Verizon Wireless Expected (Rumored) to Cut Unlimited EVDO Plan by 25% Next Week

[danny boi]

Sat Aug 27, 2005 2:35 AM ET


http://today.reuters.com/news/newsA...WIRELESS-DC.XML


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Verizon Wireless is expected to cut the price of its high-speed wireless Internet service by as much as 25 percent early next week in a bid to increase its customer base for the service, one analyst said on Friday.

The No. 2 U.S mobile service and the country's first to sell wireless Web links with speeds comparable to some home broadband services, will cut its $80 a month rate plan to about $60 in a bid to stay ahead of rivals such as Sprint Nextel, said American Technology Research analyst Albert Lin.

"I think it'll be a significant cut," said Lin, who declined to name his sources. "I think they're trying to maximize the time they have as a monopoly in order to build a customer base lead before there's competition."

Verizon Wireless was not immediately available to comment.

Lin said the price cut for Verizon Wireless' service plan for laptop computer users should put the service, mainly aimed at business people until now, in a more affordable price range for some consumers.

Lin said he does not expect the company to make dramatic changes to its high-speed consumer service, known as Vcast, which delivers content such as Web surfing and video downloads to phones for about $15 a month.

Phone companies around the world have been beefing up their networks to deliver services such as high-speed Internet links and video and music downloads to phones in a bet that demand for such offerings will help offset falling phone call prices.

Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone, has led the pack in the United States by starting to sell high-speed services based on EV-DO technology to laptop computer users in some markets in 2003.

It has since expanded the service to cover about one third of the U.S. population and expects to cover roughly half the U.S. population or 150 million people by year end.

Sprint, the No. 3 U.S. mobile service which became Sprint Nextel this month after its purchase of Nextel Communications, said in July it was starting to offer laptop services based on the same technology and with similar charges of $80 a month.

Sprint Nextel expects to have coverage for 143 million people by the fourth quarter and 150 million people -- or roughly half the U.S. population -- in early 2006.

The EV-DO technology which both Sprint Nextel and Verizon wireless are using was developed by wireless technology firm Qualcomm Inc., which sells chips and licenses based on the technology.

The country's biggest operator, Cingular Wireless, a venture of SBC Communications and BellSouth Corp., has said it expects to have high-speed services based on a different technology later this year.



© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

[bobolito]

....will cut its $80 a month rate plan to about $60 in a bid to stay ahead of rivals such as Sprint Nextel....

What do they mean by "stay ahead". Verizon has never been ahead of anyone when it comes to data, let alone Sprint. They should say "in a bid to TRY AND CATCH UP with Sprint. But then again, they will never admit that.

Despite, the price cut is a hard punch in the stomache for Cingular, whose never been fond of cutting prices for data.

Viva la competencia!

[WirelessBeachBum]

What do they mean by "stay ahead". Verizon has never been ahead of anyone when it comes to data, let alone Sprint. They should say "in a bid to TRY AND CATCH UP with Sprint. But then again, they will never admit that.

Despite, the price cut is a hard punch in the stomache for Cingular, whose never been fond of cutting prices for data.

Viva la competencia!

If you consider PCS vision on a handset "Data" then you are correct, sprint has more "data" customers. If you look at telemetery applications and aircards, and EVDO (over 50 cities covered) then Verizon is in the lead.

My only hope is Sprint doesn't do to Verizon what they did with 1xrtt, Verizon launched it first and the Sprint launched all markets at once, it doesn't appear to be so with Sprint doing a phased launce of evdo....we'll see.

[M_Six]

At $60/month, it might be worth dropping cable broadband at home and getting EV-DO. But they need to come up with some kind of modem that can be tied into a router. And I question how they're going to expand from where they are now to "half the population" in just the next few months.

[Fathead]

If it's $60 bucks, I'd get it rather than cable, the $10 is worth the mobility.

[M_Six]

If it's $60 bucks, I'd get it rather than cable, the $10 is worth the mobility.

Agreed. As long I don't have to buy an EV-DO card for every PC in the house. That's where some sort of modem would be handy.

[wgray8231]

Agreed. As long I don't have to buy an EV-DO card for every PC in the house. That's where some sort of modem would be handy.

A single computer with the EV-DO card could work as a router and share the connection with other computers. Computer Networks 101.

[bobolito]

If you consider PCS vision on a handset "Data" then you are correct, sprint has more "data" customers. If you look at telemetery applications and aircards, and EVDO (over 50 cities covered) then Verizon is in the lead.

