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Verizon Wireless Launches Multimedia Service

By Ed Raymond
Wireless NewsFactor
January 7, 2005 4:46PM

A new wireless multimedia service from Verizon Wireless will use the company's EV-DO 3G network to deliver multimedia content to mobile phones. The VCAST system initially will be available in 20 U.S. markets.

Verizon Wireless has announced the launch of a third-generation wireless multimedia service for consumers.
Called VCAST, the service will deliver video, 3-D games, and music straight to next-generation phones that run on the Verizon Wireless broadband 3G EV-DO (evolution-data optimized) network. The service will be available beginning February 1st.

Video on Demand

Customers will be able to use a new generation of handsets to access VCAST's video-on-demand service, viewing current news, weather, sports and entertainment programming. They also will be able to download and play three-dimensional games.

Verizon Wireless has established relationships with a variety of content sources, including MTV Networks' VH1 and Comedy Central brands. A relationship with News Corp. and 20th Century Fox will bring Verizon Wireless customers exclusive programs -- "24: Conspiracy," "Sunset Hotel" and "Love & Hate" -- specifically designed for mobile phones .



A broad offering of content, including newscasts made exclusively for mobile phones, also will be available from NBC.

VCAST runs on the Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO network, which began commercial operation in October 2003 in San Diego, California, and Washington, D.C.

"When we announced the rollout plans for the Verizon Wireless 3G network one year ago at last year's Consumer Electronics Show," said Verizon Wireless executive vice president and CTO Dick Lynch at the CES in Las Vegas on Friday, "we said we would deploy the technology in areas covering 75 million people -- or one-third of our network -- in the United States by the end of 2004. Promise made, promise kept," he said.

20 Markets

In addition to 20 previously launched metropolitan areas, the company today announced 12 additional markets: Chicago; Houston; Boston; Phoenix, Arizona; Providence, Rhode Island; Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida; Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut; and Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton, Ohio. Major expansions have been made in many existing 3G markets, including New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Atlanta; Miami, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Florida; Baltimore, Maryland; Kansas City, Missouri; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Lynch said Verizon Wireless plans to expand its 3G network to cover 150 million U.S. consumers by the end of 2005.

Customers will pay an additional US$15 monthly in addition to their regular Verizon Wireless calling plan to use the VCAST service.

At launch, customers will be able to access VCAST on three new phones from LG Mobile Phones, Samsung Telecommunications America and UTStarcom Personal Communications.