Sprint announced the launch of a dual mode USB modem that can access both their 4G WiMAX service and their 3G EVDO Rev. A service. The USB Modem sells for $149.99, with a two year service plan. Customers have to sign up for a $79.99/month service plan to access both networks. Unfortunately for Sprint and its customers, their 4G network is only currently available in Baltimore. But I guess they have to start somewhere. Sprint’s WiMAX partner Clearwire announced a while back that they will also offer dual mode devices, allowing Clear customers to roam onto Sprint’s 3G network. The obvious goal is to provide some form of broadband wireless coverage across a wider footprint, until the better 4G network is completely built out. Sprint claims their 4G service will provide “average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps,” while their 3G service provides “average downlink speeds of 600 Kbps – 1.4 Mbps.”
