Sprint launches Revision A in US

US operator Sprint launched its EV-DO Revision A mobile broadband network in San Diego on Tuesday with an eye to launching in 20 additional markets before year end.

With the upgraded mobile broadband network, users of the Sprint Power Vision Network in San Diego will ultimately be able to utilise richer applications and services such as high speed video telephony, music on demand, video messaging and large file uploads, the company said.

San Diego is the first of 21 markets where Sprint will roll out Rev. A this year with coverage expected to reach more than 40 million people. Subscribers in these markets should experience significantly faster average upload speeds of 300-400kbps, compared with 50-70kbps of current EV-DO, whilst average download speeds should also increase to 450-800kbps from 400-700kbps.

In early November, Sprint will also make its first mobile broadband USB modem available, which plugs into the USB port of any compatible laptop and allows wireless access to the Rev. A network. The Novatel Wireless card sells for a suggested retail price of $249.99 (£132) or is available for $49.99 with a two year subscriber agreement.

Three previously announced Rev. A cards are already available, the Pantech PX-500, Sierra Wireless Aircard 595 and the Novatel Wireless S720.