Verizon to launch high-speed wireless network

NEW ORLEANS -- Verizon Wireless and Lucent Technologies have announced plans to launch this summer a super-fast Wi-Fi mobile data network in Washington, D.C. that will provide businesses and consumers with data services at speeds of up to 2.4 Megabits per second (Mbps), fast as the fastest wire connections. Plans call for wireless broadband to be installed in hundreds of hotels and 10 airports this year.

The planned launch of this network follows a successful trial of 1xEV-DO technology completed by the two companies in November 2002 that showed businesses and consumers in the D.C. area can expect average data speeds of 300-800 kilobits per second using the 1xEV-DO network supplied by Lucent. This enables Verizon Wireless to provide businesses with secure access to corporate applications stored behind corporate firewalls, and consumers with high-speed Internet access from any location.

The 1xEV-DO service will be supported by hundreds of Verizon wireless hot spots, using the popular Wi-Fi standards, in airports and hotels. Wi-Fi is rapidly gaining popularity across the US because the technology is inexpensive and relatively easy to install. Verizon's Wi-Fi service, which is being developed with Texas-based Wayport, would complement high-speed connections on the mobile phone.

Largest provider

Verizon Wireless is the largest provider in the United States of wireless communications. The launch was announced Verizon and Lucent at CTIA Wireless 2003, the large trade show held this week in New Orleans by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.

"We are pleased to be working with Lucent to offer enterprise customers in D.C. access to wireless data at speeds comparable to most landline connections," said Dick Lynch, executive vice president and chief technical officer for Verizon Wireless. "1xEV-DO provides ideal speeds for a host of applications including remote access to corporate VPNs, intranets, email and large file transfers."

Through an agreement with Wi-Fi network provider Wayport, Verizon Wireless customers will have Wi-Fi access in the hotels and airports where Wayport provides service beginning in late summer. Existing Verizon Wireless customers will sign up for a data-services contract, at a price to be announced.

Verizon Wireless customers will be able to access the high-speed network by equipping their laptop PCs and personal digital assistants (PDAs) with 1xEV-DO wireless modem cards. By providing secure mobile Internet Protocol (IP) virtual private network (VPN) connections on this high-speed data network, business customers can access the Verizon Wireless network as an extension of their corporate local area network (LAN) or intranet, allowing them to work from any location with the same level of speed and security they experience in the office. The 1xEV-DO network can be accessed wherever a cell phone can be used including airports and customer locations.

Positive feedback

"The extremely positive feedback we received from businesses and government agencies participating in the market trial revealed that there is a significant demand for high-quality, high-speed mobile data services," said Jim Brewington, president of Lucent's Mobility Solutions Group. "The 1xEV-DO market trial whetted the appetite of businesses in the D.C. area for mobile 3G high-speed data, and many of them are eager to sign up for the service now."

Verizon Wireless has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 32.5 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone.

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers networks for the world's largest communications service providers.