VZ is in trials with a new non-line-of-sight BBFW
system to deliver internet access to places that can't be
reached via DSL. Presently, they're using fiber backhaul
but, if these trials are successful, I could easily see
them complementing this with Altium for backhaul (in
places where they would otherwise have to install new
fiber capacity).... Altium is quicker and cheaper to install
than fiber and so would offer a faster payback.
Rob
Monday August 5, 8:32 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Verizon Communications
Verizon Trial in Northern Virginia to Evaluate Wireless
Technology to Deliver Broadband Access
Technology Provided by BeamReach Networks Initially
Targeted At Expanding Availability of Broadband
Internet Access
NEW YORK, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon is testing
the ability of a new wireless technology to deliver
broadband communications services to consumers
and business customers in Northern Virginia's Fairfax
County.
In the field trial, the technology -- known as broadband
fixed wireless -- is being tested to determine if it can
supplement and expand the ongoing delivery of
Verizon's digital subscriber line (DSL) high-speed
Internet access service, currently provided over copper-
wire systems. The wireless system is designed to
deliver speeds up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbs) up
to five miles from the system's distribution antenna.
This would be a significant complement to Verizon's
delivery of Internet access services via DSL, which is
currently limited to homes and businesses within
18,000 feet of telephone central offices.
"We are always looking at economically sound
investment strategies for deploying high-speed Internet
access services. If this new technology works as
designed, we can greatly expand the availability of
Internet access and other products to our customers,"
said Mark Wegleitner, Verizon's chief technology officer.
"We are testing this technology to examine its ability to
provide our customers with the same functionality,
quality of service and reliability of the current copper-
wire based product. The obvious benefit here is that
we'll be able to reach more customers."
The Verizon trial uses a wireless technology developed
by BeamReach Networks of Sunnyvale, Calif. Verizon
owns an equity stake in BeamReach.
The BeamReach system used in the Verizon trial has a
centrally located base station with an antenna and
receivers placed at customers' homes or businesses.
In the field trial, the Internet access service is being
distributed over approximately a five-mile radius on a
Wireless Communications Services frequency band
(2.3GHz). Verizon has placed two base stations in
cellular tower sites in the communities of Herndon and
Centerville. The base stations are connected to Verizon
central offices via fiber-optic circuits.
Unlike earlier wireless broadband access
technologies, the new technology does not need line-
of-sight access to deliver Internet access to a
customer, allowing the signal to pass through or
around foliage and other obstructions.
The trial began July 18 and is expected to continue until
the end of the year. Initially, the trial will provide Internet
access to approximately 50 Verizon employees in
Fairfax County. Later this year, the trial will be expanded
to include up to 50 Verizon customers. Verizon selected
Fairfax County for the trial because it offers a wide
variety of terrain and foliage, as well as a high density
of dwellings.
"In addition to evaluating how this technology works
with customers, we'll be looking closely at a wide range
of related issues, including how we provision the
service, integration of the technology into our
operations support systems, and the tracking of service
quality," said Brian Whitton, Verizon executive director-
network platform evolution. "We want to ensure that the
fixed wireless system can deliver the high quality that
our customers expect from their broadband access
service."
If the trial proves successful by the end of this year,
Verizon will consider wider-scale deployment to begin
serving customers in 2003.
Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ - News) is one of
the world's leading providers of communications
services. Verizon companies are the largest providers
of wireline and wireless communications in the United
States, with 135.1 million access line equivalents and
approximately 30.3 million wireless customers. Verizon
is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With
more than $67 billion in annual revenues and nearly
241,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends
to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe,
Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon,
visit verizon.com.
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