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North American Agreements Advance Mobile 4G Use

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major development that advances the deployment of fourth-generation wireless broadband services, the U.S. government has reached agreements with Canada and Mexico that establish the framework for use of spectrum in the 700 MHz band. The spectrum is being widely deployed for high-speed wireless broadband in the U.S.

"Verizon's rollout of its 4G LTE mobile broadband network is going well, and we are pleased that officials at both the Federal Communications Commission and Department of State worked well with their counterparts in Canada and Mexico to establish and update agreements for 700 MHz spectrum-band wireless operations along our respective borders," said Tony Melone, Verizon executive vice president and chief technology officer. "These actions demonstrate that all three governments recognize the public need for reliable, high speed wireless broadband services, such as LTE, which will aid consumers and businesses along the borders in gaining access to the same reliable, fast and most advanced Verizon LTE network as in other parts of the U.S."

The agreement with Canada is new; the agreement with Mexico amends a 2006 cross-border agreement. The agreements allow Verizon to operate its 4G wireless network near U.S. borders at operational levels that will maximize the benefits of the new LTE technology, which supports average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. Without these agreements Verizon customers near the Mexican or Canadian borders might not get access to the full benefits of 4G LTE.

Verizon is the first wireless company in the world to broadly deploy 4G LTE technology. In fewer than eight months, Verizon has deployed the technology in 102 metropolitan areas; by the end of 2013 Verizon plans to bring 4G LTE mobile broadband to its entire 3G coverage area.

The company is also working with rural communications companies to build and operate 4G networks outside its current 3G coverage area, using tower and backhaul assets of the rural company and Verizon Wireless' 4G assets. Already, 10 rural companies have announced participation in the LTE in Rural America program.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 106 million total connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries, including all of the Fortune 500. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon