Verizon Wireless To Offer Pocket PC/Phone Combo

Building on its already successful wireless phone offering around the U.S.,
Verizon Wireless is upping the ante for potential customers with a wireless
phone/Pocket PC combo, officials announced Thursday.

Launched in 10 states a few weeks ago, the $600 package comes complete with
an Audiovox Maestro Pocket PC (pre-loaded with Windows Pocket PC and a raft
of utilities) and CDM-9100 wireless phone utilizing Verizon Wireless’
code-division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum wireless platform.

When the wireless company will expand its service beyond the
10-state area is unknown at this time and officials were unwilling to
speculate, though it can be assumed that its initial success will
determine whether the program is expanded nationwide.

At $600, the Pocket PC/phone combo is pricey for most consumers in today’s
market, especially after Christmas. But Pocket PC’s in general are a
growing commodity and a promotional package that harnesses the power of a
mini-computer with easy access to the Internet could convince frequent
business travelers to splurge.

Tom Roberts, Verizon Wireless West coast vice president of marketing, is
confident the program will be a success.

“Imagine having the capability of sending and receiving data on a
pocket-sized device and then being able to update your personal computer
with the data instantaneously,” Roberts said. “A simple, single cable
connection between the handset and the Pocket PC allows the user to surf
the Internet, check and send email, or browse, shop or trade on the Web.”

A USB port on the Pocket PC also lets users connect their device to their
personal computer to share information and applications. The Maestro also
features a touch-screen interface with on-screen keyboard and handwriting
recognition software. Users can store up to 32MB of information on the
Pocket PC.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications , one of the largest of the nation’s four incumbent telephone
companies, and Vodafone, Europe’s largest wireless phone company. The company is still hoping to go public by mid-2002.

The wireless phone company, while the largest in the U.S. with more than
28.7 million wireless subscribers, is facing an ever-growing amount of
competition from the likes of AT&T Wireless , Nextel
Communications and Sprint Corp. .

All three, while gradually building up their 3G wireless technology, are
concentrating on what Brenda Raney, Verizon Wireless spokesperson, calls
“convergent technology.” The emphasis, she said, is one people are
focusing on because of demand.

“There’s a market for that kind of service,” Raney said. “We have a
high-tech generation of people who want to connect their home PCs, wireless
phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), so everyone’s moving to this
convergent technology.”