Verizon Unveils Global Cellular Data Access Plan

Verizon Wireless' Thursday unveiled a plan that enables its U.S. cellular data customers connect to Vodafone's 3G cellular data networks in Europe and throughout the world, the two companies announced Thursday.

The companies said in a statement that Verizon Wireless customers who sign up for its GlobalAccess program will receive two 3G modems. One modem will be for use on Verizon's CDMA-based 1xEV-DO cellular data network in the U.S. and the other will be for the GSM-based data networks in 50 countries that Vodafone either runs or roams to.

"Many of our enterprise customers have large numbers of employees who spend time traveling internationally," Cindy Patterson, vice president of enterprise data for Verizon Wireless, said in a statement.

Verizon said it will charge $129 a month for the GlobalAccess plan. That includes unlimited access in North America and 100 MB of usage in so-called Tier 1 countries such in Europe such as the U.K., German, France and Italy. Access in other countries, such as Australia, Brazil, China and Russia, will cost an additional $.03 per kilobyte. By contrast, Verizon Wireless charges $60 a month for unlimited access to its U.S. 3G network.

Vodafone, along with Verizon Communications, owns Verizon Wireless.