Verizon Expands Wireless Data Network

Verizon Wireless has signed agreeements with Lucent Technologies and Nortel Networks to expand its high speed data network. The agreement with Nortel is for two years and worth US$167 million, while the agreement with Lucent is for three years and worth US$525 million.

Earlier this year, Verizon Wireless announced that, beginning later this year, it plans to make BroadbandAccess service available throughout additional portions of its national footprint. BroadbandAccess is powered by a CDMA2000(R) 1xEV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3G technology.

Nortel Networks was a primary supplier in San Diego for Verizon Wireless' initial commercial deployment of BroadbandAccess in October 2003. Nortel Networks will upgrade existing base stations throughout the network with new Metro Cell base stations, modules, and associated services.

Lucent will upgrade existing Lucent base stations with 1xEV-DO Modem Cards and software and provide 1xEV-DO-enabled Flexent Modular Cell 4.0 base stations as required. Verizon Wireless will also upgrade its core network utilizing Lucent supplied 1xEV-DO Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) and Element Management Systems. Lucent Worldwide Services will provide network installation, integration, and optimization services. Powered by an Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) third generation (3G) wide-area network, BroadbandAccess offers the fastest, fully mobile wireless data experience in the nation today, with average user speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps). BroadbandAccess is based on CDMA technology, a digital wireless technology commercially developed by Qualcomm. Because it is backward compatible, customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess area with an EV-DO device will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless' existing NationalAccess network, based on 1xRTT technology."

Posted to the site on 23rd March 2004