As part of the run up to hurricane season, Verizon Wireless has deployed a team of “test men” across the state in high-tech vehicles to test the company’s mobile phone network.

Teams of engineers use specially outfitted vehicles to simulate voice and data transmissions and test the results around the Carolinas.

“They test all kinds of performance indicators to ensure we deliver the best wireless service available,” said Karen Schulz, Verizon Wireless spokesperson.

“They have automated machinery in the cars they drive and those machines constantly test the network, making calls and performs data functions, just like you were checking your email.”

In addition to testing the network performance, crews are checking the backup systems on every Verizon tower.

There are battery backups at every cell site to provide power in the case of an interruption and the majority of towers have generator backup as well, explained Schulz.

“Part of our regular maintenance is to test those battery backups and generators.”

In the case of the destruction of a tower or other severe damage, Verizon also has a fleet of colorfully named portable backup equipment that can be set up to reestablish service.

They’re called “cells on wheels (COWs), cells on light trucks (COLTs) and generators on a truck (GOATs),” Schulz said.

“Any time we have a cell site that has been damaged by a natural disaster, we can mobilize the mobile towers and generators.”

This equipment was recently deployed to Tennessee after the severe flooding. “We sent a COW, COLT, Goat and mobile stores to Tennessee to deal with the floods,” Shulz said.

It is also sometimes used when a large crowd would tax the existing mobile infrastructure.  “When we expect any large crowds or an increase in wireless traffic, we can deploy a mobile.”

For extreme cases, Verizon has mobile retail stores that can be set up after a disaster. “The stores have charging stations, batteries and do anything we can do in a regular brick and mortar store,” Schulz said.