Verizon Wireless Announces Suppliers for LTE Buildout

Alcatel-Lucent is coming away from Mobile World Congress (News - Alert) a big winner as the global supplier grabbed contracts for all three aspects of Verizon Wireless’ LTE buildout. These elements include the IP Multimedia Subsystem portion, the enhanced packet core portion and the radio access network portion.

Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless has set a commercial launch date of 2010, in which the company will launch around 25 to 30 markets. The company plans to initially use its 700 MHz spectrum for the buildout, yet did not disclose the cost of its efforts.

Mike Dano reported in RCR Wireless that Verizon CTO Dick Lynch shared in his keynote presentation during Mobile World Congress that the average LTE data rates are to be around 8 Mbps. Dano also noted that Lynch later refused to discuss data rates, saying it was too difficult to provide average, real-world data rates due to the untested nature of the technology.

 

Starent Networks also claimed a portion of Verizon Wireless’ packet core contract and Nokia Siemens Networks will work with Alcatel-Lucent (News - Alert). “Verizon plans to offer IMS-based IP converged applications and services on its wireless and landline broadband networks,” the carrier said in a statement. “LTE will be one of the key wireless access networks linked to the IMS technology.”

It is expected that Verizon Wireless’ LTE buildout will use a non-standard version of LTE to meet the 2010 deployment date. The company is also one of the first carriers in the world to announce its LTE equipment suppliers, which is expected to have an influence on the choices of others in the future.

According to a company statement: “LTE network costs would be within the company’s overall program as spending shifts from older technologies to new strategic initiatives, such as LTE.”

Verizon Wireless also noted that due to the nature of 700 MHz spectrum, “Verizon Wireless is capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network with excellent coverage and in-building penetration, all at a cost structure significantly below current levels.”

Both Verizon Wireless and Vodafone (News - Alert) have been testing LTE networks in Minneapolis, Columbus, Ohio and Northern New Jersey in the United States. Testing has also been done in Budapest, Düsseldorf, and Madrid in Europe, with a variety of network infrastructure providers.

Lynch noted in a company statement that building and offering commercial services over Verizon Wireless’ LTE network, while expanding its FiOS (News - Alert) fiber network at the same time, is considered to be a consistent and complimentary strategy that is focused on a committed future in broadband.

Lynch said in the statement, "Verizon Wireless' LTE network deployment will be driven by our vision of providing ubiquitous global wireless broadband connectivity and mobility.

 

LTE enables us to continue to meet business customer demands for a higher bandwidth, low latency service that works broadly in the United States and globally, while helping us to meet consumer demand for mobilizing the many applications they frequently use when tethered to high bandwidth wired networks," Lynch added.

Verizon Wireless also expects that it will foster creative solutions that connect people, places and things wireless on its LTE network through the creation of the Verizon LTE Innovation Center. The Center’s mission is to be the catalyst for early development of non-traditional products for use on LTE networks.

Through the leveraging of a 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment, Verizon Wireless will be capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network. The excellent coverage and in-building penetration will be achieved at a cost structure that is significantly below current levels.

The advanced LTE-based wireless network will be able to support incredible new applications that both businesses and consumers can only access currently through high-speed wireline networks. Beyond faster e-mail and Internet access and better quality video services, wireless users will be able to take wireline applications into the mobile world.

Said Lynch, "The appetite for new and innovative broadband services is insatiable: People want new and customized content, relevant information and services, and increased opportunities to communicate with each other and the world around them. With the promise of more advanced devices and applications, Verizon is ready to lead the way in harnessing the power of LTE, at the onset of the LTE revolution."