Verizon Wireless, on Friday, completed its first successful Long Term
Evolution (LTE) fourth generation (4G) data call in Boston announced that it had
earlier completed the first LTE 4G data call in Seattle. They are expecting to launch their fast data network in 100 markets in 2010.
The successful data calls involved streaming
video, file uploads and downloads, and Web browsing. Significantly,
Verizon Wireless has successfully made data calls using Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable voice transmissions over the LTE 4G
network.
In collaboration with its network infrastructure providers, the
wireless leader's successful completion of the data calls over its 700
MHz spectrum in Boston and Seattle marks the next step in its
deployment for building its LTE 4G wireless network, which is being
built on the 3GPP Release 8 standard. In both locations, the data
calls were executed on commercial infrastructure platforms.
Technology partners helping to enable data calls in these initial
markets include Alcatel-Lucent (Boston) and Ericsson (Seattle) for base
station/radio access network, LG and Samsung for trial devices, and
Starent Networks and Nokia Siemens Networks for network equipment.
Devices from LG and Samsung will soon be supplemented by devices from
ST Ericsson, Motorola and Qualcomm.
Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technical officer at
Verizon Wireless, said, "Verizon Wireless, with outstanding cooperation
from our partner suppliers, is fully committed to harnessing the power
of LTE over our 700 MHz spectrum. This combination of state-of-the-art
technology and prime spectrum will soon make a ubiquitous, highly
mobile, super fast broadband experience a reality for customers. This
significant milestone in our LTE 4G network testing, exemplified by the
first data calls in Boston and Seattle, further validates our early
support and decision to select LTE as the standard for our
next-generation wireless broadband network."
Boston and Seattle each now have 10 LTE 4G cell sites up and running
on the 700 MHz spectrum. These LTE 4G markets were selected by network
planners due to their geographic configuration of suburban and urban
areas, as well as the areas' high technology- population. The trials
will help Verizon Wireless and its LTE 4G network partners understand
issues that include how to best prepare cell sites and how to add the
new technology to the network.
Verizon Wireless expects to commercially launch its LTE 4G network
in up to 30 markets in 2010, covering 100 million people. In
subsequent years, an equally aggressive growth plan will result in full
nationwide coverage in 2013.
For more information about Verizon Wireless' LTE 4G network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.