Verizon Wireless Customers Are Covered During Tornado And Storm Season

Company Installs Backup Generators at Cell Sites

SOUTHFIELD, MI — Verizon Wireless has installed permanent backup generators at nearly 90 percent of its cell sites in Michigan, ensuring its customers can continue to communicate during power outages caused by tornados, flooding and other natural disasters.

The backup generators, which cost about $35,000 each, enable Verizon Wireless’ network to remain operational in times of emergency when power goes out. Verizon Wireless’ network team members deploy portable generators in an emergency to the cell sites that do not have permanent backup generators – mostly due to environmental or location reasons – so that these remain operational as well.

“Network reliability is the No. 1 reason that customers choose and stay with Verizon Wireless,” said Greg Haller, president–Michigan/Indiana/Kentucky region, Verizon Wireless. “We build redundancy into our network so that our customers can depend on us every time they pick up their wireless devices – particularly in times of emergency.”

Installation of these permanent generators is part of Verizon Wireless’ continual effort to expand coverage, improve capacity and enhance the quality of its wireless voice and data network in Michigan and throughout the country. Verizon Wireless has invested more than $50 billion since it was formed – $5.5 billion on average every year – to increase the coverage and capacity of its national network and to add new services. Since the company was formed in 2000, Verizon Wireless has invested $1.2 billion on improvements to its network in Michigan.