Verizon Wireless and Lucent Technologies (NYSE: LU) today announced the completion of the wireless industry's first, live, over-the-air calls using CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A technology. The two companies plan to conduct a more extensive technology trial in early 2006, which will include the delivery of Voice over IP (VoIP) and new, "blended lifestyle" services and simultaneous multimedia applications that combine voice, data and video capabilities such as video telephony.

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. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A enables users to receive data (forward link) at speeds of theoretically up to 3.1 Megabits per second (Mbps) and send data (reverse link) at speeds of theoretically up to 1.8 Mbps. These increased reverse link data speeds reduce data latency and will enable operators such as Verizon Wireless to deliver VoIP and other multimedia services on CDMA2000 networks in the future.

"We're excited about EV-DO Revision A technology and the value and innovative, new services it will bring to enterprises and consumers," said Bill Stone, executive director of network strategy, Verizon Wireless. "Today, we provide service on the largest, fastest wireless broadband network available. Rev A will allow us to maintain our leading position in mobile broadband data and demonstrates the strong investment protection that CDMA2000 technology provides."

Using Lucent's commercial CDMA2000 infrastructure, pre-commercial software and a test terminal provided by QUALCOMM, Verizon Wireless and Lucent demonstrated simultaneous video, voice and data services such as two-way video conferencing at speeds of up to 3.1 Mbps on the forward link and 1.8 Mbps on the reverse link.

"Verizon Wireless and Lucent have been working together for years to deliver the most advanced mobile services to end users and this milestone and our planned technology trial is another example of this continuing effort," said Mike Iandolo, Mobility Access Solutions vice president and general manager for Lucent Technologies. "CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A is a compelling technology for service providers and end users alike. It will enable service providers to offer new revenue-generating services and make more efficient use of spectrum resources to deliver multimedia services. For end users, there will be many benefits as well, such as the creation of richer multimedia content through the simultaneous delivery of voice and high-speed data capabilities."

Lucent's CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A infrastructure will be commercially available in 2006.