Verizon Wireless Launches Broadband Access: Next Generation Wide Area Wireless Data Network

Beginning October 1, 2003, customers in Washington D.C. and San Diego can purchase BroadbandAccess to mirror their desktop environment while working remotely. The new service is part of the company’s VZOffice suite of wireless products and services for businesses.

BroadbandAccess, with typical speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps), is ideal for downloading complex files and business-critical information residing behind corporate firewalls and for accessing email, intranets and the Internet.

BroadbandAccess service is available for a flat rate of $79.99 a month. Verizon Wireless is offering its first BroadbandAccess device required for the service, the Verizon Wireless PC 5220 card, manufactured by Sierra Wireless. Through the end of the year, Verizon Wireless customers can buy the Verizon Wireless PC 5220 card for $149.99 after $100 rebate.

With BroadbandAccess from Verizon Wireless, an email attachment (1 Meg) is downloaded in less than 20 seconds. By comparison, the same size file on GPRS service takes almost seven minutes to download, or one and a half minutes to download the file using EDGE service.