Verizon Wireless and Motorola Sign Multi-year Agreement for Network Expansion

[DanPFW]

Wow, this has got the be the first time I've ever heard VZW describe Minneapolis as a "Major" market! Does this mean new hardware to support the current network or to replace Qwest's network?

Dan

http://news.vzw.com/news/2004/07/pr2004-07-26a.html

07/26/2004

BEDMINSTER, NJ and SCHAUMBURG, IL — Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) have signed a three-year general purchasing agreement to increase Verizon Wireless' award-winning network capacity and coverage.

Verizon Wireless will deploy Motorola's CDMA2000 1X radio base stations, Internet Protocol (IP) call processing platforms, and advanced messaging solutions in major markets, including Denver, Minneapolis, Sacramento, and the Carolinas.

"As Verizon Wireless pulls further ahead of our competitors on quality and reliability of our voice and data services, Motorola continues to support us with products and services that contribute to our marketplace success," said Ed Salas, vice president for network planning for Verizon Wireless.

"This agreement is an important endorsement of our people and our solutions," said Dan Aderhold, Motorola's senior account director for Verizon Wireless. "We are pleased to continue to work closely with Verizon Wireless as they expand their network and service offerings."

[Gonz]

Didn't Moto supply VZW with their PTT over CDMA equipment? If so, I'm guessing that's why they signed with Moto.

Dan, when is the Qwest deal supposed to be completed by? My guess is that they contracted woith Moto to build out the new Qwest licenses.

[BillRadio]

Originally Posted by Gonz

My guess is that they contracted woith Moto to build out the new Qwest licenses.

I think the real reason is that Verizon has needed upgrades in these markets long before the Qwest deal was made. The last time we got several new cell sites in Denver was when they upgraded the sites in the Pacific NW (with Nortel?) and freed up a bunch of Motorola equipment.

There have been few upgrades in these Motorola markets, and it may have been due to a lack of equipment. We have (at least) 3 significant newly-developed areas in town that need some additional cell capacity, or better, additional sites. Yes, it's heresy, but there are places in town where even we are getting the occasional dropped call.

If anything, the Qwest deal will make available some equipment that can be used as is, or moved where needed. I DO expect them to make a significant buildout on those channels in MN outside M/SP, though.

[DanPFW]

Another good reason for the new hardware will be to expand the 1x/DO services. Qwest is still using the standard CDMA equipment, so I doubt VZW will even be able to use much of it.

Dan

[Gonz]

Just a quick question, do carriers ever sell outdated digital equipment, like regular CDMA when a carrier converts to 1x? I can see how this would help smaller rural carriers put up digital where there is only analog. So, If what I understood was right, Carriers swap equipment within different parts of their own network when upgrades occur?