ST. LOUIS, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To aid customers and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Tuesday's devastating tornado, Verizon Wireless is sending a COLT, or "cell on light truck," to provide emergency wireless calling capacity and coverage in and around Harrisburg, Ill.

The COLT will provide network coverage to Verizon Wireless customers in some of the hardest hit areas in and around Harrisburg so that they can contact family, friends and loved ones.

A COLT, or "cell on light truck," is a fully functional, mobile cell site that enhances wireless capacity in a given area, thereby enabling customers in the area to use their wireless phones concurrently to make calls; send and receive email and text, picture and video messages; access the Internet; while enjoying clearer reception and fewer dropped calls.

Additionally, the Marion, Ill. Verizon Wireless store will offer the emergency communication resources such as free Internet access and in-store use of 4G LTE tablets, so residents impacted by the recent storms can contact family and friends at no cost. Customers can also use a battery charging station that allows users of any carrier to charge their smartphones and other wireless devices.

The Verizon Wireless store is located at 2901 West Deyoung Street in Marion. The store is open 9:00 a.m.– 8 p.m. Monday– Saturday and from 12 - 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The store phone number is (618) 997-5770.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's largest 4G LTE network and largest, most reliable 3G network. The company serves 108.7 million total wireless connections, including 92.2 million retail customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with nearly 82,000 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 ].

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Brenda Hill
Verizon Wireless
913-344-2922
[ Brenda.Hill@VerizonWireless.com ]
Twitter: @VZWBrenda

Diana Blair
For Verizon Wireless
314-552-6715
[ dblair@webershandwick.com ]

SOURCE Verizon Wireless

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RELATED LINKS
[ http://www.verizonwireless.com ]

Contributing Sources

Market Wire

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Verizon Wireless Providing Emergency Communication Resources in Harrisburg, Illinois

Verizon Wireless Providing Emergency Communication Resources in Harrisburg, Illinois

COLT, "cell on light truck," install will help customers stay connected after tornado