Verizon broadband wireless 3G service adds new cities; 3G media service to launch Feb. 1

- by Gary Thayer, News Editor

Atlanta, Jan. 7, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Verizon Wireless today launched its Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) third generation (3G) network, along with its high-speed wireless data service, called BroadbandAccess, in 12 new cities.

The new cities are: Chicago; Houston; Boston; New Orleans, Phoenix; Cincinnati; Columbus and Dayton (Ohio); Providence; Orlando; Jacksonville; Hartford and New Haven, CT.

The carrier also announced it has made major expansions in its existing 3G markets, including New York City; Newark; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Atlanta; Miami, Tampa and West Palm Beach; Baltimore; Kansas City; and Milwaukee areas.

In addition to the above, other cities where BroadbandAccess has been available are Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Las Vegas, Madison, WI, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.

BroadbandAccess costs $80 monthly for unlimited use with a one- or two-year customer agreement. For a limited time, Verizon Wireless customers with unlimited use data plans can buy the BroadbandAccess PC 5220 card for $50 with a two-year customer agreement or $100 with a one-year customer agreement after $150 mail in rebate.

Verizon Wireless also announced the company is launching VCAST, its first third-generation (3G) wireless multimedia service - beginning February 1, 2005. VCAST will bring high- quality video, 3-D games and music straight to new 3G phones that will run on the Verizon Wireless broadband EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3G network.

For $15 monthly access in addition to their regular Verizon Wireless calling plan, VCAST customers will get unlimited access to more than 300 daily updated videos from leading content providers, and also receive unlimited browsing of its Mobile Web 2.0 news and information service, according to Verizon. Cstomers can also choose from premium content for an additional cost, including 3-D games, music videos and other premium channels.

The featured phone for VCAST is the new LG VX8000 phone. The VX8000 has a 1.3 mega-pixel camera with 10X digital zoom and embedded flash. Customers can capture 15-second videos and still photos and send them to other Verizon Wireless customers with video messaging-capable phones or any e-mail address.

Recent Related Stories:

Samsung ships Verizon's first 3G devices (TechWeb)

3G wireless broadband for small businesses (Network World)

Cingular to start building high-speed 3G network

Orange consumer 3G arrives (The Register)

Verizon adds Audiovox's new Pocket PC

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