CONCLUSION

VERIZON WIRELESS has invested a lot to become 'America's most reliable wireless network' and they do not plan to stop. With their strong global differentation strategy, advertising campaign and plans to expand, they will definitely become the biggest threat to all wireless carriers. AT&T is still No. 1 as per the number of their customers, however, if Verizon Wireless closes the $28.1 billion deal to buy Alltel they will become the nation's largest mobile operator with more than 80 million subscribers.

VERIZON WIRELESS + ALLTEL = MILESTONE FOR THE FUTURE OF VERIZON

NETWORK & INTERNET

NETWORK

Verizon Wireless uses WAN network:
Powered by an Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) third generation (3G) wide-area network, BroadbandAccess offers the fastest commercially available wide-area, fully mobile wireless data experience in the nation today, with typical user download speeds of 300-500 kilobits per second (kbps). BroadbandAccess is based on CDMA technology, a digital wireless technology commercially developed by QUALCOMM. Because it is backward compatible, customers who travel outside a BroadbandAccess area with an EV-DO device will seamlessly switch to Verizon Wireless' existing NationalAccess network, based on 1xRTT technology.

BroadbadAccess Coverage Area:

Interface:

For customers, Verizon Wireless offers the three most commonly used interface types for the BroadbandAccess service:

• Standard Type II card slot, typically found on most Windows notebooks

• ExpressCard®/34 card slot, found on some newer Windows and Mac notebooks

• Universal Serial Bus (USB), found on most computers today

For businesses, Verizon Wireless uses a 3G Wireless WAN High Speed Interface Card (HWIC). This is a card manufactured and sold by Cisco which is used with Cisco integrated service routers for intergration with BroadbandAccess wireless router service. Wireless broadband-enabled routers allow businesses to link various devises within an office or remotely in cases of automatic teller machines (ATM), cash registers or branch office laptops.

Media:

Verizon wireless has there own Media Store. The Verizon Wireless Media Store was built using Adobe Flex and allows Verizon Wireless to provide their customers with an easy to navigate and use web-based interface to search, preview and purchase ringtones and ringback tones. The site uses Flash 9 and AS3 and ties into a back-end database for all of the data that's rendered including the text, thumbnails and MP3 previews.

Communications software:

Verizon Wireless uses many communications softwares for different types of devices. For example, many of their SmartPhones carry Windows mobile Software, BlackBerries use BlackBerry profesional software, and other phones use software like wireless sync, and mobile web 2.0. Also in 2002, Eyematic, a leading visual communications software provider, and Verizon Wireless announced the immediate availability of "Shout Messenger," the first animated mobile messaging application in the United States. Shout Messenger allows Verizon Wireless' Get It Now (SM) subscribers to personalize their mobile messages with popular Marvel Super Heroes animated in full color, including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and The X-Men characters Wolverine and Storm. In 2006, PacketVideo Corporation announced that their multimedia software powers handsets that deliver music content for Verizon Wireless' V CAST Music service, the world's first full-function mobile music service that lets consumers download music over-the-air to their phones and transfer music from their PCs within a single integrated application.

Connecting many devices through Open - Access network:

Verizon Wireless opened up its existing cellular network to access by the customer's choice of devices, assuming they comply with basic technical requirements. With that comes the customer's choice of applications, and the mobile operating systems on which they run. According to the article from the Network World "Carrier moves on open access" Verizon takes further steps in allowing access to their open-access network with many devices as of 2008.

"Customers' needs are increasing and diverging," Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam told reporters on Nov. 27, 07. "Soon Verizon Wireless will not be able to meet customer's needs with our specific portfolio of devices and applications. To keep up with the pace of innovation in the development community, and get ahead of customers' needs, we've decided to encourage the development of new devices and applications by further opening our network."

INTERNET

Speed & Connection:

Verizon Wireless offers America’s most reliable wireless broadband network - BroadbandAccess delivers even faster data speeds and greater efficiencies for web browsing and accessing corporate intranet and email:

• Fast downloads — typical speeds of 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps


• Fast uploads — typical speeds of 500-800 Kbps


• Low latency — improved performance for many applications running over the wireless broadband network.

