Verizon Wireless has completed the testing of its first Long Term Evolution (LTE) fourth generation (4G) data call in Boston and Seattle, based on the 3GPP Release 8 standard.
The data calls involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads, and web browsing. The company said that it made data calls using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable voice transmissions over the LTE 4G network.
Technology partners helping to enable data calls in these markets include Alcatel-Lucent (Boston) and Ericsson (Seattle) for base station/radio access network, LG and Samsung for trial devices, and Starent Networks and Nokia Siemens Networks for network equipment. Boston and Seattle each now have 10 LTE 4G cell sites up and running on the 700 MHz spectrum.
The company said that the trials will help Verizon Wireless and its LTE 4G network partners understand issues that include how to best prepare cell sites and how to add the new technology to its network.
Verizon Wireless expects to commercially launch its LTE 4G network in around 30 markets in 2010. In subsequent years, an equally aggressive growth plan will result in full nationwide coverage by 2013, the company said.
Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technical officer at Verizon Wireless, said: “Verizon Wireless, with outstanding cooperation from our partner suppliers, is fully committed to harnessing the power of LTE over our 700 MHz spectrum. This combination of state-of-the-art technology and prime spectrum will soon make a ubiquitous, highly mobile, super-fast broadband experience a reality for customers.”
