Verizon Wireless announces LTE data calls in two markets

Verizon Wireless announced it has completed its first successful LTE data calls in both Boston and Seattle using its 700 MHz licenses. The operator said the data calls involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads and web browsing using the 3GPP Release 8 standard. The operator also said it made successful data calls using VoIP to enable voice service over LTE using its commercial infrastructure platform.

Verizon Wireless CTO Tony Melone told the Associated Press that the results of the trial indicate LTE will supply average download speeds of 7 to 12 Mbps.

The technology partners involved with the data calls included Alcatel-Lucent for the Boston market and Ericsson in the Seattle market for base station and RAN equipment. LG and Samsung offered the trial devices while Starent Networks and Nokia Siemens Networks provided the IMS pieces. Verizon said devices, presumably data devices such as USB modems, from LG and Samsung will soon be supplemented by devices from ST-Ericsson, Motorola and Qualcomm.

Verizon said Boston and Seattle each now have 10 LTE 4G cell sites up and running on the 700 MHz spectrum. Verizon Wireless expects to commercially launch its LTE 4G network in up to 30 markets in 2010, covering 100 million people. 

For more:
- check out this release [1]
- see AP [2]

Related articles:
Verizon Wireless [3] picks Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent for LTE buildout
Alca-Lu posts profit, points to LTE momentum [4]
Ericsson CTO dismisses WiMAX, eyes LTE opportunities [5]