VERIZON ROLLOUT: NOT JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE

If the mobile industry went down to New Orleans looking for proof that innovation can still push big carriers forward, Verizon Wireless provided some hope. Though 2.5G data technologies such as CDMA 1XRTT haven't left users panting for more advanced services, Verizon thinks those users — particularly the ones in corporate enterprises — are ready for something better. The carrier announced at CTIA's Wireless 2003 that it will offer services based on CDMA2000 1X EV-DO in its Washington, D.C., and San Diego markets in the third quarter this year.

EV-DO is the next step up from 1XRTT in mobile data, supporting roughly 2.4 Mb/s of bandwidth. While consumers in both cities will be able to buy EV-DO devices, Verizon's sights are clearly set on the enterprise users in these markets. Concurrent with the EV-DO announcement, Verizon launched Wireless Office, a suite of general and customized services for the enterprise that includes mobile voice, Internet/intranet access, e-mail, personal information management and other features for corporate users. The Wireless Office initiative also included new Samsung and Kyocera PDAs and Research-In-Motion's latest BlackBerry device.

Though many of the Wireless Office services are compatible with Verizon's broadly-deployed 1XRTT data networks, the real value of the initiative — and Verizon's eventual push into EV-DO networking — will come from more customized enterprise data solutions, said Cindy Patterson, vice president of enterprise data sales at Verizon Wireless.

“Enterprises may start in wireless with corporate e-mail access, but with technology like EV-DO, they will quickly move on to better stuff,” she said. This includes applications such as high-resolution video and workgroup collaboration that could be targeted at vertical industry markets or even specific enterprises, she said.

Patterson suggested that EV-DO wireless access could supplant the need for DSL or cable modem service among some telecommuting employees. Patterson's division includes vertical market-focused sales teams that work with corporate enterprise IT managers to qualify specific devices and help customize applications.

Verizon's decision to announce the limited EV-DO launch followed six-month trial on the Washington, D.C., network using network gear from Lucent Technologies; a separate trial on the West Coast used Nortel Networks EV-DO equipment. In the Washington evaluation, about 200 enterprise users tested the network. About 80% of those users said they thought the technology allowed them increased efficiency, productivity and accessibility, according to Verizon and Lucent.

Along with the EV-DO and enterprise mobile service suite, Verizon also announced a partnership with independent hot spot operator Wayport to offer Wi-Fi service and complementary access between wireless LAN and WAN services in the third quarter. The service complements Verizon's EV-DO plans and gambles on the idea that enterprise users will consume any type of high-speed wireless data you put in front of them.

Regarding these announcements, Dick Lynch, executive vice president and chief technical officer of Verizon Wireless, said, “EV-DO and Wi-Fi gives us something in terms of services to offer enterprises that other carriers can't match right now.”