Rays Fans, Callers Get Sign To ‘Swing Away’

Verizon Wireless Boosts Network at ‘The Trop’ During Playoffs To Ensure Big League Coverage.

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay Rays third-base coach Tom Foley isn’t the only one making sure his signals are clear during the Rays’ first-ever playoff run. Teams of Verizon Wireless technicians have been boosting network coverage in and around Tropicana Field to ensure championship-caliber wireless service for the thousands of fans, media and baseball officials expected to be on-hand.

For the series versus the Boston Red Sox beginning today, Verizon Wireless is boosting call capacity for the high-tech wireless transmission site that resides inside “The Trop.” In addition, cell sites that surround the ballpark will be enhanced to ensure strong service as fans and media make millions of voice calls, send text and picture messages and other wireless transmissions before, during and after the games.

These sites utilize multiple voice and high-speed data channels, each of which can handle hundreds of phone calls and data transmissions simultaneously.

If the Rays advance, additional COWs (Cells on Wheels), COLTs (Cells on Light Trucks) and other resources likely will be deployed as the Rays and the Verizon Wireless network perform under baseball’s brightest lights.

The Verizon Wireless network utilizes the most advanced 3G high-speed wireless technology (EV-DO Rev. A), which allows customers to enjoy clearer call reception and faster speeds when sending text or multimedia messages. It also complements more advanced wireless services, such as V CAST, which allows customers to stream video clips, play cutting-edge 3D games and download full-song tracks over-the-air; VZ Navigator(SM), a location-based service offering maps, audible driving directions, traffic updates, gas station locations and pricing; and the newest, most reliable Push to Talk technology.

Customers using the company’s BroadbandAccess data service to wirelessly access their e-mail and calendars, the Internet and other information, can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps. At those speeds, customers can upload or download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment – the equivalent of a small PowerPoint® presentation or a large PDF file – in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds.

Boosting coverage at “The Trop” throughout the post-season is part of the company’s continuing investment to expand coverage, increase capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $1.8 billion in Florida and $45 billion nationally since the company was formed. The company spent more than $250 million to enhance services and coverage in Florida during the past 18 months.