News

Verizon Wireless Launches Nation'’s First Major Advanced Wireless Network: The Verizon Wireless Express Network

Announces Relationship with Accenture; Introduces Kyocera 2235 and the Sierra Wireless AirCard® 555

January 28, 2002 - BEDMINSTER, NJ - Starting today, Verizon Wireless customers in major East and West Coast markets will be able to reap the rewards of a significantly faster, more robust wireless experience with the company’s commercial launch of its 1XRTT network. The 1XRTT network will enhance all levels of wireless communications- from a simple voice call, to full Internet browsing, streaming video, and email. This high-speed network also supports enterprise applications, giving companies with mobile employees tools for increased productivity and efficiency.

The company is the first U.S. wireless carrier to commercially launch a sizeable 3G footprint. The 1XRTT network is available now to customers in areas of the Northeast U.S., from Norfolk, VA, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, up to Boston and in Portland, Maine; in the technology-savvy Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California; and in Salt Lake City, site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. 1XRTT network capabilities are already available in more than 20 percent of the Verizon Wireless footprint, reaching more than 53 million Americans.

The Express Network is Verizon Wireless’ 1XRTT data network, capable of data transmission speeds up to 144 kilobits per second (kbps). Business customers and individual consumers in Express Network markets may take advantage of high wireless data speeds and robust Internet access by using the new Verizon Wireless 2235 handset from Kyocera with a compatible Mobile Office kit as a modem for their laptops, or by using the AirCard 555 PC card from Sierra Wireless, for their laptops and select PDAs. Express Network subscribers on the high-speed data network can now have access to their company network or Internet at faster speeds.

The Express Network will give users full Internet access, intranet access and traditional email functionality via a laptop at unprecedented speeds for wireless access. Users should expect average speeds between 40 and 60 kbps, significantly higher than speeds being produced by competing technologies and comparable to what PC users get when using a dial-up Internet service at home.

"The rollout of our Express Network is a major expression of our differentiation in the wireless marketplace: the high quality of our wireless network," said Verizon Wireless chief technical officer Dick Lynch. "Wireless data is only as good as the network it’s on, and the premier Verizon Wireless network, already the most advanced in the nation, just took another giant step ahead of its competitors." Lynch added, "We will continue expansion of the Express Network, and by the close of 2002 the majority of the nearly 222 million covered POPs should be able to use the Express Network every day."

"Together with the nation’s most expansive network, Express Network gives our customers a strategic advantage as they continue to increasingly rely on wireless products for their business and personal communications needs, " said Lowell McAdam, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Verizon Wireless. "Given the very positive response from the participants who previewed the 1XRTT network this fall, we are confident that our high-speed data network will fulfill and exceed our customers’ expectations."

Verizon Wireless and Accenture Join Forces for the Enterprise
In conjunction with the Express Network launch, Verizon Wireless also announced an alliance with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to market and sell mobile enterprise applications offered by the Accenture Mobile Service Bureau. Through the alliance, Verizon Wireless and Accenture will be able to offer enterprise customers access to a wide variety of integrated mobile solutions deployed via Verizon Wireless’ Express Network as well as Verizon Wireless’ existing coast-to-coast digital network.

The Accenture Mobile Services Bureau takes the uncertainty and complexity out of deploying enterprise mobile applications by pre-integrating core solutions in a hosted environment. This provides companies with enterprise-grade security, coordinated logistics and provisioning for the distribution of wireless devices, high-caliber customer service and wireless network integration with Verizon Wireless’ premier network. This allows companies to deploy mobile applications easily, more quickly and at a reduced cost.

"By tapping into Accenture’s experience in developing mobile solutions and platforms, we can provide our business customers with a faster, simpler way to achieve the benefits of mobility for their employees, customers and suppliers," McAdam said.

Express Network Pricing
Customers with a monthly digital voice calling plan of $35 or more can sign up for the Express Network, which lets customers use any of their airtime allowance minutes for voice or data, for an additional $30 per month. Verizon Wireless also anticipates introducing plans based on kilobyte usage in the near future for customers and enterprises that prefer such pricing.

Sierra Wireless AirCard 555 is 1XRTT Compatible
The Sierra Wireless AirCard 555, which retails for $299.99 will enable customers to add voice, circuit-switched data and short messaging service capabilities to their laptops, select PDAs, and other computing devices.

"Sierra Wireless is pleased to provide Verizon Wireless with the first PC Card product for its next generation service," said Jason Cohenour, senior vice president of distribution for Sierra Wireless. "We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Verizon Wireless, providing the award winning AirCard 555 as an important element of the fast and reliable wireless connectivity provided by the Verizon Wireless Express Network."

The Tethered Solution From Verizon Wireless
Beginning today, the Verizon Wireless 2235 by Kyocera, a 1XRTT data-compatible wireless handset, will be available through Verizon Wireless corporate sales and in those Communications Stores where the Express Network is available. The tri-mode wireless handset, which retails for $79.99, is a communications system that includes many attractive features: voice-activated dialing, a WAP browser, electronic games, two-way text messaging, and predictive text-input software for rapid text entry. With a subscription to the Express Network and a compatible Mobile Office kit, sold separately for $79.99, the 2235 offers customers the opportunity for faster Internet access. The company expects to announce more wireless handset options soon.

"Kyocera Wireless is pleased to support Verizon Wirleless’ launch of their Express Network with our new Kyocera 2235 1XRTT wireless handset," said Skip Speaks, president and COO of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "The wireless industry has eagerly anticipated the launch of 1X, and Kyocera Wireless is proud to offer the first 1X phones commercially available on Verizon Wireless’ Express Network."

Express Networkequipment and service are available through Verizon Wireless corporate sales, select Communications Stores, or by calling 1-800-308-DATA.

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About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the leading wireless communications provider in the U.S., with the largest wireless network and more than 29.4 million customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.