Today, Sprint announced plans to rollout a nationwide EV-DO network by 2005. EV-DO is a true 3G CDMA technology with peak download speeds of 2.4 Mbps, average download speeds of 300-500 Kbps, and an upload speed of 144 kbps. In comparison, this will be more than ten times faster than the current Sprint 1xRTT technology with 144kbps upload and download speeds.
New pricing information, and new devices compatible with the EV-DO technology will be announced in later months by Sprint. Specifically, it is unknown if next-generation Treos will support EV-DO technology (To my knowledge, current Treo 600s are NOT upgradeable to EV-DO). Sprint used the Treo 600 as their "poster device" in the launch of their 1xRTT Vision network, it would not be surprising if a next-generation Treo was also used in a similar manner for their launch of an EV-DO network. Sprint was also very aggressive with their pricing in the launch of their 1xRTT Vision network, making it (at the time) a $10 addon for unlimited internet. One can hope that they will be as aggressive in pricing with the launch of EV-DO.
EV-DO will be available in select markets later this year, with most major cities having EV-DO capabilities by the end of 2005. After that, Sprint expects to upgrade to newer and faster versions of EV-DO, as demonstrated by the chart below (click to download a readable PDF version of this chart).
If think you have heard of EV-DO before, you may have, because Verizon has already launched the service in San Diego, California, and in Washington D.C, and has plans to expand it nationwide by 2005. They charge a flat unlimited rate of $79.99 a month, and currently only offer laptop data connection cards. For those who want to learn more, BusinessWeek reviewed Verizon's service last November. From the review:
This experience nicely sums up BroadbandAccess: It offers impressive speed, but it's available only in Washington and its close-in suburbs, as well as clear across the country in the San Diego area. I found downloads consistently hit speeds at a bit over 300 kilobits per second, at the low end of Verizon's claimed range of 300 to 500 kbps. (As in most broadband setups, uploads are slower.) That's about half the speed of most residential broadband service but five to six times faster than Verizon's standard NationalAccess wireless data network or a similar service from Sprint PCS (page 131) (PCS ). For Web browsing, BroadbandAccess was nearly as fast as the Wi-Fi networks found in such hot spots as hotel lobbies and Starbucks (SBUX ) cafés.
Below, Sprint has some more information about EV-DO from the second half of their press release:
EV-DO will help Sprint widen its industry lead in wireless data by leveraging an impressive array of data capabilities the company already offers in the marketplace, said Len Lauer, Sprint president and chief operating officer.
Over the past few years, Sprint has separated from the competition in delivering superior wireless data solutions with more than 6.2 million wireless data customers generating over $700 million in annualized wireless data sales as reported at the end of the first quarter this year, Lauer said. Weve led in data by being focused and differentiated. As evidence, just look at the industry-first devices weve launched including the integrated camera phone; the unique applications weve introduced in Sprint PCS® Video Mail and Picture Mail(SM) services; the simple, unlimited price plans weve established; our integrated approach that combines wireless data with landline services; and the considerable knowledge of Sprint business sales makers, retail representatives and third-party distributors, who have revolutionized the way that wireless data is sold nationwide.
Lauer added, Customers are telling Sprint they want applications that take advantage of the higher wireless speeds, and we intend to deliver. Imagine downloading music, videos and games to your wireless handset or laptop in a fraction of the time it takes today. Or download your companys product inventory or a spreadsheet of a couple hundred kilobytes in a matter of seconds. EV-DO makes it possible.
Sprints migration to EV-DO will be relatively simple, requiring no forklift upgrades to the companys nationwide wireless network. Because of Sprints network design, Sprint can upgrade cell sites simply adding a new channel card and an additional RF carrier without the need to replace the existing infrastructure. The inherent high-level security of CDMA will continue with the advancement to EV-DO.
Existing Sprint PCS Connection Cards and handsets will continue to work at current speeds within EV-DO service areas. To take advantage of the higher speeds that EV-DO offers, customers will be able to purchase EV-DO-enabled handsets and Sprint PCS Connection Cards. This will allow customers using the dual-mode EV-DO device to gain higher speeds in EV-DO-capable areas and seamlessly transition onto Sprints PCS network, based on 3G 1xRTT technology, when outside an EV-DO area.
Sprint built its network from the ground up with advanced wireless services in mind, Lauer added. Because of this foresight, Sprints network was ready as the wireless data market emerged and customers demanded phones capable of much more than making a call. Sprint intends to remain the industry leader in wireless data by deploying a technology in EV-DO that is widely available today. We will continue to develop new applications and devices that will provide the best experience for our customers.
Consistent with prior guidance, Sprint plans to invest approximately $1 billion to complete its wireless data upgrades. This will include the deployment of EV-DO as well as the option for a subsequent, more advanced release of CDMA technology that is expected to be available from equipment vendors beginning in 2006. The capital investment is expected to be concentrated in 2005 which represents an acceleration from Sprints earlier plan to balance spending evenly between 2005 and 2006.
