Tony Melone, Verizon: Network and Technology Investment Continued in 2011

December 29, 2011

Throughout 2011, Verizon deployed new wireline and wireless technologies, expanding capabilities in network infrastructure and advancing strategic network projects -- all supporting such high-performance services as the award-winning FiOS and Carrier Ethernet, plus industry-leading cloud solutions.

"From local to global, Verizon's continued investment in networks and leading-edge technology is driving unsurpassed reliability and a superior consumer experience" said Tony Melone, chief technology officer for Verizon. "In addition, our world-class networks are enhancing, and even changing, business models for industries that use these networks.

"Our network strategy focuses on advancing technologies and expanding our network reach in a way that energizes future innovations, as we have seen in areas such as 4G LTE, 100G optical and FiOS," he said.

100G Technology Sets Verizon Apart

Marking two industry firsts, Verizon deployed 100 Gbps (gigabits per second) technology on portions of its European and U.S. networks.

The company has the first standards-based, multivendor 100 gigabit Ethernet link on its IP backbone on a portion of the company's European long-haul network, increasing capacity and performance for multinational business and government customers.

On its U.S. backbone network, Verizon deployed 100 Gbps technology on an ultra-long-haul optical system between New York and Chicago, helping deliver better efficiencies and scalability.

This advanced technology also significantly reduces latency - the time it takes for data sent from its entry point in the network to reach its destination-- as well as provides greater capacity per fiber and helps control costs.

What's After 100G?

In another industry first, Verizon and NEC Corporation of America jointly completed a field trial transmitting high bit-rate technologies, including 100 Gbps, 450 Gbps and 1T (1 terabit or 1,000 Gbps), coexisting on the same fiber. The trial, which measured the quality of the signal for all channels as well as the intensity of the optical signal, showed these "superchannels" are able to carry higher capacities while improving spectral efficiency without sacrificing distance.

Enterprise Cloud Services

Verizon acquired Terremark, which offers an unmatched combination of global data centers, cloud solutions and IT consulting services. World-class IT services and cloud offerings -- including virtualization, collocation, managed hosting, application management, storage and cloud computing services -- will help customers operate more nimbly and take advantage of better cost economies.

The company also acquired CloudSwitch, an innovative provider of cloud software technology that helps customers simplify moving to the enterprise cloud as well as helps boost industry adoption.

As a result of these acquisitions, Network World magazine ranked Verizon among the 10 most powerful cloud companies in the magazine's year-end list.

Leading the Way with Verizon Wireless 4G LTE

As of December 2011, Verizon Wireless has deployed its 4G LTE network in more than 190 markets across the U.S., covering more than 200 million people.

Verizon and SpectrumCo LLC -- a joint venture between Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks -- entered into an agreement in which Verizon Wireless will acquire 122 Advanced Wireless Services spectrum licenses covering 259 million points of presence.

The cable companies and Verizon Wireless also will become agents to sell one another's products and, eventually, the cable companies will have the option of selling Verizon Wireless' service on a wholesale basis. In addition, the cable companies and Verizon Wireless have formed an innovation technology joint venture for the development of technology to better integrate wireline and wireless products and services. This acquisition of spectrum is an important step toward meeting the consumer demand for additional mobile services.

FiOS Experience is One of the Best

Verizon conducted the first-of-its kind demonstration over its high-bandwidth FiOS network of a full-resolution high-definition 3D transmission via a premium TV service provider. Verizon and Panasonic -- a leader in Full HD 3D technology -- streamed Full HD 3D, currently the highest-possible resolution of 3D video, via Verizon's 100 percent fiber-optic FiOS TV service.

The Federal Communications Commission's report on residential wireline broadband service, "Measuring Broadband America," confirmed that Verizon FiOS Internet delivered 114 percent of its advertised upload and download speeds during peak periods, the highest of any Internet service provider tested. The report also cited the company's impressive symmetrical FiOS Internet speeds, which exceeded promised speeds and provided upstream speeds averaging four to six times faster than those of the closest competitor -- an important advantage for today's increasingly interactive Internet.

Leveraging the strength of the Verizon FiOS network, the company also announced several new entertainment experiences, including accessing FiOS TV on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system; Google Apps for Verizon; MY FiOS app; and expanded programming for ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN Buzzer Beater, MTV Networks, truTV HD and BET HD. These enhancements continue to break down old technology boundaries and free consumers to enjoy entertainment on their own terms.

Undersea Cables Provide Much-Needed Capacity

The submarine cable SEA-ME-WE4 was upgraded to 40 Gbps, enabling Verizon customers that do business in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East to take advantage of the additional capacity, improved performance and increased scalability.

In addition, the $700 million Europe India Gateway cable, one of the most advanced submarine cable systems in the world, was activated, offering additional diversity and capacity to meet critical communications needs of multinational companies.

International Expansion Benefits Global Customers

Verizon announced a new network alliance with Dialog Axiata PLC, which made possible the expansion of Verizon's Private IP network capabilities to Sri Lanka, a growing global commerce center.

The company also completed a fiber-optic network expansion project in Singapore, greatly increasing the company's network coverage and doubling capacity for enterprise customers, many of which are expanding operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Moving to IPv6

With the depletion of IPv4 addresses, Verizon expanded its Internet Dedicated service in Asia-Pacific and Europe and Private IP services globally to carry traffic using the next-generation Internet Protocol, IPv6. As a result, Verizon enterprise customers can exchange IPv6 traffic in multiple formats across both the company's global public Internet backbone and private IP network. This transition helps Verizon's business and government agencies continue to experience uninterrupted Internet service.