Verizon Wireless to spend $6 billion on network upgrade
Alcatel-Lucent has just landed a $6 billion deal with Verizon Wireless to upgrade the carrier's U.S. wireless network. Verizon Wireless is planning to expand its wireless data network with the equipment deal, scheduled to run a solid three years. So is this all going to come in the form of EV-DO Rev. A upgrades for the carrier? Nah -- Big Red will be investing in VoIP and video telephony services as the carrier transitions over time to an all-IP network and away from a circuit-based network. Alcatel-Lucent products such as digital microwave radios, optical cross-connects and bandwidth management devices are part of the $6 billion deal, and will include network support services from Alcatel-Lucent, too. How funny would it be to see a Verizon network engineer waiting on hold for an Alcatel-Lucent customer service rep?
Filed under: Verizon Wireless, 1xRTT, EV-DO, CDMA, Misc
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mj @ Mar 29th 2007 11:44AM
"How funny would it be to see a Verizon network engineer waiting on hold for an Alcatel-Lucent customer service rep?"
As funny as VZW explaining in 2008 that they can't switch to Intel for the network upgrade because their two year Alcatel-Lucent contract hasn't expired yet.
Novey @ Mar 29th 2007 6:34PM
i think they should increase the reception first before doing video calling. i don't get great service with Verizon in Seattle.
Brett @ Mar 30th 2007 1:10AM
its a whole new ball game now...
TechRan @ Mar 30th 2007 10:41AM
Don't fret yet young padawon!!! Verizon has spent BILLIONS of dollars already upgrading their network in the southeast, they are just trying to add some extra goodies with the video calling. The rev. A contractual upgrades has already been fulfilled by Motorola for the next 3 years. And qualcomm is already launching their Vcast mobile TV in more areas, they are just trying to take the next step like good ol' Rogers in Canada, (ey!!!). Don't be playa hating, they will work on some more reception upgrades coming up this year. They have no real choice since they are dropping the analog service in the next coming months. FO SHIZZLE!!!
Techran @ Mar 30th 2007 10:49AM
Just another quick note, the actual date by the FCC is sometime like March 28th of next year, they are just working on the upgrades right now, it's not like they are going to pull the plug next week or something crazy like that.
Jim G @ Mar 30th 2007 8:26PM
I was 40 miles southwest of Atlanta today on I-85: no signal.
I can't be on a call inside my house INSIDE Charlotte city limits without it breaking up.
They need to go back to the basics. I know better coverage and quality doesn't make as much money for them as games, ringtones, mp-3's. streaming video or whatever, but some of us depend on our phone for our livelihood. VZW, as do all of them, need to understand that.
Oli Smith @ Oct 28th 2007 3:19PM
Visit http://www.MyCellMan.com for all wireless accessories for all wireless phones. Discounted Bluetooth Headsets, Car Chargers, Cases, Spotwave Wireless Repeater Indoor Wireless Coverage Systems.