BC: WIRELESS I-NET
This service might be an alternative to
2-way satellite i-net access in rural areas
Monday April 1, 2:08 pm Eastern Time
Reuters
Verizon Wireless to Expand Advanced Service
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless operator, said Monday it will launch its advanced wireless service, capable of high-speed Internet connections, in Chicago, Pittsburgh and St. Louis on Tuesday.
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The company, which also plans to announce Tuesday the launch of the service in 10 more cities, which it did not name, first rolled it out in January in areas from Boston to Virginia on the East Coast, and the Silicon Valley, Salt Lake City and San Francisco Bay area in the West.
Verizon Wireless was the first nationwide carrier in the United States to deploy Qualcomm Inc.'s (QCOM - news) next-generation technology, called CDMA2000 1X, which promises always-connected high-speed Internet.
By contrast, current digital networks require consumers to dial up for an Internet connection.
The service, called Express Network, initially provides Internet and intranet access and traditional e-mail via laptop computers and personal digital assistants. Typical speeds are about 60 to 80 kilobits per second but can be as fast as 144 kbps.
Verizon Wireless expects to eventually offer more services such as office functions and cell phones that can surf the Internet like desktop computers.
The company said customers can pay an extra $30 a month to use minutes from their voice plans for data. Heavy data users can also choose from five rate plans based on actual data usage. These include $35 per month for 10 megabytes or $55 per month for 20 MB.
The Express Network can be accessed through Sierra Wireless AirCard 555, which can be plugged directly into a laptop computer, or theKyocera 2235, a cell phone that can act as a modem via a cable. The AirCard costs $299.99 and the Kyocera phone costs $79.99. |
