VZW HomeFusion Available Tomorrow

Verizon Wireless has announced May 3 nationwide availability of its HomeFusion Broadband, which provides LTE wireless broadband service to the home. The carrier is pitching the service as an alternative to residential broadband, especially in rural areas, or areas with limited broadband choices. Plans for the service run from $60 monthly access for 10 GB of data, $90 monthly access for 20 GB or $120 monthly access for 30 GB ($10 per GB after allowance). A one-time equipment fee of $199.99 applies and installation is free. HomeFusion employs a cylinder-shaped antenna attached to a customer's home which transmits an LTE signal to a broadband router inside the home. The router can connect up to four wired and at least 20 wireless devices inside the home using Wi-Fi. Fran Shammo, Verizon's CFO, had previously commented that Verizon Wireless was looking at a device that he called a "cantenna," which would bring a wireless LTE connection to those outside of FiOS coverage areas. Shammo said that the benefit of the antenna is it operates the spectrum extremely efficiently. Verizon touts average data rates on its LTE network of 5 to 12 megabits per second (Mbps) on the downlink and 2 to 5 Mbps on the uplink. HomeFusion Broadband has been available in six markets since March, and beginning later this week, it can be purchased in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide. Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE network is now available in 230 markets, covering more than two-thirds of the population in the United States.