Verizon Moving Towards Wireless Broadband

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/05/07/19FEextenddev_1.html">http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/05/07/19FEextenddev_1.html</a><br /><br />"With the rollout of a new technology called EvDO (evolution, data optimized), Verizon wireless users will enjoy burst data rates of 2.4Mbps and average data rates of 300Kbps to 600Kbps."<br /><br />There is a catch though. "Purdy also believes the idea of a wireless broadband data network is so powerful that, in two years' time, notebook manufacturers will begin to incorporate EvDO connectivity into their laptops, just as they now integrate Wi-Fi. No one knows, however, whether EvDO will be able to withstand popularity, since the throughput of shared networks can drop precipitously under a heavy load."

[Zack Mahdavi]

Verizon promises to have its national EvDO network deployed in a third of the company's markets by the end of 2004, with rollouts across the country continuing through the end of 2005.

A third of their markets by the end of this year? Wow, that's some high hopes! However, I agree with a lot of the points of this article...

The article fails to mention one thing, however. This technology will not only effect wireless users, but I can see households cancelling their broadband service for this wireless data service instead.

[OSUKid7]

I'm still waiting for Verizon to release a Bluetooth phone. Wasn't there a story about that a few months ago? Unless Verizon comes out with a Bluetooth phone, I'm ready to drop them (at the end of my contract next April) to get an iPaq 6000 series.

[arb]

Believe it or not, AT&T master plan in 2000 was to put wireless transmitters on each house that requested local phone service from them, since Ma Bell wasn't sharing the lines...

I think what we are finally seeing is this convergence.. ATT Wireless Edge is technically superior to EvDO since it can sustain a better transmission speed.

Eventually we are going to be breaking down our conventional wires and moving things over to VOIP and Wireless Access Points.

I actually use my cell phone for everything now. At home I have a VOIP setup with my FreeDSL Line.

[Zack Mahdavi]

I actually use my cell phone for everything now. At home I have a VOIP setup with my FreeDSL Line.

Wow, I thought FreeDSL went out of business! You still have the line? That's pretty cool.. :)

[Janak Parekh]

I think what we are finally seeing is this convergence.. ATT Wireless Edge is technically superior to EvDO since it can sustain a better transmission speed.
Actually, no. EDGE's theoretical maximum is around 384kbps. Current AT&T deployment is closer to 100kbps, which is within the range of 1xRTT. It remains to be seen how 1xEV-DO will perform in deployment, but current field trials suggest it'll trounce EDGE...

--janak

[russpetrone]

Slightly off-topic! I've been a Verizon 1xRTT user for a few years and have now transfered to EV DO using the Verizon (AudioVox) PC5220 card. Service with 1xRTT was no better and sometimes worse than dial-up, but I stuck with, just to stay 'connected' on the road.

What I'm pissed about is that I've been paying $79.95 per month for unlimited service for both 1xRTT and now EV DO, but broadband has not been rolled out in all market .......... With the aformentioned said, what does Verizon do ....... They now offer the AudioVox XV6600 PDA which is "EV DO" ENABLED" with unlimited pricing at $49.95.

If there are any PC5220 users out there paying the $79.95, PLEASE complain to Verizon and don't let up until they correct the problem. THANX

[EVDOguy]

Verizon recently lowered the price for 1xRTT only coverage to $59.99. BroadbandAccess (EVDO) is still at $79.99.

EVDO Guy
EVDO Info (http://www.EVDOinfo.com) :: EVDO Forums (http://www.EVDOForums.com)

[russpetrone]

EVDOguy:
I found out about this new pricing just yesterday.

There's no doubt in my mind that this reduction in 1xRTT pricing was due to my efforts, which were directed at Verizon Corporate in NYC.

The new pricing is a step in the right direction, but is still not enough. As long as they offer an EVDO service for laptops that's more expensive than the PDA version, I will consider it to be a "work in progress"!!