Verizon awards Nortel $1 billion contract

Verizon Wireless has awarded Nortel Networks a $US1 billion multiyear contract to supply equipment for upgrading and expanding Verizon's nationwide network. Verizon Wireless plans to deploy CDMA2000 1X radio base stations, switching, Passport IP platforms and other related equipment from Nortel in Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego. The agreement also includes a market build-out and deployment of CDMA2000 1X technology in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The upgrades are designed to provide more network capacity for digital voice and high-speed data services such as Web browsing, streaming audio and video, multimedia messaging, m-commerce and VPNs. Verizon Wireless has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network with 34.6 million customers.