Verizon - Experts & Thought Leaders

Verizon Business wraps up the 2024 Innovation Sessions by returning to Los Angeles and SoFi Stadium on December 4. Hosted alongside event partner Ericsson, the Los Angeles Innovations Session will feature 5G-powered innovations that are changing the way enterprises and small and midsize businesses operate. Attendees will hear from industry pioneers and subject matter experts during fireside chats, panel discussions, and executive insights sessions. Executives from Fox Sports, Ticketmaster, FIFA, Google, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, Ericsson, and Verizon Business will participate. Power of 5G “SoFi Stadium is the perfect venue to close out the 2024 Innovation Sessions tour. What makes SoFi Stadium the ideal place to talk innovation and the future is that Verizon had a pivotal role from the groundbreaking to the opening, ensuring the network infrastructure would be world-class while providing the framework for boundless innovation for years to come,” said Massimo Peselli, Chief Revenue Officer, Global Enterprise and Public Sector, Verizon Business. “By bringing IT and business pioneers from across industries together in this true innovation proving ground, we can have real conversations about the power of 5G, the current and future state of AI, and much more. There is power and excitement when you bring the best minds together, as it creates a renewed energy as to what’s possible today and that there is no idea too big for the future. That’s what Verizon Business’ Innovation Sessions are all about.” Digital transformation experts Among the companies presenting demos are Verizon Business, Ericsson, and Google Among the companies presenting demos are Verizon Business, Ericsson, and Google. Verizon Business will demo cyber risk programs, Sensor Insights, Verizon Business Assistant, a turnkey, AI-powered chatbot solution, 5G-connected devices, and the Proto hologram; Ericsson will demo 5G cloud gaming, neutral host private network, 5G robotics, live streaming over 5G, and network slicing; and Google will demo Android Work Profile, which enables users to securely toggle between work and professional usage on the same device, and Android Zero Touch, simplified device configuration that streamlines large-scale rollouts of corporate-owned Android devices. "We are delighted to partner with Verizon Business for their highly anticipated Innovation Session in Los Angeles. This thoughtfully curated event is designed to empower enterprise pioneers, small business owners, and digital transformation experts with invaluable insights and strategies to drive growth, innovation, and success,” said Sandra Cutrona, Vice President and Head of Business Development for Customer Unit Verizon, Ericsson North America. future of connectivity and business innovation Cutrona added: “As a proud partner, Ericsson is deeply committed to supporting Verizon Business in delivering advanced, commercially ready solutions tailored to the diverse needs of modern enterprises." "From our state-of-the-art neutral-host private networks to mission-critical connectivity solutions, we provide reliable, high-performance, and secure technologies that drive meaningful change and unlock new opportunities across industries, including coverage for high-performance stadiums that elevate the sports experience. Together, we are shaping the future of connectivity and business innovation.” The event will be held at SoFi Stadium, located at 1001 Stadium Dr, Inglewood, CA 90301, on December 4, 2024. Verizon’s Commitment to Los Angeles Network upgrades in Los Angeles include deploying new cell sites to extend coverage and capacity in local communities Verizon has recently made major upgrades to the network serving customers in Los Angeles, CA. These upgrades are part of a multi-year redesign of its network architecture to stay ahead of exponential data usage increases, upgrade the technology in the network, and pave the way for personalized customer experiences. Network upgrades in Los Angeles include deploying new cell sites to extend coverage and capacity in local communities. They also include adding more capacity on fiber optic cables to move more data through the network and adding bandwidth to the cellular network to accommodate new services like wireless internet service for homes and businesses. Verizon Innovative Learning Over the last decade, Verizon Innovative Learning has committed $1 billion in market value to support digital equity and inclusion within education for some of the most vulnerable populations across the country. The initiative has reached nearly eight million students across the U.S. In the Los Angeles - Long Beach metro area, over 54,000 students have been reached across the 39 schools participating in the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, in which Verizon has partnered with nonprofit organizations to equip students in Title I institutions with free technology, internet access, and innovative STEM learning. Verizon’s responsible business plan Verizon aims to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training and support 1M small firms with aids Verizon offers free, personalized resources through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, designed to help small business owners grow their business, including online courses, 1:1 coaching and small business experts, virtual and in-person community events, and access to grant opportunities. Since its launch in September 2021, over 22,000 LA-based small businesses have registered and engaged with online courses like customer care, employee experience, cybersecurity, best practices for leveraging social media for growth, and many others. Through Verizon’s responsible business plan, Verizon aims to provide 10 million youths with digital skills training and support 1M small businesses with resources to thrive in the digital economy by 2030. Verizon’s myPlan With Verizon’s myPlan, customers can pay for only what they need. Everyone gets to customize their own plan, so each person or family member gets what they want and everyone can save. Pick the plan. Pick the perks. It’s that simple. This holiday season, new and existing customers can trade in their old smartphones from the top brands and get a new one—plus get a tablet and smartwatch on them. With Unlimited Ultimate. Service plan required for watch and tablet.  For Apple users: Get an iPhone 16 Pro when they trade in their old iPhone (any model or condition). They’ll also get an Apple Watch Series 10 and iPad 10th generation—all on them. For Android users: Upgrade the mobile device to the Samsung Galaxy S24+ or the Google Pixel 9 Pro when they trade in their old Samsung or Google Pixel phones. Plus, get a smartwatch and tablet on them. Verizon Home Internet plans Customers can get even more value when they combine myPlan with Verizon 5G Home Internet. 5G Home Internet offers broadband connectivity using Verizon’s 5G wireless network, providing fast internet that's ready for what comes next. With the 5G Home Internet, which starts at $35 per month with AutoPay and select 5G mobile plans, there are no long-term contracts, no data caps, or hidden fees. New customers who switch to select Verizon Home Internet plans this holiday season can choose between bundles for gaming or streaming. For gamers: The Xbox bundle includes accessories, making it a perfect gift for the gamer. For streamers: The streaming bundle includes the first full year of Netflix and Max perks (with ads) on them (then $10/mo after)—perfect for watching the favorite holiday movies and for at-home entertainment all year long.

