Verizon Wireless to launch downloading service

ATLANTA: Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest wireless telephone company,

on Wednesday said it plans to launch on June 17 a new service that allows

customers to download games, entertainment and information onto their cell

phones.

The service uses Qualcomm Inc.'s technology and gives users the ability to

download applications and personalize their mobile devices wirelessly via the

Internet.

The Qualcomm technology, called BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for

Wireless), is an alternative to Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java platform called

J2ME.

The two technologies are in direct competition for market share in wireless

data, which is expected to be a big catalyst for revenue and growth in the

industry. Bedminster, New Jersey-based Verizon Wireless is the first and only US

wireless service provider offering downloadable applications using BREW.

Verizon Wireless said features offered at launch will include games such as

EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf and JAMDAT Bowling, entertainment services

such as Magic 8 Ball and more than 250 musical ring tones from Vivendi

Universal's Moviso Inc.

Customers will also be able send photos, track expenses, and access

directories using other applications.

The joint venture between Verizon Communications and Britain's Vodafone Group

already bases its network on Qualcomm's CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)

technology, which is the dominant wireless technology standard in the United

States.

Sprint PCS, the No. 4 US wireless company which also has a CDMA network, has

chosen J2ME for its downloading technology because J2ME has more than 2 million

developers and Sprint PCS prefers to have a direct relationship with them

instead of going through Qualcomm.

While Verizon Wireless has chosen to initially offer downloadable

applications based on BREW, Jim Straight, vice president of data and Internet

services for Verizon Wireless, said the company also plans to offer J2ME-based

applications by early next year.

Verizon Wireless said BREW applications will only be accessible through

BREW-capable phones, and prices for the new services will differ depending on

the application. Air time charges will apply during the selection and download

process, but users can access the applications anytime without incurring airtime

charges once they have been downloaded.

Initially available BREW phones will include the Z-800 and Kyocera 3035e. The

Z-800 phone will cost $399.99 with a two-year service agreement and the Kyocera

phone will cost $49.99 also with a two-year commitment.

(C) Reuters Limited.