My only hope is Sprint doesn't do to Verizon what they did with 1xrtt, Verizon launched it first and the Sprint launched all markets at once, it doesn't appear to be so with Sprint doing a phased launce of evdo....we'll see.

Sprint is not doing a nationwide "all-at-once" launch of EV-DO. They are doing it by region. Some markets by the end of this year, more to come in 2006. Sprint can't afford (nor do they have time) to wait for a nationwide launch.

A single computer with the EV-DO card could work as a router and share the connection with other computers. Computer Networks 101.

Hehe....good point!

[larry]

Just for the record Sprint EV-DO is now up and running here in parts of Orange County, CA. I have a friend who's been testing it out and it's on now.

[jones]

$60
That's what i pay for cable modem
(8 MB Downloads 700 kps uploads) &
VOIP
(Unlimited calling anytime in US, Canada and Puerto Rico.
Including Anonymous caller blocking, Call Waiting w/ Caller ID,
Voice Mail w/ email and Text Messaging Notification,
Find Me feature - you input Numbers till you answer,
like office number, cell number, home Number,
Call Forwarding is only one Number,
though it includes call forwarding
plus other features.)
Now what are you gonna do w/
3 desktops, 2 printer, 1 photo printer
and 1 notebook,
which shares this connection.

[M_Six]

A single computer with the EV-DO card could work as a router and share the connection with other computers. Computer Networks 101.

Yeah, I know. I could do it in my sleep. But your average user cannot. Until it's as easy to set up as cable/dsl routers are now, it won't be replacing cable or dsl as the primary method of access.

As jones stated above, some of us have pretty extensive networks set up at home. I also have two printers, one of which is wireless, a server (also on the WLAN), my wife's workstation (WLAN), and my 2 laptops. Plus both our PDAs. The only way I'd switch is if I could pull the cable modem and replace it with an EV-DO modem. Otherwise it wouldn't be worth the reconfiguration hassle. Common Sense 101.

[jones]

i don't believe they can match cable broadbands speed/reliability
of 8 MB/s.

[WirelessBeachBum]

i don't believe they can match cable broadbands speed/reliability
of 8 MB/s.

Not yet...but does your broadband work two blocks from your house?

There are PCMCIA adapters available for PC's and if you visit mobileplanet.com there is also an aircard router that will give you wifi and wired access off an ix or evdo card.

That being said, Verizon doesn't really want you using it at your house anyway, the wireless networks are not built to be a replacement for your DSL.

[jones]

it does not have a dead zone though.
My wireless G router can't beat my
old wired router when it comes to speed.
the question is if people will
pay extra for this.
Most can wait to surf at home.

[bobolito]

Not yet...but does your broadband work two blocks from your house?

It does with my WiFi "bazooka-style" antenna!

[jones]

if you have a weak signal at Home your download
speed is also slow though it's OK for voice.

[WirelessBeachBum]

it does not have a dead zone though.
My wireless G router can't beat my
old wired router when it comes to speed.
the question is if people will
pay extra for this.
Most can wait to surf at home.

Sure it does...drive across town and try to pick it up...and yes mobile professionals will pay for it...in fact they eat it up.

[danny boi]

As mentioned, this service is not designed to replace your cable or dsl cpe.

It is meant for the mobile professional who needs quick access to applications that go beyond simple email.

A lot of corporate buffs who travel monthly or weekly depend on hot spot areas or dial up connections where they can pay as between $ 10-20 per session.

Broadband Access is designed to be an alternative to standard dial up or WiFi access and covers a larger geographic area. As EVDO coverage continues to grow, it will become more attractive. Customers still have access to a slower, but more readily available National Access where EVDO is not available.

The industry is changing. Standard DSL is becoming cheaper and cheaper and the Bells are introducing a better wired Broadband alternative coming to a community near you in an attempt to put the cable ISP's back in their place.

Verizon doesn't want to kill its own wired Broadband future by allowing its wireless business to canibalize itself. They want you to buy both where available and its part of a long term strategy which will include new TV services.

[sheureka]

Here you go - http://www.junxionbox.com/ - sheureka

[jones]

As mentioned, this service is not designed to replace your cable or dsl cpe.

It is meant for the mobile professional who needs quick access to applications that go beyond simple email.

A lot of corporate buffs who travel monthly or weekly depend on hot spot areas or dial up connections where they can pay as between $ 10-20 per session.

