Verizon has upgraded its private wireless network service, combining it with the company's 4G LTE cellular network to create a "highly secure, high-speed" offering for businesses.
Verizon previously offered its Private IP Wireless network over its Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO) network infrastructure only, serving 190,000 customers. But in January, Verizon began upgrading the service to the much faster 4G LTE technology, according to Computerworld. Verizon has rolled the LTE version out to about two dozen business customers, and publicly announced the service today.
"With the new service, customers with LTE smartphones and tablets and LTE modems for their laptops can access the nearest cell tower and will then be routed to an enterprise gateway in one of many Verizon switching centers," Computerworld reported. "Data routed to and through the enterprise gateway is encoded, but not encrypted, and kept totally separate from the public Internet. Encryption of the data can be added, if desired."
Businesses must pay a $500 one-time charge to create a mobile private network, which can serve up to 1,000 sites, and then pay for wireless data costs. Verizon said in its press release that it expects the network to be used in various industries, including transportation, auto manufacturing, media and entertainment, retail, and distribution.
In a related story, Verizon Wireless announced yesterday that its LTE network will be able to cover more than two-thirds of the US population with 27 new markets and expansions in 44 markets being rolled out this week. The company's goal is to cover 400 markets and more than 260 million people in the US with LTE by the end of this year.
Although wireless carriers have been complaining that they need more spectrum, Verizon seems to have plenty. Verizon recently announced plans to buy spectrum from Comcast and Time Warner, raising concerns from its smaller competitor, T-Mobile.
Verizon Wireless is proceeding with the assumption that the spectrum purchase will be completed by this summer. The company announced today that upon completion of the purchase it will auction off its 700 MHz A and B spectrum licenses, because they're not necessary for Verizon's 4G network.
Listing image by Photograph by forums.verizon.com
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