Verizon Wireless Launches "Express Network": Upstate New York's First Major Advanced Wireless Network
New High-Speed 3G Wireless Network will Increase Voice Capacity and
Data Speeds
April 1, 2002
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ROCHESTER, NY
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Starting tomorrow, Verizon Wireless customers in
Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton, Jamestown, Elmira-Corning, and the rest of
the company's digital network in Western New York, will be able to reap the
rewards of a significantly faster, more robust wireless experience with the
company's commercial launch of its 1XRTT network. The 1XRTT network - the
first deployment of 3G technology by a wireless company in Upstate New York
- will enhance all levels of wireless communications - from a simple voice
call, to full Internet browsing, streaming video, and email. This high-speed
network also supports enterprise applications, giving companies with mobile
employees tools for increased productivity and efficiency.
The Express Network is Verizon Wireless' 1XRTT data network, capable
of data transmission speeds up to 144 kilobits per second (kbps). Business
customers and individual consumers using Express Network can expect
high-speed wireless data and robust Internet access at average speeds
between 40 and 60 kbps, and may experience speeds up to 144 kbps. By using
the new Verizon Wireless 2235 handset from Kyocera with a compatible Mobile
Office kit as a modem for their laptops, or by using the AirCard 555 PC card
from Sierra Wireless for their laptops and select PDAs, Express Network
subscribers on the high-speed data network can now have access to their
company network or Internet at faster speeds.
The Express Network will give users full Internet access, intranet access
and traditional email functionality via a laptop at unprecedented speeds for
wireless access. Users should expect average speeds significantly higher
than speeds being produced by competing technologies and comparable to what
PC users get when using a dial-up Internet service at home.
"The rollout of our Express Network is a major expression of our
differentiation in the wireless marketplace: the high quality of our
wireless network," said John Palmer, president of Verizon Wireless' Upstate
New York Region. "Wireless data is only as good as the network it's on, and
the Verizon Wireless network, already the most advanced in the nation, just
took another giant step ahead of its competitors. We will continue expanding
the Express Network, and by the close of 2002 the majority of Verizon
Wireless' nearly 222 million covered POPs should be able to use the Express
Network every day."
Verizon Wireless is the first U.S. wireless carrier to commercially
launch a sizeable 3G footprint, having already made its 1XRTT network
available to customers in areas of the Northeast, from Norfolk, VA,
Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, up to Boston and in
Portland, Maine; in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area of
Northern California; and in Salt Lake City, site of the 2002 Winter
Olympics. With its launch today in Upstate New York, as well as several
metropolitan areas in the Midwest and South, 1XRTT network capabilities are
available in more than one third of the Verizon Wireless nationwide
footprint, reaching more than 72 million Americans.
"Together with the nation's most expansive network, Express Network
gives our customers a strategic advantage as they continue to increasingly
rely on wireless products for their business and personal communications
needs, " said Palmer. "Given the very positive response from the
participants who are already using our 1XRTT network, we are confident that
our high-speed data network will fulfill and exceed our customers'
expectations."
Express Network Pricing
Customers with a monthly digital voice calling plan of $35 or more
can sign up for the Express Network, which lets customers use any of their
airtime allowance minutes for voice or data, for an additional $30 per
month.
Verizon Wireless also recently unveiled a rate plan based on kilobit
usage for business customers using Express Network. Verizon Wireless is
offering five new rate plans starting at $35 per month for 10 MB, $55 per
month for 20 MB, with tiers up to 150 MB of data. Business customers will
pay the same amount, regardless of how long it takes to download the same
amount of data. On the $35 monthly rate plan, customers can download 10 MB
of data-equivalent to thousands of emails, hundreds of Web pages or an
average PowerPoint presentation.
"Our corporate customers who are heavy data users will find value in this
per-kilobit rate plan," said Palmer.
Express Network Equipment
Express Network customers today can purchase the Sierra Wireless
AirCard 555 or the Verizon Wireless 2235 by Kyocera, a 1XRTT data-compatible
wireless handset that acts as a modem, to access the 1XRTT network. With
these devices, customers can add voice, circuit-switched data and short
messaging service capabilities to their laptops, select PDAs, and other
computing devices.
The Sierra Wireless AirCard 555, which retails for $299.99, and the Verizon
Wireless 2235 by Kyocera, which retails for $79.99, are available through
Verizon Wireless corporate sales and in those Communications Stores where
the Express Network is available. The tri-mode wireless handset is a
communications system that includes many attractive features:
voice-activated dialing, a WAP browser, electronic games, two-way text
messaging, and predictive text-input software for rapid text entry. Kyocera
2235 customers will also need a compatible Mobile Office kit, sold
separately for $79.99.
Express Network equipment and service are available through Verizon Wireless
corporate sales, select Communications Stores, or by calling 1-800-308-DATA.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications and Internet services. The company has the largest nationwide wireless network and 29 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Reporters and editors can find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.
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