Verizon's CDMA Transition Continues as CTO Dick Lynch Joins GSMA Board

Verizon CTO Dick Lynch has joined the board of the GSMA Association, just four months after the carrier became a member of the industry group. Although Verizon Wireless has since day one embraced CDMA cellular technology while AT&T and T-Mobile adopted the more globally accepted GSM standards, the carrier will begin rolling out its 4G network, which will utilize the GSM-based LTE standard, in two dozen markets this year.

Despite years of competition between Verizon and some of its members, the GSMA is welcoming its newest board member with open arms. CEO Rob Conway said in the press release announcing the appointment:

A leader in the worldwide mobile communications industry through its delivery of innovative new services and as an early adopter of advanced technologies such as LTE, Verizon brings additional depth and experience to the GSMA Board. Dick’s expertise and leadership will be a tremendous asset as we work to identify and capitalise on new opportunities for our industry.

Of course it doesn’t hurt that Verizon Wireless is the largest carrier in the U.S. — the GSMA board is comprised of the 13 largest wireless carriers in the world in addition to 12 smaller, nominated members. According to an April Wireless Intelligence report on the top worldwide carriers, Verizon is lucky number 13.

Verizon’s CDMA network isn’t going anywhere just yet, though. Lynch has said that the LTE network will be used for data, while CDMA will handle voice for some time. Even so, Verizon joining the GSMA this past February and now Lynch joining the GSMA Board are two more switches flipped in the final shutdown of Verizon’s CDMA network in the U.S.

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