NEW YORK -- Verizon is testing the ability of a new wireless technology to deliver broadband communications services to consumers and business customers in Northern Virginia's Fairfax County. In the field trial, the technology -- known as broadband fixed wireless -- is being tested to determine if it can supplement and expand the ongoing delivery of Verizon's digital subscriber line (DSL) high-speed Internet access service, currently provided over copper-wire systems. The wireless system is designed to deliver speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbs) up to five miles from the system's distribution antenna. This would be a significant complement to Verizon's delivery of Internet access services via DSL, which is currently limited to homes and businesses within 18,000 feet of telephone central offices. "We are always looking at economically sound investment strategies for deploying high-speed Internet access services. If this new technology works as designed, we can greatly expand the availability of Internet access and other products to our customers," said Mark Wegleitner, Verizon's chief technology officer. "We are testing this technology to examine its ability to provide our customers with the same functionality, quality of service and reliability of the current copper-wire based product. The obvious benefit here is that we'll be able to reach more customers."The Verizon trial uses a wireless technology developed by BeamReach Networks of Sunnyvale, Calif. Verizon owns an equity stake in BeamReach.If the trial proves successful by the end of this year, Verizon will consider wider-scale deployment to begin serving customers in 2003.Verizon Communications Inc.BeamReach Networks