Verizon Wireless will expand and upgrade its 3G cellular
network over the next three and a half years with about $1bn
(£635m) worth of equipment from Nortel Networks.
The contract covers expansion of the mobile operator's CDMA2000
1x (Code Division Multiple Access) high-speed data networks in
major markets.
Nortel and Verizon also expect the work to include the rollout
of CDMA2000 1x EV-DO (evolution-data only), the next generation of
the technology, which is undergoing a trial on Nortel
equipment.
CDMA2000 1x is a packet-based cellular network for both voice
and data. It can carry data at roughly dial-up speed, or about
60Kbps to 80Kbps, said Verizon Wireless spokeswoman Andrea
Linskey.
The equipment from Nortel will help the operator increase 1x
capacity to serve more customers and extend its coverage to more
locations. An EV-DO network can serve data applications at an
average of about 600Kbps to 700Kbps.
Verizon also buys equipment from Lucent Technologies and
Motorola.
Last year it signed a general purchase agreement with Lucent
worth about $5bn over five years. Using Lucent gear, the carrier is
working toward an EV-DO rollout later this year.
Under the contract, Nortel will supply Verizon with radio base
stations, switching equipment and Nortel Passport IP (Internet
Protocol) gateways which will sit between the wired and wireless
networks, as well as other products.
Nortel will also provide gateways and other infrastructure that
lets customers roam between Verizon's Wi-Fi wireless Lans and
cellular network. This prevents Verizon having to install separate
record-keeping, customer authentication and billing systems.
However, roaming still requires users to go off one type of
network and on to the other. Technology that would allow seamless
handoffs between Wi-Fi and cellular, with no discernible break in
the call or application, exists but is not yet commercially
viable.
Stephen Lawson writes for IDG News Service