Some large telecommunications carriers offer VoIP, but Verizon Wireless now offers VoIP only via the PC. The way the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) works is very similar to e-mail. You simply send your call over the Internet in packets of audio tagged with the same destination. VoIP reassembles the packets once they arrive as at their final destination. At this point Verizon Wireless does not offer VoIP over mobile on a commercial basis. Cellular operators are traditionally wary of VoIP, as it makes relatively inefficient use of scarce wireless bandwidth compared to today’s voice bearers, which have been optimized over many years for use in cellular networks.

Principles of Network Security:


CONFIDENTIALITY - Verizon Wireless takes privacy concerns very seriously. They have strong codes governing the privacy of communications and information. They believe in having a good balance of customer concerns about privacy with interest in receiving quality service and useful new products. Just as they are committed to safeguarding privacy of their customers, they require companies that do business with them protect their privacy too.

AVAILABILITY - This principle makes sure that the service is available when it is supposed to be. Verizon Wireless is considered the nation's most reliable network and it proudly makes sure that the service is always available to their customers when it is supposed to be. Verizon Wireless covers the rural areas better across the USA than any other cellular provider. No other provider can have 100% coverage at this time, but Verizon does it best!

AUTHENTICITY - This principles ensures that customers get information (service/products) from the source that it is expected to come from. For instance, the company has contracts with various global cell phone manufacturers and they guarantee that the products they offer are authentic and genuine. Consumers purchase devices from manufacturers such as Motorola, LG, Samsung or Blackberry, which have an authentic logo of Verizon Wireless embedded on the phones.

INTEGRITY - Integrity is the strength of who they are. It establishes the trust that is critical to the relationships they have. Verizon Wireless id committed to doing the right thing in business practices and in dealing with their customers, suppliers, owners and competitors. They require all employees to use their good judgement and to be accountable for their actions and conduct.

DOMAIN NAME:

www.verizonwireless.com

SOFTWARE

LINUX

Verizon Wireless has joined the Linux Mobile (LiMo) Foundation and has announced plans to adopt the open source software platform.

Automated Workforce Administration System (AWAS) --now has Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System(GIS) capabilities. GPS technology uses U.S. satellites to obtain pinpointlocation information. GIS technology depicts location data on maps to showlocations relative to physical objects. Verizon Information Technology's AWAS software package is designed forlarge businesses that regularly dispatch field forces to serve customers. Itis a major component of Verizon IT's overall operations support systems and business support system software applications. Global positioning and geographic information technology fits seamlessly into the current product's operating environment and improves dispatchefficiency and customer service for telecommunication service providers,utilities and other organizations with large field service fleets. According to Ravi Kallem, director of dispatch systems for Verizon DataServices, the new capability is offered as an option that includes mapping andreporting tools, as well as complete field force tracking. "Verizon's Automated Workforce Administration System software is anefficient and flexible workforce management solution that already givesdispatch centers comprehensive control over their service fleets," saidKallem. "Now, with GPS and GIS capabilities, the system offers managers true'at-a-glance' information. That means they're better equipped to makedispatch adjustments, provide more precise routing information to servicepersonnel and dramatically reduce the number of missed commitments tocustomers." Verizon has conducted exhaustive trials of the enhanced AWAS softwarewithin its own dispatch operations with impressive results, according toKallem. "Adding global positioning and global information capabilities to AWAS arepart of Verizon's commitment to continuously improve customer service," saidKallem. The enhanced AWAS tracks field technician movements using GPStransmitters located in service vehicles. Transmitters signal vehiclelocation data to GPS satellites. Location data is then interpreted by GISmapping technologies to depict vehicle location. The vehicle's location isthen compared to the location of a customer's facilities, physical and logicalarea boundaries, landmarks and obstructions. The GPS and GIS features enable work and the workforce to be displayedgraphically in real-time, so the dispatcher can assess situationsinstantaneously. While the system enables companies to efficiently deployworkforces to areas where work is concentrated, if dispatchers identify asudden trend in work levels, they can make quick decisions in response tochanging needs.

