Verizon Wireless
will continue to work with Lucent Technologies
under a three-year 1xEV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) agreement to provide wireless infrastructure technology for its BroadbandAccess service - which uses Verizon Wireless’ third generation (3G) data network - the fastest commercially available wide-area wireless data service offered in the United States today. During the first two years of this agreement, Verizon Wireless is expected to invest more than $525 million in Lucent’s wireless infrastructure technology to expand BroadbandAccess. Verizon Wireless recently announced that, beginning in 2004, it plans to make BroadbandAccess service available throughout additional portions of its national footprint.
This agreement to provide wireless infrastructure technology for Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess service is supplemental to existing ongoing supply agreements between the two companies. In October 2003, Verizon Wireless commercially deployed its BroadbandAccess service in two key markets with Lucent as the primary supplier in Washington, D.C.

BroadbandAccess is powered by a 3G CDMA2000( 1xEV-DO wide-area network. Under this agreement, 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.

“Given the success of the initial commercial deployment of this high-speed data network and our long-standing relationship with Lucent Technologies, we look forward to working with Lucent again on this industry-leading service,” said Richard Lynch, executive vice president and chief technical officer, Verizon Wireless. “Our customers in Washington, D.C. have told us how BroadbandAccess has improved their productivity and has made them look smart to their customers.”

The BroadbandAccess service 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 2 Megabits per second (Mbps), 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, which is three to four times faster than using EDGE service, and as much as ten times faster than on a GPRS network. Customers can also use this high-speed data service to view rich graphic content, video, music and more.

“We’re excited to take this next step with Verizon Wireless as it expands the BroadbandAccess service nationwide,” said Cindy Christy, president, Mobility Solutions for Lucent Technologies. “The new 1xEV-DO network should quickly enable a whole host of new revenue-generating multimedia services that businesses and consumers are demanding.”

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