Telecom Transport Management, Inc. (TTM) Helps Verizon Wireless Prepare Parts of Minnesota as It Builds the Nation's First 4G LTE Network

LAS VEGAS, SEATTLE, and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- From CTIA WIRELESS 2010®, Telecom Transport Management, Inc. (TTM) and Verizon Wireless announced today that Verizon Wireless is using TTM's cell site backhaul services to build the nation's first 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.  

TTM is providing high-capacity Ethernet backhaul to Verizon Wireless LTE cell sites in portions of Minnesota.  TTM is primarily accomplishing this by connecting fiber-optic cables to Verizon Wireless cell sites and then using licensed microwave technology to connect to harder-to-reach sites.  This approach enables TTM to deliver high-capacity Ethernet backhaul to a wide area.

"We are thrilled to help Verizon Wireless launch and grow its LTE offering in portions of Minnesota," said TTM's Chief Executive Officer, Lynn Refer.  "As the wireless industry switches from T-1s to Ethernet backhaul, we are proud to work through the migration with a leader such as Verizon Wireless. The bandwidth that TTM is now deploying at each LTE cell site will enable Verizon Wireless to seamlessly scale and meet the dramatic growth in consumer data consumption."

Nicola Palmer, Verizon Wireless network vice president, said, "As we prepare for the launch of our 4G LTE network, we're pleased to be working with TTM in portions of Minnesota."

Verizon Wireless' LTE rollout plan positions the company as a global leader in 4G LTE deployment, and it is on track to deliver the nation's first 4G LTE network to customers in 25 to 30 markets, covering roughly 100 million people by year's end.  Verizon Wireless has been conducting trials in Boston and Seattle since August 2009 that have indicated that the network is capable of peak download speeds of 40 to 50 megabits per second (Mbps), peak upload speeds of 20 to 25 Mbps, and average data rates of 5 to 12 Mbps on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink in real-world environments.  The speeds are significantly faster than Verizon Wireless and other wireless providers' current or promised 3G network speeds.  

By leveraging its 700 MHz spectrum for LTE deployment in the United States, Verizon Wireless is capable of quickly deploying a high-quality wireless broadband network with excellent coverage and in-building penetration and is currently installing LTE equipment at existing cell sites and switching centers around the United States.

Visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte for more information about Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network.  For more information about Telecom Transport Management, Inc., visit www.ttmi.us.  

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 91 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 83,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Telecom Transport Management, Inc (TTM)

Telecom Transport Management, Inc (TTM) is a pioneer and leading provider of wireless backhaul and alternate access services, whose customers include all of the top U.S. wireless carriers. TTM operates its facility based fiber and microwave networks in 13 metropolitan areas across 5 Midwest and Eastern states and is continually expanding. TTM provides Ethernet and TDM services simultaneously over its network to enable carriers to migrate from 3G to 4G. TTM was started by wireless industry founders from the McCaw Cellular executive team and early leaders of the CLEC industry. Its investors include Battery Ventures, Columbia Capital, DCM, Highside Capital Management, Ignition Partners, Rally Capital, Trilogy Equity Partners, and Sea Point Ventures. For more information, visit www.ttmi.us.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless