Verizon Wireless continues to make news with its LTE network, both with progress on building the network and by providing services that take advantage of Verizon’s cloud services, wireline IP network and wireless broadband LTE access. Verizon Wireless already lays claim to America’s largest 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, which covers more than 75% of the U.S. population. Counting market launches and network expansion in the past week, the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network will be available to customers in 371 markets across the country.
Verizon Wireless also got good news from the U.S. Department of Justice, which has conditionally approved the $3.9 billion sale of radio spectrum to Verizon from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Cox Communications. While the deal still needs additional regulatory approval from the FCC before it can be finalized, the additional spectrum can help Verizon continue to expand its capacity to grow its LTE network.
BACKGROUND: DOJ approves Verizon spectrum deal, but will require changes
MORE: Verizon LTE network now covers two-thirds of U.S. population
As for evolving enterprise mobility services, Verizon also recently announced it is enhancing its Field Force Manager and Fleet Control portfolio. The new features include a new version of the company’s workforce management application, designed to help field employees with mobile tools and applications using 3G and 4G LTE mobile devices. The enhancements add to Verizon’s other mobile services, including those acquired when Verizon bought Hughes Telematics — a story we covered back in the spring.
Verizon Wireless has also capitalized on its LTE network in other creative ways, including a new HomeFusion Broadband service that provides high-speed in-home Internet access for areas that traditionally have not had reliable access to high-speed Internet. With HomeFusion, an antenna is installed at the home and it is used to transmit Verizon’s 4G LTE network signal to an in-home broadband router. Customer can connect up to four wired and at least 20 wireless devices in the household using Wi-Fi, with average data rates of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2-5Mbps on the uplink. Consumers can choose from several usage-based plans starting at $60 monthly access for 10GB.
Our observations: Mobile carriers will continue to find ways to promote usage on their LTE networks for both consumer and enterprise markets. We expect that mobile applications bundled with mobile broadband that are designed to meet specific customer needs will be increasingly used to differentiate between these mobile operators.
