Verizon Wireless gave a hefty boost to the speed of its 3G network Monday,
when it launched BroadbandAccess, a broadband wireless data service that
boasts speeds of 300 to 500 kilobits per second with bursts up to 2
megabits per second.
The service, built on CDMA 1xEVDO technology, will go live for customers in
the Washington, D.C., and San Diego markets on Wednesday. Verizon’s
existing 3G Express Network, built on 1XRTT technology, offered average
speeds of between 40 and 60 kbps. It has been renamed NationalAccess with
the BroadbandAccess launch.
Verizon Wireless said BroadbandAccess will allow customers to mirror their
desktops while working remotely, using virtual private network (VPN)
connections to access corporate local area networks (LANs) and intranets.
The company noted that 1xEVDO technology has built in data protection and
authentication, allowing it to work with businesses’ existing IT
infrastructure and security solutions.
The company said the service is ideal for downloading complex files, noting
that users of the service could download a 1MB email attachment in less
than 20 seconds. Verizon claimed GPRS would take nearly seven minutes to
download the same file, and EDGE technology would take about a minute and a
half.
Verizon is making the service available as part of VZOffice, a new suite of
business solutions which combine complementary wireless voice and data
solutions — including NationalAccess. It also includes WiFiAccess,
allowing customers to utilize wireless hotspots in places like airports and
hotels.
“It’s like an ala cart menu,” Verizon Wireless spokesperson Andrea Linskey
told internetnews.com. “You can choose voice, messaging or remote
access.”
BroadbandAccess goes for a flat rate of $79.99 a month. The company is also
offering the Verizon Wireless PC 5220 card, manufactured by Sierra
Wireless, which is required for the service. Verizon said through the end
of the year, its customers can buy the card for $149.99 after a $100
rebate. The company said that it plans to offer additional BroadbandAccess
devices, including additional cards, modem solutions for the office, and a
range of the latest mobile devices.
Primarily, Verizon Wireless sees BroadbandAccess as a B2B play, Linskey
said, though consumers who want to buy the PC 5220 card will have the
option of getting the service. She noted that Verizon sees an opportunity
in large business customers looking for greater speed in remote services.
“Right now, we’re the only carrier that can offer that,” she said.
Currently, the BroadbandAccess service is only available in Washington,
D.C., and San Diego, where Verizon held trials of the service. However,
during the trial, the company extended the coverage area beyond the initial
trial areas. In Washington, D.C., it extended the coverage to the Reston
and Alexandria, Va. areas as well as Rockville, Md. The San Diego coverage
now extends from Oceanside south to National City and east to include
Escondido, Poway and El Cajon.
Linskey said the company does have a network rollout plan but has made no
firm decisions about what is next for BroadbandAccess.
“We have a network rollout plan in mind, but we haven’t made any statements
about where we’re going next or when or how fast,” she said. “We’re going
to let the market help us make those types of decisions.”
