Sprint Launches EVDO Service

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/wirelessHighSpeedData.jsp' target='_blank'>http://www.sprint.com/business/prod...ghSpeedData.jsp</a><br /><br /></div>Sprint has begun its EVDO rollout, with service in select markets. While the only supported device right now is the Sierra Wireless Aircard 580, past rumors have suggested that Sprint may release a firmware update for the PPC-6600 (i.e., their version of the HTC Harrier). I have no official word on this, but since we know the Harrier is capable of EVDO as Verizon's version offers it, it could be a great value-add.

[Kash76]

There is also a novatel card being offered now. I have been running the Sierra for a couple of weeks. All I can say is, AWESOME!!

[that_kid]

Sprint's 6600 can do EvDO but at the moment the EvDO prl isn't available (to customers) but I've spoken with the networking team at Sprint and they told me that the 6600 is goig to be upgraded for EvDO. Hopefully I'll be able to get my hands on the test prl as I'm in many areas where EvDO has soft launched for Sprint.

[whydidnt]

This is good news. The only bummer is I was hoping for Sprint to try and steal some Verizon customers by offering EvDO at a better price. Looks like they are charging the same for AirCard access. We'll have to see what happens with pricing when they release an EvDO phone or upgrade the 6600.

I'd love to see reasonably priced high speed access. Something like $60.00 for all you can eat, or $35.00 for 50 MB month access. The 50 MB plan should meet most peoples needs for mobile access to their data, email etc, while assuring the network isn't overwhelmed by people replacing their DSL, Cable modems, etc. Guess I'm just a dreamer, huh?

[Deus]

Take it for what its worth but I was told the proce was more like $80 a month for Sprint

[EVDOguy]

With Verizon (can someone with Sprint confirm), the price is $79.99/month and taxes add .05¢, for a total of $80.04 per month. Many people think that taxes will add a bunch like it does on their cell phone, but the data cards do not.

More info on taxes here:

http://www.evdoforums.com/about344.html

[EVDOguy]

BTW, here is the link to the Novatel S620 on Sprint's site:

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/phones/s620_connectionCards2.jsp

Tip, Novatel V620 (is for Verizon), Novatel S620 (is for Sprint), the cards are identical, except for the label on the card.

For anyone with Sprint EVDO and a Novatel S620 and a PowerBook. We released drivers for the Novatel V620. I would love someone with a S620 to test these out and see if it works with a PowerBook.

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/Mac_OS_X_Novatel_V620_Drivers_%10_Installer_20050701461/

[whydidnt]

Yes, that's what I was trying to say. Sprint is charging $80.00/month just like Verizon. I was hoping for a little price competition to drive down these numbers, but it doesn't look like we're going to see that at this point in time.

[EVDOguy]

I am hoping that as Sprint and Verizon start competing in specific markets, someone will fire the first shot and lower the price.

ALLTELL (very small EVDO player), is $10/month less.

Competition is grand, and I expect that the $80/month will drop over time (at least I hope).

[aristoBrat]

It's been $80 forever for unlimited data on Verizon, Cingular/AT&amp;T and Sprint, even back in the 1x/GPRS days. :(

T-Mobile seems to be the only inexpensive data carrier (of the big 5, anyways ... $19.99/month unlimited), but they haven't even officially rolled out EDGE yet, much less anything that'd come close to EV-Dx speeds.

[Kash76]

BTW, here is the link to the Novatel S620 on Sprint's site:

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/phones/s620_connectionCards2.jsp

Tip, Novatel V620 (is for Verizon), Novatel S620 (is for Sprint), the cards are identical, except for the label on the card.

For anyone with Sprint EVDO and a Novatel S620 and a PowerBook. We released drivers for the Novatel V620. I would love someone with a S620 to test these out and see if it works with a PowerBook.

http://www.EVDOinfo.com/Tips/PC_5220/Mac_OS_X_Novatel_V620_Drivers_%10_Installer_20050701461/

I have seen the Sierra run on a Powerbook.