Verizon Wireless adds push e-mail to enterprise portfolio

Building on its relationship with Intellisync, Verizon Wireless is launching the synchronization software developer's push e-mail solution as part of a major enterprise initiative.

Verizon Wireless will be offering push e-mail to all classes of businesses and enterprise, but so far is only supporting two handsets, PalmOne's new Treo 650 and the Samsung SCH i730, which isn't scheduled for release until later this summer. The service builds on the Intellisync's static e-mail and PIM synchronization platform Verizon Wireless launched last year targeting mobile professionals. The new services, however, provide two tiers of support: a work group solution that integrates with a company's Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Domino servers or a full-fledged Enterprise server, which can scale up to 5000 users.

These new behind-the-firewall solutions are obviously designed to tap into the success of Research in Motion's Blackberry line, but while its data service will compete with RIM, Verizon Wireless is not only continuing its partnership with the mobile e-mail giant, but is also making the new enterprise class push e-mail service available to Blackberry users. Verizon will charge $30 a month for 10 MB of data traffic, and $50 for unlimited usage before any group-sales or promotional discounts.

Verizon is also changing its pricing plans for data access in another strategic move to bring in more enterprise business. Its NationalAccess data card service--which runs over its nationally available 1X network--has dropped from $80 to $60 a month, while its BroadbandAccess plan--which adds access to its growing EV-DO network--remains $80 a month.