Verizon Wireless expands high-speed broadband network
on Cape
Verizon Wireless customers on the Cape can now
speedily download songs, television clips, news
and other multimedia components to their cell phones.
The company announced yesterday that it has expanded
its high-speed broadband network to Cape Cod and
Southeastern Massachusetts.
Previously, Verizon cell-phone Web surfers on the
Cape were stuck with a basic Internet service available
through the company's voice network, which was not
fast enough to download large files such as music
or video, said spokeswoman Wendy Bulawa-Agudelo.
She likened the change to a computer user switching
from a dial-up modem to a broadband connection,
such as cable or DSL.
"It's a much faster service," she said.
The new network can be used both by cell phones
and laptops equipped with special cards sold by
Verizon.
The company's high-speed Internet browsing service,
called BroadbandAccess, costs $59.99 per month for
Verizon customers and $79.99 for non-customers,
and requires a one- or two-year service contract,
according to the company.
Its multimedia downloading service, called V Cast,
is available to Verizon cell phone users for $3
per day or $15 per month.
Colin Eitelbach, owner of the Wireless Zone in
Orleans, a Verizon vendor, said he is delighted
with the broadband network expansion.
"It's so much better than it was," he
said about the service. "Now the Cape is up
to speed."
Over the past month, as the new network has gradually
come on line, Eitelbach said customers have been
eagerly buying laptop cards and multimedia downloading
packages. In time, he expects the improved network
will stimulate demand for Verizon's fancier Web-enabled
handsets, such as "smart phones" like
the BlackBerry, and the Chocolate, a combination
phone and MP3 player.
"That's been taking off," he said about
Cape Codders' interest in the phones. "That's
what the kids are all about these days."
Although Web surfing is now easier, the change
did not affect the Verizon's voice network coverage
on the Cape. However, Bulawa-Agudelo said the company
is continuing to search for spotty service throughout
New England and the rest of the country and making
improvements.
"Our network is our No. 1 priority outside
of customers," she said.