Information Technology

Verizon Information Technologies is a wholly owned subsidiary of VerizonData Services, itself a subsidiary of Verizon Communications, one of theworld's leading providers of communications services with approximately$67 billion in annual revenue. Verizon Data Services has more than 30 years experience in the development of telecommunications software solutions and management of information technology, across a variety of platforms and withina range of industries. By using the skills of more than 10,000 IT professionals, Verizon Information Technologies provides OSS and BSS telecommunications software products, IT outsourcing services, transactionprocessing, network management, telecommunications software systems, andhealthcare payor transaction processing and communications industry software.Verizon Data Services' eight data centers handle millions of transactionsdaily with industry-leading availability, reliability and security.

NEW ADDITION TO THE VERZION'S SOFTWARE!

Verizon Wireless announced that it is introducing new technology that will deliver system software updates over-the-air to new handsets. With a technology from InnoPath Software Inc., Verizon Wireless customers will be able to easily update embedded system software on some of the newest handsets using over-the-air technology.
The over-the-air download is designed to proactively alert Verizon Wireless customers to upgrade their system software before issues are apparent and will allow customers to avoid a visit to a store that is sometimes required to have an update installed. Using InnoPath’s ,Firmware Over-the-Air, solution, Verizon Wireless customers will receive a message on their wireless phone indicating that a new handset update is available. Customers will be periodically notified to download the updated software package by following simple on-screen prompts that will guide them through the process in a matter of minutes. The technology will be introduced in some new phones starting later this year, and throughout 2008.
Firmware, or system software, on mobile phones is a program or set of instructions programmed into the hardware of the device. Updates of firmware can enhance the calling quality and functionality of a device.

Business Intelligence - BI

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE DIMENSIONS WITHIN VERIZON WIRELESS

EDW - ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE

Verizon Wireless highly values its customers database information. In 2002, the company managed to implement EDW, which enabled the integration for historical and current data from all major customer touchpoints. It also served as the foundation for performing revenue, value and usage analysis on customers, products, services, and equipment. As explained in DM Review from 2005, "Verizon Wireless with TERADATA, a division of NCR", the EDW became the basis for data mining, campaign management and OLAP reporting and analysis, which guarantees Verizon Wireless the consistency across Business Intelligence metrics and analysis.

ACCESS TO DATABASE

When the company initally introduced the EDW, there was 75 employees with overlapping functions such as production support, DBAs, analysts, data modelers, application developers, data mining specialists, and developers. All of them had access to the database warehouse. After the consolidation efforts were completed, it was reduced to 40 employees. Customer database users are primarily from sales & merketing, finance and customer service departments. The system enables executives, end users, and IT personnel to see customers at the level of detail and completeness necessary to take timely and relevant actions.

REPORTS

For Customers:

After conducting a thorough evaluation, Databeacon software (supports the design of OLAP) was selected to help Verizon provide the service on-line and on-demand. A web reporting and analysis solution provided customers with immediate access to the information they required. Instead of waiting an expected two years for the completion of a consolidated data warehouse required as a precursor by competitive BI products, Databeacon enabled Verizon to leap-frog their competitors from a time-to-market perspective by implementing an data migration solution in 10 days. Users of the service simply login to the Verizon web site, indicate the nature of the report they require and a Databeacon cube is dynamically built and delivered to their desktop. Once delivered, the user then has the option of utilizing a set of standardized reports or manipulating the cube to meet the individual needs of their organization.

For Employees:

In an effort to increase sales personal productivity and expand its wireless data capabilities, Verizon Wireless went live with Corporate Link, a suite of mobile applications that runs on the wireless capabilities of

Oracle9i Application Server (Oracle9iAS). Logging onto Corporate Link via phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other wireless device provides the company sales force and senior executives with 24x7 access to email, productivity, sales, and CRM applications.

DATA MINING

The leading data mining products, such as those from companies like SAS and IBM, are now more than just modeling engines employing powerful algorithms. Instead, they address the broader business and technical issues, such as their integration into today’s complex information technology environments. Data Mining uses well-established statistical and machine learning techniques to build models that predict customer behavior. However, Verizon Wireless believes that data mining is actually a violation of privacy for their customers. As Intelius, a data mining company, has announced plans to sell the cell phone numbers of private citizens, Verizon Wireless urged the company to halt the mining and sale of these numbers: "Stop it. This is a violation of Americans' privacy. People expect their cell phone numbers to remain private," said Steve Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel of Verizon Wireless. "Trolling the Internet, using data mining techniques and simply buying lists to create a directory are actions that clearly violate a consumer's right to privacy," Zipperstein continued. "Verizon Wireless has long refused to release our customers' numbers and we call on legislators and policy makers to ensure that what a consumer wants to be private stays that way."

