Verizon Wireless technicians have deployed a high-tech Cell on Wheels (COW) at Tropicana Field to ensure championship-caliber wireless service for the thousands of fans, media and baseball officials as the Tampa Bay Rays play in their first championship series versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

The COW features a 75-foot telescoping antenna and 11 dedicated voice and high-speed data channels, each of which can handle hundreds of phone calls and data transmissions simultaneously. The unit will strengthen the already robust Verizon Wireless network in the stadium area and throughout Tampa Bay during the expected spike in wireless calls; text, picture and video messages; Internet connections; and other wireless traffic as the home team chases its first championship crown.

"We field the best network and team of technicians every day for our customers across the state," said Frank Wise, Florida region network director for Verizon Wireless. "Deploying this COW is like bringing in your closer to lock up the big game."

During the recent series in Tampa Bay, Verizon Wireless boosted call capacity for the high-tech wireless transmission site that resides inside "The Trop." Other cell sites that surround the ballpark also were enhanced to ensure strong service.

The Verizon Wireless network utilizes the most advanced 3G high-speed Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) wireless technology, allowing 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 songs over-the-air; VZ Navigator(SM), a location-based service offering maps, audible driving directions, traffic updates, gas station locations/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 download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment -- the equivalent of a small PowerPoint(R) 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 more than $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.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 70,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: .