Plans by Verizon Wireless to install a beefed-up cellular data network throughout the U.S. captured the attention of several corporate IT managers, who said the promised throughput levels could support applications such as sales force automation and streaming video.
Verizon Wireless yesterday said it will begin a phased rollout of its BroadbandAccess third-generation wireless network this year and start offering services nationwide next year. The Bedminster, N.J., company added that the network will cost a total of about $1 billion and support data rates of 300K to 500Kbit/sec., three to four times faster than rival technologies that are available now.
Jeffrey Nelson, a spokesman for Verizon Wireless, said the company plans to offer the services in a "significant portion of our nationwide market this summer," with the nationwide rollout completed in 2005. He declined to identify the specific markets Verizon Wireless plans to serve with BroadBandAccess this year.
Users said Verizon"s move to blanket the country with a network that offers three times the throughput of its competitors could be a compelling reason to switch services from other carriers. Users who are already signed up as customers in Verizon Wireless high-speed test markets in San Diego and Washington said the rollout will support their plans to use the service in other markets.