Sprint Announces Plans To Expand EV-DO Revision A-Capable Device Portfolio
Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced it will enable more customers to benefit from Sprint Mobile Broadband services with the expansion of its EV-DO Revision A-capable device portfolio, with two new mobile broadband cards by the end of the year. Sprint, which operates the nation's largest wireless broadband network covering 158 million people, currently offers one other EV-DO Rev. A-capable device — the Sprint Mobile Broadband Card by Novatel Wireless (S720).
All three cards operate on the current Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network with average download speeds of 400-700 Kpbs. These cards will also provide even faster average download speeds of 450 – 850 kbps and broadband upload speeds of 300 kbps – 400 kbps in coverage areas expected to be upgraded starting later this year. These data rates will provide customers with remote access to richer applications and services such as high-speed video telephony, video messaging, music-on-demand and the ability to upload large files. Sprint expects to start its rollout of the upgraded network (known as EV-DO Rev. A) during 4Q 2006 and will reach more than 40 million people by the end of the year.
Sprint Mobile Broadband Cards
Designed for operation with compatible laptops with Type II PCMCIA slots and the Linksys Wireless G-Router for Mobile Broadband, the new Sprint mobile broadband cards will allow customers to connect to the Sprint Power Vision Network and remotely access audio, video and data applications at broadband-like speeds.
Sprint Mobile Broadband Card by Pantech (PX-500) – Customers looking for the best value to meet both professional and personal needs can take advantage of the Pantech PX-500. The Pantech PX-500 can be purchased through all Sprint indirect and business sales channels, online at www.sprint.com and in Sprint retail stores for a suggested retail price of $199.99 or is available for free with a two-year subscriber agreement and mail-in-rebate.
Sprint Mobile Broadband Card by Sierra Wireless (Aircard® 595) – Mobile professionals will find value in the latest technologically advanced AirCard product developed by Sierra Wireless. The AirCard 595 design and operation features include a high-performance, 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.
"Sprint is at a competitive advantage with the nation's largest mobile broadband network, our accelerated EV-DO Revision A deployment strategy and the nation's first commercially available EV-DO Revision A-capable card we began selling last month," said Danny Bowman, vice president of product marketing for Sprint. "By further expanding the number of devices that can be used to access Sprint Mobile Broadband services, we are giving customers even more choices to meet their mobility needs today and well into the future."
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 today has the most wireless broadband coverage of any carrier. The Sprint Power Vision Network now covers 158 million people and services customers 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 on the Sprint Mobile Broadband network including coverage maps showing current and future coverage, Mobile Broadband service plans, and the latest access devices can be found at http://powervision.sprint.com/mobilebroadband/.