TECHNOLOGY

The Access that Preserves Your Capital
Gain access to routing data for portable numbers from one provider -- Verizon. Their national footprint saves customers the trouble of negotiating access with multiple service providers in different regions.
Local Number Portability (LNP) is a circuit-switched network capability that allows carriers to move numbers to different switching systems. Thus, it becomes easy for you to let customers keep their phone numbers when they change providers, type of service or move physical locations. Verizon's LNP Database Query Service allows you single-source access to routing data so your customers' calls will arrive at the appropriate location.


How It Works:
When customers dial a number within a portable NPA-NXX, your central office or mobile switching center routes the query to a Verizon signal transfer point (STP) over an SS7 link. Verizon directs the query to their LNP database and send the Location Routing Number (LRN) information back to the customer's switch for call routing. And of course, Verzion keeps the LNP database current to ensure accuracy.


Benefits:
Verizon's LNP uses our infrastructure. So, one can count on reliability, speed-to-market and preserving capital dollars to grow your network in other directions.
Verizon maintains and monitors the network for all their customers. Typically, potential problems are resolved before they ever have a chance to cause disruption.
When you need an answer, Verizon specialists are just a phone call away.
Leveraging our SS7 network can be profitable when an individual or company sells Caller ID, Single Number Service and DB800 Services to their customers.



LNP is a circuit-switched network capability that allows carriers on one switching system to move directory numbers to a different switching system. Mandated by the Federal Communications Commission in July 1996, LNP enables subscribers to change local service providers without changing their phone number. Our LNP service helps carriers rise to the challenge easily and cost-effectively by offering:
Nationwide service or regional coverage tailored to meet your geographic needs.
Operational economies inherent in working with a reliable, single source provider.
A low query cost and volume discounts based on your query volumes.
Significantly faster deployment in your customer markets utilizing our existing LNP infrastructure.




Data Warehouse
PARS (Performance Assurance Reporting Suite) which is a relational online analytical processing (ROLAP) application. This is operated on the top of the comapny's active enterprise data warehouse environment provided by Teradata in one high-speed server
Click HERE for more information about verizon's data warehouse

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Based on operating income, Verizon Wireless is the most profitable wireless communications provider in the United States and their goal is to continue to implement the key elements of their strong business strategy of global differentiation. The focus of the company is on providing a high-quality service that is designed specifically to meet the growing needs of the customers. The company’s strategy entails a global dimension as it is a joint venture of Verizon Communications, covering a population of 260 million within the United States, and Vodafone Group, which is the largest mobile telecommunications network company in the world, headquartered in England, UK. Verizon continues to fulfill all of the company's promises and is proud of their growing expansion within the wireless industry. The following is a News Center article explaining in detail how Verizon Wireless builds on their business strategy to provide superior service, "Nation’s Leading Wireless Carrier Delivers the Fastest Commercially Available High-Speed Wide-Area Network in the United States". In order to be able to differentiate their service from other competitors, Verizon Wireless tries to accomplish the following objectives:

• Provide the highest network quality through CDMA [code division multiple access] technology
  

• Improve data transmission rates through EV-DO [evolution data optimized] technology





• Continue to expand the wireless data, messaging, and multi-media offerings for both customer and business segments





• Focus on efficiency and satisfaction rates in customer service, distribution and product development divisions
  
  

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT & MICHAEL PORTER'S FIVE FORCES ANALYSIS

1) Buyer Power
The Buyer Power that is used by Verizon Wireless is relatively high due to competition. The way Verizon Wireless is trying to reduce this Buyer Power is by creating a competitive advantage that will attract more customers thanks to the quality and innovation of their services as well as products and features such as GPS systems offered in cell phones. Verizon Wireless is also improving their customer service and providing a high network quality through new technologies like EV-DO, which improves data transmission rates and creates a competitive advantage in this buyer powered industry.



