Verizon Wireless announced it has extended its agreement with Motorola Inc. to include upgrades to existing 1x Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision 0 sites and incremental upgrades to CDMA 1xRTT sites to 1x EV-DO Revision A.
In separate news, the company has added new devices for users – the BlackBerry 8703e and additional Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks – with integrated wireless technology that uses Verizon Wireless EV-DO network.
CDMA 1x EV-DO Rev. A offers faster downlink speeds and enhances the uplink data speeds for wireless broadband data users, providing new QoS features needed to support simultaneous video, voice and data applications. CDMA 1xRTT and 1x EV-DO technology are used in many regions of the world, including North America, Japan, Korea, China and many countries in Southeast Asia, serving more than 275 million subscribers.
Verizon Wireless owns and operates a wireless network serving 54.8 million voice and data customers.
Verizon Wireless also announced an agreement with Research In Motion (RIM) for the mid-September launch of the new BlackBerry 8703e operating on Verizon Wireless EV-DO network. The BlackBerry 8703e offers push e-mail, Web browsing and other mobile data applications, together with mobile phone features, including dedicated phone keys, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, built-in speakerphone for conference calls and hands-free use, and Bluetooth support for use with headsets and car kits.
Finally, the mobile operator announced the availability of Lenovo’s ThinkPad notebooks preconfigured to access Verizon’s EV-DO network. Verizon Wireless and Lenovo introduced the first notebooks with integrated EV-DO technology a year ago. Today, business customers can choose from a selection of ThinkPad notebooks, including the R60, T60, X60 and Z61 widescreen models. Users can capitalize on Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess service with Access Connections, a ThinkVantage Technology on ThinkPads, to help automatically switch location-specific settings, including IP settings and defining default printers, when changing between wired and wireless network connections.
Both the BlackBerry 8703e and laptops take advantage of BroadbandAccess Connect, Verizon Wireless’ broadband service to download data at speeds averaging 400-700kbps. Customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess coverage area will switch seamlessly to Verizon Wireless 1xRTT NationalAccess network to remain connected while on the road.
BroadbandAccess Connect is available to BlackBerry 8703e customers for $15 monthly access in conjunction with a qualifying voice plan and unlimited data plan; or $30 monthly access in conjunction with an unlimited data plan.
The BlackBerry 8703e is available from Verizon Wireless for $349.99 with a new two-year customer agreement beginning on Sunday, Sept. 17 online and through Verizon Wireless business sales channels on Monday, Sept. 18. It will be available though Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in October.
Customers with BroadbandAccess-enabled ThinkPad notebooks can sign up for Verizon Wireless session pricing or a monthly service plan online, directly from their notebook. Session pricing is offered for $15 per 24-hour session service. Customers interested in monthly service with any monthly Verizon Wireless voice plan can receive unlimited BroadbandAccess for $59.99 monthly access with a two-year customer agreement. For nonvoice customers, BroadbandAccess is available for $79.99 monthly access for unlimited Internet browsing, e-mail and intranet access with a one- or two-year customer agreement.
Motorola www.motorola.com
Verizon Wireless www.verizonwireless.com
Research In Motion www.rim.com
