Verizon Wireless has tapped the international capabilities of parent company Vodafone Group plc to launch its Global Data Access product that will allow users to access Verizon Wireless’ CDMA2000 1x EV-DO data network for domestic wireless data needs and Vodafone’s GPRS/UMTS network for international data services. Vodafone currently controls about 45 percent of Verizon Wireless.
The service will be targeted at business users and will require customers to have both a Verizon Wireless EV-DO card and a Vodafone 3G/GPRS card. The appropriate card will need to be inserted into a device for service.
Customers can purchase a package of two PC cards, allowing access to both the EV-DO network and to the GPRS/UMTS network for $280 with a two-year customer agreement or $380 with a one-year agreement. Existing domestic EV-DO BroadbandAccess customers can purchase a separate GPRS/UMTS card for $180 with a two-year contract or $230 with a one-year deal.
Rate plans include unlimited EV-DO use in the United States and Canada and up to 100 megabytes of GPRS/UMTS data throughput in a number of Tier 1 Western European countries for $130 per month. Access in Tier 2 countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, Israel, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan and Thailand, are billed at 3 cents per kilobyte.
Verizon Wireless currently offers unlimited access to its domestic 1x NationalAccess network and EV-DO BroadbandAccess network for voice-plan customers for $60 per month. Verizon Wireless’ EV-DO service currently is available in more than 60 metropolitan areas across the country.
Verizon Wireless also will offer a pay-per-use plan for customers on existing domestic unlimited EV-DO BroadbandAccess or 1x NationalAccess plans billed at 0.2 cents per kilobyte in Canada, 2 cents per kilobyte in Tier 1 countries and 3 cents per kilobyte in Tier 2 countries.
Verizon Wireless noted the domestic EV-DO service would provide users with average throughput speeds of between 400 kilobits per second and 700 kbps, while the international service will provide speeds up to 384 kbps.
“Many of our enterprise customers have large numbers of employees who spend time traveling internationally,” explained Cindy Patterson, vice president of enterprise data for Verizon Wireless. “Our relationship with Vodafone allows us to offer our customers access to our industry-leading wireless broadband network in the U.S. and Vodafone’s highly successful Mobile Connect 3G data card and dashboard software, resulting in a best-in-class wireless experience when they travel-domestically or abroad.”
Verizon Wireless first tapped Vodafone’s international capabilities last year with the launch of Samsung Corp.’s SCH-a790 GSM/CDMA handset and related Global Phone service. The handset and service allow customers to access Verizon Wireless’ domestic CDMA voice and data services using their current rate plans, as well as place and receive calls and text messages using the same number when travelling abroad.
Sprint Nextel Corp. launched its own version of the Samsung handset and international calling capabilities earlier this year.
Domestic GSM operator Cingular Wireless L.L.C. offers a trio of GPRS and EDGE PC cards that include domestic and international data capabilities, as well as several tri-band and quad-band handsets. T-Mobile USA Inc. offers a tri-band PC card that also includes Wi-Fi capabilities in line with parent company Deutsche Telekom AG’s wide-area and wireless local area networks.
