March 22, 2006

By: Shawnee McRoberts
Website: http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com

Verizon Wireless Sports Fan Can Stay On Top Of Their Game With ESPN Content For V CAST

Today ESPN and Verizon Wireless, the nation’s leading wireless provider, announced the availability of ESPN content on Verizon Wireless’ new V CAST 3G wireless broadband multimedia service. V CAST from Verizon Wireless is the first true 3G wireless broadband consumer multimedia service in the country, allowing customers to view crystal clear video on demand and graphics for 3D games because it runs on Verizon Wireless’ Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) network – the only widely available wide-area wireless broadband network in the United States. V CAST is the first wireless service to offer ESPN video content to sports fans and is available in more than 30 major metropolitan markets and covers more than 75 million people.

“Providing video content to sports fans via wireless is yet another way ESPN is following its mission to serve fans anytime, anywhere,” said Manish Jha, senior vice president, ESPN Mobile. “We look forward to working with Verizon Wireless on making V CAST a success for fans who want the latest from ESPN on their wireless phones.”

With ESPN on V CAST, Verizon Wireless customers have access to ESPN’s regularly updated video clips that provide the latest sports news and information, game analysis and reporting from ESPN experts and personalities, highlights from college football and basketball games, fantasy games statistical analysis and reviews, X Games and ESPN original programming. The video clips are specially produced for V CAST and vary in length from one to five minutes each.

For $15.00 monthly access added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan, customers get the VCAST VPak that includes unlimited access to the select ESPN content and a wide array of more than 300 daily updated videos from leading content providers. There are no additional airtime charges to download or stream and watch video clips and other V CAST content included in the $15.00 monthly access. For a limited time, customers who sign up for V CAST will receive the two months of service free. Verizon Wireless V CAST customers also receive unlimited browsing of Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Web 2.0^SM news and information service. In addition, customers can choose from premium content, available for an additional cost that includes 3D games, music videos and other premium short content.

V CAST’s array of hot new multimedia programming is located in the Get It Now® virtual store – customers can access video from favorite news, sports and entertainment providers such as ESPN in the getVIDEO shopping aisle – once there, click on Sports to access short content from ESPN. Customers can also check out new cutting-edge 3D games in the getGAMES aisle. V CAST also gives customers unlimited access to browse and view applications in the other familiar Get It Now shopping aisles – such as getTONES and getGOING.

V CAST customers can find wireless ESPN content on the new 3G-capable LG VX8000 phone – the pinnacle of visual entertainment. With the LG VX8000, V CAST customers can download content with just a few clicks and experience clarity and sharpness never before seen on mobile phones in the United States. The LG VX8000 is available to Verizon Wireless customers for $199.99 after $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement. V CAST customers can also find ESPN on the Samsung a890, which is $249.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement, and the CDM8940 from UTStarcom Personal Communications (formerly Audiovox Communications Corp.) for $229.99 after a $70 rebate with a two-year customer agreement.

Author Notes:

Shawnee McRoberts contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-cell-phones.com.  An industry resource for the wireless industry featuring articles, comparisons and reviews of phones and service plans.