EVDO

Sprint First to Market with Mobile Broadband Handset

Bernie — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 17:03:19 -0400

In what is surely a sign of things to come, Sprint will provide an EVDO Rev. A software upgrade for its HTC Mogul handset, making it the first mobile broadband enabled handset. Upgraded Mogul’s will have true broadband wireless access, with download speeds ranging from 600 kbps to 1.4 Mbps, and upload speeds of 350 to 500 kbps. Previous speeds available to the Mogul before the upgrade, range from 400 kbps to 700 kbps downloads and uploads of 50 kbps to 70 kbps. Prior to the Mogul, mobile broadband has been limited to laptops which utilize either a laptop card or a built in wireless modem. Broadband enabled handsets have been in play for some time, but have used primarily Wi-Fi for their broadband access. The Mogul will now have true broadband anywhere there is EVDO Rev. A coverage (BTW, don't you love our industry’s acronyms – try explaining EVDO Rev. A to a lay person).

Mobile broadband should see considerable expansion in the months and years to come. Wireless carriers are positioning it as a differentiated and value add service. A knock on the popular iPhone is its lack of a true mobile broadband option. Sprint seems like an unlikely first to market candidate given their troubles of late. But they may prove to be a big early player in mobile broadband with the Mogul and with promised WiMAX enabled handsets due by the end of this year. It may prove to be one of the few competitive bright spots available to Sprint – one that they would be wise to exploit.

Alltel Launches Wi-Fi Bundle

Bernie — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 00:07:07 -0400

Alltel is partnering with Boingo to allow Wi-Fi access to Alltel customers. Wi-Fi service will be bundled with Alltel’s EV-DO wireless broadband service for an additional $9.99/month, providing unlimited Wi-Fi access at Boingo hotspots. Alltel will also sell prepaid Wi-Fi access for $9.99/day or $19.99/month.

Alltel Expands Broadband Wireless Network

Bernie — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Alltel announced it has extended its EV-DO broadband wireless roaming agreements to include major metro areas including Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Dallas, Houston and San Francisco. Alltel's offers a national unlimited data plan for $59.99/month. Where EVDO service is not available, data-card equipped laptops will hand off to 1X service, which delivers speeds up to 144 Kbps.

Qwest to Launch Mobile Wireless Broadband

Bernie — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:48:24 -0400

Qwest will launch mobile wireless broadband using EVDO rev. A technology through a resale partnership with Sprint. Qwest Mobile Broadband will offer three tiered plans based on bandwidth consumption; 1) 500 MB per month, 2) 600 MB per month, or 3) an "Unlimited" plan. Monthly pricing starts at $69.99, plus $49.99 for the Qwest Mobile Broadband Card with a two-year commitment. Customers who purchase Qwest Mobile Broadband service in addition to Qwest High-Speed Internet Service are eligible to receive a $20 discount on Qwest Mobile Broadband plans. Qwest High-Speed Internet customers with a two- or three-year term commitment are also eligible for a $50 rebate on the Qwest Mobile Broadband Card.

Read Qwest’s press release for more details.