2) Supplier Power
Verizon Wireless has many suppliers that provide different varieties of wireless telephones and devices such as Smartphones and PDAs’. Main suppliers are Samsung, LG, Blackberry, Motorola, Nokia and Palm. Each one of them offers a distinct range of colors, sizes and innovative technologies, which are geared towards a wide range of targeted users. Therefore, the supplier power is low as the customers have many choices to go with.

3) Threat of Substitute Products or Services
There are many different plans offered by Verizon Wireless to suit each individual’s needs. It ranges from basic phones and services to elaborate executive corporate plans and sophisticated touchscreen devices. A possible threat could be Nextel technology that uses walkie-talkie devices popular in commercial companies and mainly used by construction workers. Also, new internet based communication software could possible threaten the revenues in the wireless communications industry. As the technology advances, it is much more accessible and feasible to use Internet and portable laptops as means of free communication that could easily substitute for cell phones and paid wireless network services. For instance, Skype program is used all over the world as a no cost telecommunications service with the advantage feature that shows a visual image of the person you are having the conversation with.

Also, in the wireless network industry it is common for companies to require a contract in order to create and control switching costs in case customers decide to switch to another company. Verizon wireless charges fees to avoid losing existing customers to their competition and to lower the threat of subsitute products or services.


4) Threat of new entrants
The threat of new entrants is low in wireless network industry as it is a quite hard place to gain access to as a new service provider. However, the companies have learned the advantages of the joint ventures and it is much more common to see wireless companies merging together to benefit from all of the advantages from both companies at the same time. It creates the threat as if it was a new entrant as the competition is much higher and companies must adjust their strategies in order to keep their competitive advantages.

5) Rivalry Among Existing Competitors
AT&T is Verizon's biggest competitor because they have the highest number of customers in the United States. They have been in the wireless cell phone market longer than Verizon Wireless. They also have an advantage of a roll-over minutes program, which allows the customers who do not use all their minutes in one billing cycle to carry them to the next one. The USA Today article, "AT&T eager to wield its iWeapon", depicts the fierceness of the rivalry between Verizon and AT&T, where both companies claim to be No.1 in the industry; AT&T for their customers and Verizon for their revenues. However, on June 5th, Verizon has announced that the company made an agreement to take over Alltel and consequently it will transform Verizon into the largest wireless network in the country. The article posted on Forbes.com, "Verizon Buys Alltel; Takes Over the Wireless World" explains the advantages and disadvantages of this breaking-news deal.

BUSINESS INITIATIVES AT VERIZON WIRELESS

First major business initiative used by Verizon Wireless is customer relationship management system [CRM]. The goal of this system is to reduce as many negative interactions and provide customers only with positive experiences. It includes such functions as sales force automation and customer service and support. Verizon Wireless is one of the very few companies that offer their customers the opportunities to save money through online services. For instance, the wireless carrier will guarantee that customers who pay their bills online will receive emails notifying them if a different price plan better matches their usage needs.

Verizon also uses Supply Chain Management [SCM] as their business initiative. The article from NetworkWolrd by Jim Daffy talks about how Verizon got into supply chain management in 2007. It provides customers with two main offerings such as custom supply chain managed services and invoice automation services.

Also, E-collaboration plays a great role within Verizon Communications. As a matter of fact, Verizon introduced a ‘collaboration calculator’ in 2007, which is a Web-based tool designed to help large businesses and government agencies quickly and simply measure the effectiveness of existing collaborative initiatives and determine potential next steps for improving teamwork and performance. In conclusion, Verizon Wireless definitely uses a top-line initiatives and activities. The company focus is on increasing revenues and reaching new customer segments and offering new products all at the same time. The company has been rewarded for fulfilling their mission to be recognized as the U.S. market leader in wireless industry and continues to get rave reviews around the nation. Few of the recent 2008 Awards are as follows:

• Best Place To Work In IT
• A Leader In Customer Satisfaction
• Recognized for Embracing ‘Green’ IT
• Top Company For Diversity
• Leaders in Loyalty
• Verizon Wireless Is “Carrier Of The Year”
  