Broadband Access is designed to be an alternative to standard dial up or WiFi access and covers a larger geographic area. As EVDO coverage continues to grow, it will become more attractive. Customers still have access to a slower, but more readily available National Access where EVDO is not available.

The industry is changing. Standard DSL is becoming cheaper and cheaper and the Bells are introducing a better wired Broadband alternative coming to a community near you in an attempt to put the cable ISP's back in their place.

Verizon doesn't want to kill its own wired Broadband future by allowing its wireless business to canibalize itself. They want you to buy both where available and its part of a long term strategy which will include new TV services.

Cool explanation,
eventually Cable will have to look for a Wireless Cell Carrier,
as an MVNO.

[bobolito]

One day we'll all have a forum just discussing our data speed while driving rather than our signal or call quality.

[danny boi]

It's getting better folks............................................. ...




http://www.rcrnews.com/news.cms?newsId=23921


By Dan Meyer
Aug 29, 2005

Verizon Wireless added a handful of new markets to its growing CDMA2000 1x EV-DO coverage area and at the same time lowered the price for accessing the network.

The carrier's high-speed wireless data service is available in Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Denver; Louisville, Ky.; Baton Rouge, La.; and Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Verizon Wireless said the EV-DO coverage included major metropolitan areas and airports.

The expansion brings Verizon Wireless' EV-DO total coverage to 61 markets across the country and 39 of the nation's top 50 markets. Verizon Wireless has said it planned to cover more than half the country's population by the end of the year.

"We made the promise that Verizon Wireless' broadband network would be widely available by the end of 2005, and here we are today, fulfilling that promise," said **** Lynch, executive vice president and chief technology officer at Verizon Wireless. "It should come as no surprise that we are ahead of schedule-after all, this is what we do, we build networks."

In connection with the expansion, Verizon Wireless also lowered the price of unlimited access to its BroadbandAccess EV-DO network using a PC Card for current voice customers by 25 percent to $60 per month. The price cut matches what Verizon Wireless charges for unlimited access to its slower speed NationalAccess 1x network.

Customers not signed up for a Verizon Wireless voice plan are still charged $80 per month for unlimited access. Verizon's handset-based Vcast service remains at $15 per month for unlimited access.

Analysts noted the expansion will allow Verizon Wireless to begin national marketing of the service, which should increase adoption rates.

"This is the point where Verizon Wireless has expanded their high-speed services to enough markets that they can switch from marketing on a city-by-city basis to a national basis," said telecommunications industry analyst Jeff Kagan. "We can now expect to see national advertising and marketing for these services."

Sprint Nextel Corp. launched EV-DO services last month in 34 markets and said it plans to cover 92 million pops by the end of the third quarter and 143 million pops by the end of the year. Sprint Nextel continues to charge $80 per month for unlimited access to its 1x and EV-DO networks.

[danny boi]

One thing I noticed in this article is that you have to be an existing voice subscriber to get the lower Broadband Access price. I cannot vouch for its accuracy though.

This is similar to having to subscribe to local wired phone service to get DSL.

Not a big deal, but important to know nonetheless.

[Jrapp]

One thing I noticed in this article is that you have to be an existing voice subscriber to get the lower Broadband Access price. I cannot vouch for its accuracy though.

This is similar to having to subscribe to local wired phone service to get DSL.

Not a big deal, but important to know nonetheless.

Already showing up in NYC area. Can't see what constitutes a "qualifying voice plan"


http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/p...tion=miniStart

[M_Six]

Here you go - http://www.junxionbox.com/ - sheureka

Nice find, sheureka. Just what I was talking about.

[Fire14]

it does not have a dead zone though.
My wireless G router can't beat my
old wired router when it comes to speed.
the question is if people will
pay extra for this.
Most can wait to surf at home.

My sister travels for her work & does her emails & other information via the Cingular network, I am sure she will love the day it's faster then it is now & she can't always wait till she gets home or at a hotel for the faster downloads, and I am sure there are a whole lot of people that do the same thing & need the speed Verizon is giving them to do there work while in an airport, or on a train going to business visits etc...

[scottb]

Wirelessly posted (Samsung i730: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))

This is a nice price drop. I wish they would do it for PDA Data plans.

[Andy]

Already showing up in NYC area. Can't see what constitutes a "qualifying voice plan"


http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/p...tion=miniStart

My guess is that any AC plan would do.