US : Starent Networks, a leader in next-generation intelligent mobile infrastructure solutions, announced today that Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless provider, selected the company to provide core network equipment for the carrier's 3G Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) high-speed wireless data network. The national deployment marks the first CDMA2000 1xEV-DO service in North America.

The Verizon Wireless EV-DO network supports V CAST, the company's consumer multimedia service launched in February, as well as BroadbandAccess, the most widely available mobile broadband service in the United States.

Verizon Wireless is deploying Starent's ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway for use as a Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) and Home Agent (HA) in its network. The ST16 Intelligent Mobile Gateway deployment is part of Verizon Wireless' planned $1 billion investment through 2005 to expand its 3G EV-DO network from coast to coast.

"The ongoing deployment of Verizon Wireless' 3G EV-DO network allows us to provide our customers with a superior high-speed data service while offering tremendous mobility," said Edward Salas, vice president of network planning for Verizon Wireless. "Verizon Wireless selects and deploys the market's best equipment to provide our customers with high-quality, high-speed wireless access to feature-rich data applications and services."

Verizon Wireless, one of the world's most prominent mobile operators with 43.8 million customers, offers the fastest commercially available wide-area, mobile wireless data service in the United States through its BroadbandAccess service for business customers that operates on the company's EV-DO network. Typical download speeds are 400-700 kilobits per second (kbps). At these speeds, customers can expect interaction with e-mail, Internet browsing and multimedia service similar to a wired broadband connection.

"Being involved with the deployment of Verizon Wireless' next-generation network is a significant milestone for the company," said Ashraf Dahod, president and chief executive officer of Starent Networks Corp.