verizon Wireless has activated a temporary cell site in Bethel, NY, adding network coverage and capacity in the Village of Bethel and at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

The cell-on-light-truck (or COLT) is a fully functional, generator-powered mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity, allowing more customers to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls, surf the Internet, update social networking sites, send and receive text and picture messages, and download apps, music, and games. Desktop and laptop computer users will even be able to use MobileBroadband, the company's wireless broadband service, to surf the Web at high speeds.

"Whether they're looking up a song title, updating their Facebook status, tweeting on a performance, or sending a picture to a friend, our customers take full advantage of their wireless service to capture the moment during concerts, significantly increasing traffic on our local network," said Gene Fassett, executive director of Network for Verizon Wireless' Upstate New York Region. "By activating this temporary cell site, our network is prepared to handle the increased activity that comes with large gatherings. We anticipate a big surge in voice calls, Internet access, and text messages and picture messages as concert goers use their wireless devices to capture and share the events."

The temporary cell site is part of the company's aggressive multi-billion dollar network investment each year to stay ahead of the growing demand for Verizon Wireless' voice and data services. The company has invested more than $50 billion nationwide since it was formed - $5.5 billion on average every year - including more than $1.2 billion in Upstate New York. Verizon Wireless invested more than $100 million in the region in 2009. Verizon Wireless' mobile cell sites are on constant standby to provide additional wireless network capacity and coverage in emergencies and at highly attended scheduled events.

B-Roll:

B-roll and high-quality still photographs of Verizon Wireless' fleet of COLTs can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving nearly 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 81,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless