Brittany Crocker

Knoxville News Sentiel

As first responders continue their search for a missing hiker near Andrew Bald Mountain in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area of Tennessee, Verizon Wireless has deployed a portable cell phone tower to Andrews Bald to assist with search efforts.

Mitzie Sue "Susan" Clements, 53, of Cleves, Ohio, was last seen about 5 p.m. Tuesday on the Forney Ridge Trail, approximately a quarter-mile from Andrews Bald, after she and her daughter separated.

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SPOT (Satellite Pico Cell on a Trailer) is a mobile cell site that utilizes satellite connectivity to provide wireless service for those engaged in these ongoing efforts.

The SPOT features a 30-foot antenna mast with the satellite dish on top of the trailer, which includes a portable mini-satellite dish to provide additional wireless service for first responders searching in remote areas where reception could be spotty.

The SPOT is part of Verizon’s fleet of mobile assets that can be quickly deployed for a large event, emergency or natural disaster.