BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- With Monday's upcoming launch of Verizon Wireless' third generation (3G) wide-area BroadbandAccess network in 14 major metropolitan areas and 24 airports in the United States, Verizon Wireless is offering large enterprises, small-medium businesses and mobile professionals the fastest commercially-available wide-area fully mobile data experience in the nation.
BroadbandAccess allows customers to conduct business anywhere in the BroadbandAccess coverage area via a secure, true high-speed data connection with typical user download speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps).
BroadbandAccess is powered in part by CDMA2000 1xEV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3G wireless equipment from Nortel Networks(NYSE:NT) (TSX:NT). As part of the network build nationwide, Nortel Networks upgraded Verizon Wireless' existing base stations and modules and provided associated services.
"Nortel Networks is pleased to assist Verizon Wireless in expanding its BroadbandAccess network to enterprise customers who want 3G service today," said Pascal Debon, president, Wireless Networks, Nortel Networks. "This service launch is another proof point that 3G has arrived in the United States and that Nortel Networks technology is helping to make it a reality."
BroadbandAccess was initially launched in three markets - Washington D.C. and San Diego in October 2003 and Las Vegas in July 2004 - and is currently being deployed in more than 11 additional markets and 20 additional airports from coast to coast. In addition to the initial three markets, business customers can now use BroadbandAccess in Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Kansas City, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo.; Los Angeles; Miami; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Milwaukee; New York; Philadelphia; Tampa and West Palm Beach, Fla.
Verizon Wireless plans to deploy the technology in additional markets by the end of 2004, giving BroadbandAccess a national coverage of 75 million people. Market expansions will continue through 2005.
BroadbandAccess allows enterprise customers to access information when they are out of the office at broadband-like speeds. BroadbandAccess customers can download a 1 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.
"Nortel Networks has been a great partner in helping Verizon Wireless deploy BroadbandAccess, delivering proven equipment in our efforts to expand the fastest commercially available wireless network in the nation today," said Dick Lynch, executive vice president and chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless. "With Nortel Networks support, we are continuing to build on our strategy to provide business and individual customers superior voice and data networks in the United States."
Verizon Wireless
Nortel Networks Ltd.