Sprint Nextel is not wasting time and trying to rev-up its wireless data revenue stream further. The company today announced that it has started selling a data card for laptops that allows mobile warriors to connect to its 3G network at even higher speeds.
This is part of a previously announced Rev A upgrade to its EVDO network that is supposed to go live later this year. Mind you, the news doesn’t mean you should rush and buy the card - the new higher speed network is still not live. With Cingular rolling out its 3G service, and Verizon upgrading its network as well, Sprint is trying to get more wireless data customers before things get well too complicated. But it sure makes a nice press release.
Designed for operation with compatible laptops as well as the soon-to-be-available Linksys Wireless G-Router for Mobile Broadband, the Merlin S720 will allow customers to connect to the Sprint Power Vision Network and remotely access audio, video and data applications at DSL-like speeds. The card operates on the current Sprint Power Vision Network and will support faster average download and upload speeds (450 -850 kbps and 300 - 400 kbps, respectively) of Sprint’s upgraded network when it becomes available.
4 comments so far
12:38 PM PT
Yeah… it still doesn’t work under OS X either…
I wish Sprint was more open about this stuff. Its SOOOOO hard to figure out what services they offer and I’ve been trying to get EVDO for a month now…
Ug.
Kevin
1:07 PM PT
Exactly: If you’re calling PR people at Sprint, can you find out where they are on ExpressCard EVDO. I fear Rev A will be an even-longer wait.
1:23 PM PT
I find it interesting that Verizon and Sprint are more interested in going to Rev A than providing EVDO (of any sort) over their entire footprint. Wireless Redlining, I suppose. Still as a Verizon data subscriber, I’m more interested in having decent speeds everywhere than good speeds in some places and crappy speeds elsewhere. Isn’t ubiquity the advantage they are supposed to offer over WiFi?
7:29 PM PT
EVDO Rev. A allows for the foundation for better ReadyLink PTT and QChat. I am betting that there is Rev. A in some towers near Qualcomm in San Diego right now.