Verizon & Lucent launch EV-DO Data Services

Monday's upcoming expansion of Verizon Wireless' third-generation (3G) wide-area BroadbandAccess network to include 14 major metropolitan areas and 24 airports across the U.S.

Verizon Wireless is offering its enterprise customers mobile high-speed data services that are changing the way people do business. Developed with a range of users in mind, the BroadbandAccessnetwork allows large enterprises, small-medium businesses and mobile professionals to conduct business anytime, anywhere in the BroadbandAccess coverage area via a secure, true high-speed dataconnection with typical user download speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps).

The BroadbandAccess network is based on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO equipment, software and services provided in part by Lucent Technologies.

Beginning Monday, the BroadbandAccess network will be available in Atlanta; Austin, TX; Baltimore; Kansas City, KS/MO; Los Angeles; Miami/Fort Lauderdale, FL; Milwaukee; New York; Philadelphia; Tampa, FL and West Palm Beach, FL., in addition to Washington, DC, San Diego and Las Vegas and 24 airports from coast to coast.

Lucent, one of Verizon Wireless’s primary network infrastructure suppliers, said it is pleased to support the launch in a significant number of the new markets with equipment, software and services, as well as data and research that is part of Lucent’s Market Advantage Program.

“Lucent has long believed that 3G mobile high-speed data would bring tremendous benefits to businesses of all sizes,” said Lisa De Laurentis, sales vice president at Lucent Technologies. “We congratulate Verizon Wireless on its launch of the BroadbandAccess EV-DO network in these markets. With service available in additional markets, Verizon Wireless’ enterprise customers can access a wide range of applications, and enjoy increased productivity and efficiencies in their operations while on the go.”

BroadbandAccess allows enterprise customers to access information when they are out of the office at speeds that are faster than those offered via any other commercially available wide-area wireless data service in the United States. With data transmission bursts of up to two Megabits per second (Mbps), BroadbandAccess customers can download a one Megabyte e-mail attachment (for example, a small PowerPoint presentation or a large PDF file), or receive three digital pictures (each 400 x 600 pixels) in less than 30 seconds. Customers can also use this high-speed data service to view rich graphic content, video, music and more.

“We continue to build on our strategy to provide business and individual customers superior voice and data networks in the United States,” said Dick Lynch, executive vice president and chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless. “Lucent has been a reliable equipment provider, helping us deploy BroadbandAccess and expand the fastest commercially available wireless network in the nation today.”

Last year, Verizon Wireless and Lucent worked together on the successful commercial launch of the BroadbandAccess service in Washington, D.C. In July 2004, Lucent and Verizon Wireless announced a $5 billion contract for equipment, software and services from Lucent that enables Verizon Wireless to increase the coverage and capacity of the high-speed, wide-area BroadbandAccess data network based on CDMA2000 1xEV-DO technology, as well as its existing next-generation voice network.