By Mike Boyer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Cincinnati's Convergys Corp. Tuesday said it signed a deal to provide its Geneva data rating software to Verizon Wireless to support its rollout of wireless Internet services.

Convergys has provided software for Verizon's voice services for a number of years. This is the first time the nation's largest wireless provider will use Convergys software for its wireless data services, said Larry Schwartz, executive vice president of Convergys' global information management business.

Financial terms weren't disclosed. Convergys said Verizon, which has 37.5 million customers, will combine Geneva with its existing billing system.

Paul Hughes, analyst with the Yankee Group, a Boston-based technology consultant, said "obviously, this is a big win for Convergys."

Ajay Washday, Verizon Wireless' vice president of information technology, said, "The software will augment our technology to provide broader wireless data services." Schwartz said it will also support Verizon's new "push-to talk" wireless service.

Schwartz noted that Reed Hundt, former Federal Communications Commission chairman, estimates that wireless data in the next decade will enjoy bigger growth than the Internet in the last 10 years.

Convergys also provides rating and billing software for other wireless providers rolling out data services, including AT&T Wireless and Sprint PCS.

Convergys shares closed Tuesday at $15.06, up 16 cents.

E-mail mboyer@enquirer.com