Sprint today announced it is expanding its EV-DO Revision A device portfolio, with two new mobile broadband cards by the end of the year, the Pantech PX-500 and Sierra Wireless Aircard 595. Sprint also currently offers the EV-DO Rev. A-capable Novatel Wireless S720 card.
All three cards operate on the current Sprint Power Vision Network and will boost the average download speeds to 450 - 850 kbps. The big speed bump, however, is in the upload speed, going from 80-128kbps to 300-400 kbps with Rev A.
Sprint will start its rollout of the upgraded network during 4Q 2006 and expects reach more than 40 million people by the end of the year.
Sprint’s Pantech PX-500 card can be purchased through all Sprint indirect and business sales channels, online, and in Sprint retail stores for a suggested retail price of $199.99. It is available for free with a two-year subscriber agreement and mail-in-rebate.
Sprint Mobile Broadband Card by Sierra Wireless (Aircard 595) features a durable, built-in antenna that provides maximum speed, signal sensitivity and coverage. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 will be sold later this year through Sprint indirect and business sales channels and online at www.sprint.com. Suggested retail price for the AirCard 595 is $249.99, and it is available for as low as $99.99 with a two-year Sprint subscriber agreement.
The Aircard 595 and Pantech PX-500 card as well as the Merlin S720 will allow customers to remotely access audio, video and data applications at DSL-like speeds with REV A.
They’re designed for operation with compatible laptops as well as the soon-to-be-available Linksys Wireless G-Router for Mobile Broadband (below).
Can WiFi-enabled trains and buses be far behind?
Service plans for all cards and the USB devices currently range from $39.99 per month for 40 MB to $79.99 per month for unlimited data usage. Customers signing a two-year Sprint subscriber agreement may also be eligible to receive unlimited data usage for $59.99 per month (no separate voice plan required).
Sprint claims to have the most wireless broadband coverage of any carrier. Their Power Vision Network now covers 158 million people in 220 major metropolitan areas. Ultimately Sprint plans to reach more than 200 million people in the United States with mobile broadband data services by the end of 2006.
Additional information is available on Sprint Users and EVDO Forums.
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