June 24, 2005

Verizon Wireless continues the expanded coverage of its CDMA2000 1x EV-DO network, launching services in Seattle and Portland/Salem. Ore., and expanded coverage in Atlanta to go along with a handful of new markets launched during 2004.

The carrier now provides its high-speed wireless data service in 43 markets covering more than 100 million potential customers.

Verizon is on schedule to cover more than 150 million pops by the end of the year.

Verizon Wireless began the year by expanding EV-DO network coverage to 32 markets and 75 million pops followed by the launch of its consumer-friendly Vcast service. Since then, the carrier has gradually been turning on additional markets and is expected to announce the next phase of deployments as early as next week.

Verizon Wireless claims the network provides average data speeds of between 400 kilobits per second and 700 kbps with peak speeds up to 2 megabits per second.

Sprint Corp. is expected to launch similar EV-DO capabilities during the next several weeks with plans to cover 60 markets and 130 million pops by early next year.

Cingular Wireless L.L.C. said it plans to offer its UMTS/HSDPA-based high-speed wireless data service in as many as 20 markets by the end of the year.

T-Mobile USA Inc. has said it plans to deploy UMTS services within the next two years pending additional spectrum acquisitions and is expected to expand EDGE capabilities later this year.

Source: RCR News