Sprint Nextel has launched the country's first EV-DO Rev A mobile broadband card, the Novatel Wireless S720. While it conforms to the new speedy Rev A technology, don't expect faster speeds quite yet. Sprint doesn't expect to activate its Rev A network until later in the year. However the card will work fine on the Rev 0 network, so buying the S720 today is basically a way to future-proof. Earlier this month Sprint announced an accelerated launch of EV-DO Rev A. Verizon Wireless is also working on an upgrade, but Sprint should be first.
The card operates on the current Sprint Power Vision Network and will support faster average download and upload speeds (450 -850 kbps and 300 - 400 kbps, respectively) of Sprint's upgraded network when it becomes available. Sprint plans to begin its roll out of EV-DO Revision A during the fourth quarter of 2006 with coverage expected to reach more than 40 million people by year end.
The Novatel S720 card is selling for $249.99 at retail and as low as $99 with a 2-year contract. Sprint has also adjusted service pricing, customers signing a 2-year contract can get unlimited service for $59.99 (no voice plan required).