Verizon, a global pioneer in driving virtualized and Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) technologies, has deployed Open RAN (O-RAN) based Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) systems with multiple vendor interoperability at The University of Texas Moody Center and the Austin Convention Center. These are the first DAS systems commercially deployed in the Verizon network using O-RAN interfaces between the various components of the cellular Radio Access Network from different vendors. O-RAN interface Both systems use a Samsung vDU with an O-RAN interface to a CommScope DAS, illustrating how ORAN standards can bring together best-in-class products from the ecosystem to create a highly efficient solution and provide Verizon’s high-performing 5G Ultra Wideband service throughout the venues. Not only does this commercial deployment mark a major step towards larger-scale, multi-vendor deployments using O-RAN, but it materially impacts the cost of power, space, and cooling by eliminating unnecessary RF equipment, and improves reliability resulting in a gold-standard customer experience for fans and visitors to these venues. cloud-based architecture O-RAN offers the promise of a wide range of benefits that should introduce new competition and innovation “The massive evolution of our network over the past few years including our move to a cloud-based architecture, widespread virtualization, and our aggressive adoption of O-RAN standards and capabilities has enabled us to show O-RAN interoperability success in a commercial environment,” said Adam Koeppe, Senior Vice President of Technology Planning at Verizon. O-RAN offers the promise of a wide range of benefits that should introduce new competition and innovation into the RAN ecosystem with the establishment of open and interoperable interfaces between different hardware and software components. Open RAN benefits The transition to Open RAN has the potential to bring many benefits in terms of deployment flexibility, faster innovation in an open environment, and greater service options by increasing the opportunity for new entrants to provide competitive and advanced solutions. More competition, more innovation, and increased supplier diversity will all be net benefits to operators and customers. Verizon has been driving the adoption of O-RAN for years by being a pioneering voice in developing and adopting O-RAN standards and aggressively deploying more than 130,000 O-RAN capable radios in its network.

Verizon Business has been awarded a new agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), valued at over $21 million in the first year. connectivity capabilities The agreement will enable the USDA to enhance its connectivity capabilities across the nation, supporting over 60,000 lines of service. Verizon will deliver wireless services and service-enabled devices. The contract also creates the potential for mobile broadband (MBB) for connected laptops across the agency’s numerous field offices. USDA’s partnership with Verizon Business will help to ensure that the USDA can operate with cutting-edge technology wherever its mission takes it. meeting agriculture and rural demands This partnership underscores the USDA’s commitment to harnessing technology to drive efficiencies The USDA's mission is more critical than ever as it leverages technology to meet the demands of modern agriculture and rural development. By integrating advanced connectivity solutions, the USDA is better equipped to manage vast amounts of data, streamline operations, and make informed decisions that impact food security, agricultural productivity, and rural communities. This partnership underscores the USDA’s commitment to harnessing technology to drive efficiencies and improve service delivery across the nation, from enhancing precision agriculture practices to ensuring timely disaster response and resource management. communications and information technology services “We’re proud to partner with the USDA to deliver advanced connectivity solutions that will enhance their operations and drive innovation across the agency,” said Michael Adams, vice president for federal civilian services at Verizon. “This contract not only reflects the USDA’s trust in Verizon’s capabilities but also highlights our shared commitment to leveraging technology in ways that directly support the agency’s critical mission.” Verizon Business is a pioneering provider of communications services to the U.S. federal government and one of the largest providers of advanced communications and information technology services globally.