Verizon outlined plans to develop 
and deploy its fourth generation mobile broadband network using LTE -- Long Term Evolution -- the technology developed within the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards organization.
The selection of LTE provides Verizon and Vodafone -- joint owners of U.S.-based Verizon Wireless -- with a unique opportunity to adopt a common access platform with true global scale and compatibility with existing technologies of both companies.
Verizon and Vodafone have a coordinated trial plan for LTE that begins in 2008. Trial suppliers include Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Motorola, Nokia-Siemens, and Nortel. The companies also said that discussions with device suppliers have expanded beyond traditional suppliers such as LG, Samsung, Motorola, Nokia, and Sony Ericsson, as consumer electronics companies anticipate embedded wireless functionality in their future products.
Verizon Wireless currently serves about 64 million mobile users on its existing CDMA2000 1x and EV-DO networks.
"A number of factors are setting the stage for our 4G network migration; most importantly, our view of customers' evolving appetite for more information, entertainment, and functionality, combined with an increasing customer expectation for easy access, high speed, easy handling, and seamless mobility. With a host of new devices and applications, and a particular focus on embedded wireless in virtually every piece of electronics you buy in any store, we believe LTE is the best technology with global scale to deliver on the promise," commented Richard Lynch, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Verizon Communications.
http://www.verizonwireless.com
- n May 2007, a group of leading telecom technology manufacturers and network operators comprised of Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, France Telecom/Orange, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, T-Mobile, and Vodafone, launched a joint initiative aimed at driving high performance mobile broadband networks based on 3GPP Release 8 "Long Term Evolution / System Architecture Evolution" (LTE/SAE) specifications.
The LTE/SAE Trial Initiative targets mobile broadband peak data rates exceeding 100 Mbps. In line with 3GPP requirements, LTE/SAE aims to provide a mobile broadband service that outperforms both 3GPP Release 6 HSPA, as well as current fixed line DSL data rates while maintaining and extending the highly successful mobility and coverage benefits of 3GPP networks such as GSM.
3GPP LTE/SAE networks are expected to enable lower operating costs for operators as well as higher data-rate, lower latency end-user services, and an improved end-user wireless mobility experience.
LTE radio systems are designed to provide both greater levels of radio spectrum efficiency through use of new radio transmission schemes and advanced multi-antenna technologies, and a more flexible utilization of radio spectrum through support of carrier bandwidths ranging from 1.25 MHz to 20 MHz (subject to 3GPP ratification).
The companies are planning a series of joint tests including radio transmission performance tests, early interoperability tests, field tests and full customer trials. Joint activities will commence in May2007, and are expected to run for a period of 18-24 months. Commercial deployments are expected in the 2009/2010 timeframe. - In November 2007, Alcatel-Lucent and LG Electronics completed Long Term Evolution (LTE) test calls using Alcatel-Lucent's LTE solution and mobile device prototypes from LG. The companies described the accomplishment as a milestone in the commercialization of this next-generation wireless technology, which is currently being standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). 3GPP LTE technology will leverage improved spectral efficiency and increased radio capacity to enable downlink/uplink peak data rates above 100/50 Mbps in initial deployment configurations. The tests were conducted using both single antenna and multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) 2x2 configurations, transmitting over a 10 MHz channel.
