• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, February 1, 2005

Verizon Wireless today plans to launch V CAST, the U.S. market's first third-generation wireless (3G) broadband multimedia service. The service offers subscribers everything from clips of "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and news updates from NBC News to music videos.

The service is only available via new third-generation phones that run on Verizon's new 3G network, which delivers wide-area wireless data and content. V CAST is available in about 30 major metropolitan markets and covers more than 75 million people.

"This technology and this service is fundamentally changing the degree to which advertisers can reach consumers and deliver a quality message," said a Verizon Wireless spokesman.

Consumers can receive the V CAST Vpak service for a $15.00 monthly access fee, added to their Verizon Wireless calling plan, which includes unlimited access to roughly 300 daily updated video clips from leading news, sports, weather, and entertainment content providers. Basic short content is included in the plan, but application download fees still apply for 3D games, premium short content, and all other "Get It Now" applications.