Verizon Business launches with new wireless services

Verizon Communications Inc. on Monday launched a new division that markets telecommunication services to large businesses across the U.S., including a new integrated wireline and wireless package available to large organizations.

Verizon Business, created by Verizon's acquisition of MCI Inc. this month, will focus on providing telecom and Internet services, including optical network products and data services such as frame relay, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) and private line, the company said.

Verizon Business is a combination of MCI and Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group, and the new entity counts 94 percent of the Fortune 500 as it customers, company officials said. "We believe this combination and this merger will change the experience for our customers," said John Killian, president of Verizon Business. "It is a game-changing event."

Asked if Verizon Business plans to compete with the new AT&T Inc., formed when SBC Communications Inc. acquired AT&T Corp. in November, company officials said they plan to continue MCI's global efforts.

"The combination of the two companies gives us reach around the world," Ed McGuinness, chief marketing officer for Verizon Business, said during a telephone press conference. "We expect to compete in all the markets in the U.S."

In addition to traditional voice and data services, Verizon Business will offer enterprise customers managed WAN (wide area network) and LAN services, VOIP (voice over Internet Protocol) services, and telecom equipment. Building on MCI's "robust suite" of VOIP services, VOIP will be a major area of focus for Verizon Business, McGuinness said.

On Monday, Verizon Business launched an enhanced suite of enterprise mobility solutions, based on MCI's remote access suite. The new mobility suite includes endpoint security and EV-DO (evolution-data optimized) broadband wireless capability, allowing workers to access their corporate systems and the Internet while traveling or working remotely.

Verizon Wireless' broadband service is available in 181 U.S. metropolitan areas, including Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C.

Verizon Business announced it is also making wireless broadband access available as a business continuity offering, providing companies a wireless backup for their data network in the case of network disruption from natural disasters or other problems.