DENVER, United States—Verizon Wireless became the first nationwide U.S. carrier to commercially launch cdma2000 1x services this week as it unveiled its Express Network in a select number of markets.
The nation’s largest operator said the next-generation services initially will be available to digital customers along the East Coast from Virginia to southern Maine; the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, California; and the Salt Lake City, Utah, area in time for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
While the initial rollout will only encompass 53 million of Verizon Wireless’ more than 200 million covered potential customers, company spokesman Jeffrey Nelson said the company expects to aggressively roll out in additional markets throughout the year, covering more than half its digital footprint by the end of the third quarter.
Verizon Wireless’ 1x network launch beats rival Sprint PCS’ planned launch of its 1x service later this year, although Sprint PCS has said it will launch nationwide instead of market by market as Verizon Wireless is doing. GSM operators AT&T Wireless Services, Cingular Wireless and VoiceStream Wireless launched competing General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data networks last year, although throughput speeds are not expected to approach those of 1x.
Ericsson said it signed a contract to deploy cdma2000 equipment throughout Verizon Wireless’ 1xRTT Express network for services such as high-bandwidth Internet access and e-mail. Ericsson will provide integrated policy management, profile definition and the ability to offer a range of differentiated services.