E-commerce allows Verizon Wireless to build on the relationship with millions of their customers, consumers and companies from all over the world. The technology allows anyone to take advantage of the features available on their company website: www.verizonwireless.com at any given time or from any place or location in the world. E-Commerce offers the ability of e-advertising through sites such as You Tube, which posts videos with Verizon’s commercials and reviews of different products offered by the company. Through the technology of Internet, consumers and companies have a wide variety of information available online that relates to Verizon Wireless. For instance, materials such as newspaper articles, news videos, awards, financial data, company information and much more is available online with a click of a mouse. In addition, the company is able to offer a much broader variety of services through E-commerce. Debra Carroll, a previous vice president of Marketing for Verizon Wireless, concluded the following: "Our Internet strategy is focused on giving our customers wireless access to the Web-based information they want, when they want it,"… "We want our customers to have fast and easy access to information and m-commerce from their digital handset, especially when it comes to e-shopping for the best deal." Verizon Wireless customers are able to access comprehensive database to receive pricing and manufacturer information on millions of products directly from their Web-enabled digital phones. Also, mPoria – a provider of e-commerce mobile solutions and GameStop – a global video game retailer came out with a feature of ‘EB Games by mPoria’ available to Verizon Wireless mobile customers. Other features like mobile stores for gifts and flowers became available to Verizon Wireless users. At this point, Verizon Wireless is using every kind of E-commerce dimension in order to support their brick-and-mortar traditional sales.

Verizon wireless uses two types of E-Commerce which are B2B (Business To Business) and B2C (Business to Consumers). These two forms of e-Commerce help Verizon expand their market not only to a consumer market but also to any business or corporation that requires their services. Verizon offers specially discounted rates and plans for businesses. In addition, Verizon also extended its services to be offered to the government. As listed on the company website, ‘It’s the network for Government’: “Wireless communications, wireless Internet access, and wireless collaboration are critical to helping the Government operate effectively and efficiently. We are dedicated to partnering with Government and industry leaders to support mission-critical demands with wireless voice and data solutions designed for the specific needs of the state, local, and federal government sectors.”

The type of marketing mix adopted by Verizon includes the online ads, pop-ups, and affiliate programs. The company has the online ads on Google, MySpace, YouTube, E-bay, any website that will attract their target market's attention. Our affiliate programs are those websites that also provide our services as retail store websites like Best Buy, Wal-mart and Circuit City.
Verizon allows their customers to pay their bills online within their own online account that grants them access to the Electronic Bill Presentment and Payment (EBPP) system which also has the option for the electronic check payments that allow customers to take the money straight out of the saving or checking accounts.

Verizon wireless Privacy Policy

Wireless communications and Internet technology are changing the way all companies do business - and changing the way they collect and use information about their customers. Used responsibly, that information can help companies serve customers better. At Verizon Wireless, however, realize that advances in wireless communications technology, especially the advent of wireless location technology, bring growing concerns by customers and policymakers about how customer information is used and shared.

Verizon Wireless takes your privacy concerns very seriously. They have always been guided by strong codes governing the privacy of your communications and information. There Privacy Principles reflect our commitment and define our policy on safeguarding your privacy. They believe that these Principles strike a reasonable balance of customer concerns about privacy with your interest in receiving quality service and useful new products. This is especially important at a time when emerging wireless communications services present us with new business opportunities and new challenges to protect customer privacy. There Principles give you choice and flexibility regarding how we use that information. And these Principles guide our employees in handling customer information so that your private information remains private. They put customers first. Verizon has a code of conduct to ensure that all there customers are treated with high level of appreciation and to create a culture of integrity between the company and the customer.

Security

Verizon Wireless uses Secure Socket Layer technology with encryption for the transmission of sensitive data such as credit card information and Social Security Number.

Verizon Wireless is committed to safeguarding customer privacy on all our websites. We require our employees to protect the privacy of information about our customers and expect our partners and suppliers to do so as well. You can feel confident that your individual information will be protected when you access your account or order products or services from our websites. We employ security measures to safeguard your transactions with us.

Compliance with laws

Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our websites.