Sprint Begins CDMA EV-DO Service

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Sprint has begun launching a new wireless high-speed data network based on CDMA EV-DO service. The company is providing its EV-DO service initially to business clients with high wireless-data traffic demands, such as airports and central business districts, followed by broader metropolitan areas.

Service will begin during July in major airports and business districts in 34 markets. As the roll-out continues, access will be available to approximately 92 million people in 14 broadly deployed metropolitan areas in the third quarter. By the fourth quarter, another 36 metro areas will be launched, so that service will be available to approximately 143 million people. By early 2006, the high-speed wireless data service will be available on a variety of devices throughout at least 200 urban and suburban markets in approximately 60 metropolitan areas.

Sprint also revealed a flexible pricing plan for two EV-DO-ready Sprint PCS Connection Cards – the AirCard 580 by Sierra Wireless and the Merlin S620 by Novatel Wireless, available through business sales and retail channels. For business customers, pricing starts at US$40 per month for 40MB with a price cap at US$90 for those months when customers use the service more.

Sprint plans to introduce EV-DO handsets and applications for consumers and business customers in the fourth quarter.

The EV-DO service provides a broadband-like wireless data experience that is up to 10 times faster than 1xRTT service, with average download speeds of 400-700 kbps and a peak rate of up to 2.0 Mbps. Users can experience faster downloading when accessing the Internet and retrieving e-mails, including large attachments and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

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