Wireless Broadband Is Latest to Launch on Florida's Space Coast
Half-Million Local Residents Now Have Access to High-Speed Services Like Over-The-Air Video, Music
ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 13 -- Verizon Wireless has launched its high-speed wireless BroadbandAccess network in Florida's Space Coast area to better serve the concentration of tech-savvy residents and businesses here, including thousands of space agency scientists and technicians, and other technology-industry professionals.
The new network allows customers to utilize the latest high-speed productivity and entertainment applications and services on their phones, laptop computers and other wireless devices. This wireless broadband experience is made possible by the Verizon Wireless Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) technology, with typical connection speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps).
The multi-million dollar network expansion entailed installing high-tech hardware and software in dozens of wireless transmission sites and for the first time brings high-speed wireless services to the core areas of Brevard County, including Melbourne, Cocoa Beach and Titusville. More than 500,000 Brevard residents in a 2,200-square mile area now can have access to the BroadbandAccess service.
The new high-speed Space Coast network links up with the Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess network in Indian River County to the south, serving customers along Florida's East Coast all the way to Key West. The high-speed wireless network also is available in Orlando and other major markets across the state.
The expansion is part of an ongoing network investment by Verizon Wireless that has totaled more than $1 billion in the state and $30 billion nationally over the past six years.
"The work done along the Space Coast is an example of utilizing the most advanced technology on earth and even beyond," said Mike Lanman, Verizon Wireless Florida region president. "We've devoted our own vast research and resources to mobile communication technology to be able to provide this area with the latest wireless services, such as BroadbandAccess and V CAST Music and video."
BroadbandAccess allows customers to connect wirelessly to the Internet, download e-mail and applications, and log into their corporate servers via their laptop at broadband speeds. The technology provides mobile workers full access, productivity and security, just as if they were at their desks and attached via a high-speed wired connection, but with the freedom of true mobility.
The Verizon Wireless V CAST service gives customers access to short video content, downloadable music, and cutting-edge 3D games on their mobile phones. With V CAST, customers can get short video content on-demand, including current news, weather, sports and entertainment programming. And music lovers with a V CAST Music-enabled phone are able to download and play their favorite songs -- all while on-the-go.
In addition to allowing advanced applications such as BroadbandAccess and V CAST, the network upgrade in the Space Coast area further strengthens the Verizon Wireless network in the event of emergencies. The network stood up well to recent extraordinary storm seasons, while some other communication networks sometimes suffered substantial disruptions.
"A strong, reliable wireless network is important to our communities, especially in areas like the Space Coast that provide critical services to our country," Lanman said. "Verizon Wireless will continue to take a leading role in providing that reliability locally, throughout the state and across the nation."
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 56.7 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Source: Verizon Wireless
CONTACT:
Chuck Hamby
Verizon Wireless
+1-813-615-4803
chuck.hamby@verizonwireless.com
Web site: www.verizonwireless.com/
