Verizon Wireless and Lucent Technologies announced that Verizon Wireless has selected Lucent to deploy CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A technology into its nationwide network. Lucent's Rev. A solution, which consists of incremental hardware and software upgrades to Verizon Wireless' existing Lucent-supplied base stations, will enable Verizon Wireless to introduce a range of new services such as enhanced push-to-talk, messaging, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

With this agreement, Lucent will continue to be one of Verizon Wireless' primary next-generation network infrastructure suppliers. Financial details are not being disclosed.

"EV-DO Rev. A is a robust technology that will allow us to provide our customers with new services that blend voice, data, video and multimedia applications," said Ed Salas, vice president of network planning, Verizon Wireless. "Lucent has long been a key partner and has helped us provide our customers the most satisfying wireless experience possible. Going forward, we're going to count on Lucent as we roll out services, like Voice Over IP, that will help advance the way people communicate."

Verizon Wireless and Lucent completed the industry's first, live, over-the-air calls using EV-DO Rev. A technology in August 2005, and have since conducted live VoIP and video telephony calls using the EV-DO Rev. A Quality of Service (QoS) feature.

"Verizon Wireless and Lucent have been working together for years to deliver the most advanced mobile services to end users, and this agreement is another example of this continuing effort," said Lisa DeLaurentis, vice president of sales for Lucent Technologies. "Our EV-DO Rev. A solution will enable Verizon Wireless to cost-effectively upgrade its network to support new and exciting lifestyle- and productivity-enhancing services."

CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A is an enhanced version of CDMA2000 1xEV-DO that increases the efficiency, data speeds and capacity of existing EV-DO networks. EV-DO Rev. A enables users to receive data (forward link) at speeds up to 3.1 Megabits per second (Mbps) and send data (reverse link) at speeds of up to 1.8 Mbps. These increased forward and reverse link data speeds reduce data latency and will enable operators such as Verizon Wireless to deliver VoIP and other multimedia services.