Sprint Accelerates EV-DO Revision A Mobile Broadband Upgrade

Mark Walter

Overland Park, KAN. — 08/03/2006

Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced it is ahead of plan for the expansion and evolution of the Sprint Power Vision(SM) network -- the nation's largest wireless broadband network covering 153 million people -- that allows users to access audio, video and data applications with handheld and connection card devices. Under the accelerated schedule, Sprint plans to begin its roll out of the upgraded technology known as EV-DO Revision A during 4Q 2006 with coverage expected to reach more than 40 million people by year end.

With the evolution to EV-DO Revision A, users in markets where it is rolled out, will experience faster average download speeds of 450 - 800 kbps; and average upload speeds of 300 - 400 kbps. These data rates can enable richer applications and services such as high-speed video telephony, music on demand, video messaging, large file uploads and high performance push-to-talk capability.

Overall, Sprint plans to reach more than 200 million people in the U.S. with mobile broadband data services (both EV-DO Revisions 0 and A) in 220 major metropolitan areas and 908 airports across the country with its Power Vision network by the end of 2006. By 3Q 2007, Sprint's Power Vision network will be completely upgraded to the faster EV-DO Revision A.

"Sprint's mobile broadband leadership is demonstrated by our success in rolling out the largest network, providing the latest devices and the widest array of mobile entertainment and business content," said Len Lauer, Sprint's chief operating officer. "By accelerating our EV-DO Revision A deployment, we are expanding the number of ways our customers can use the service to make their digital life simple, instant and productive."

Last week Sprint successfully completed the first EV-DO Revision A data connection over the Sprint Power Vision network in San Diego, CA. This development combined with a series of other positive performance tests drove the decision to speed up the deployment plan. Additionally, Sprint has been demonstrating applications such as all IP video telephony, high performance push-to-talk (walkie-talkie service), multi-user video conferencing, real time gaming and video streaming of both content and live web cams simultaneously.

"We have taken this technology out of the laboratory and are currently integrating it into our network," said Kathy Walker, chief network officer at Sprint. "We are really pleased with the results and excited about rolling it out to our customers."

In conjunction with the rollout of the upgraded mobile broadband network, Sprint will market a variety of EV-DO Revision A compatible devices, starting first with connection cards offered in PCMCIA Type II, USB, and ExpressCard™ form factors. These devices will also work on the current Sprint Power Vision network.

The power of Sprint networks make it best positioned to deliver unmatched mobility products and services for customer solutions. Mobile broadband customers can currently access the Sprint Power Vision Network with the Sprint Power Vision Smart Devices (PPC 6700, Blackberry7130e, and Treo 700p by Palm) and Sprint Mobile Broadband Cards (Novatel Wireless Merlin S620™, Sierra Wireless Aircard® 580 and the Sprint PC-5740). Consumer data devices include Sprint Power Vision phones from Samsung (A900 and A920), the MM 7500 by Sanyo, and the Fusic by LG. In addition to these devices, many other manufacturers have products with embedded modules that can access the Sprint Power Vision Network.

Additional information on Sprint's Mobile Broadband network including coverage maps showing current and future coverage, Mobile Broadband service plans, and the latest access devices can be found at http://powervision.sprint.com/mobilebroadband/.
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Mark Walter, Exec Dir
www.jamaministry.com

Semi75 · EVDO Junkie Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 240

At least we know that it is rolled out somewhere. I'm am anxious to see real world latency by the average user now. Sadly the average user does not have access to the equipment to test but hopefully soon. I was hoping to see Sprint beginning to roll out Rev A to the "future" marked areas by late summer but that doesn't look like it will happen, hopefully 4Q.

sdphotog · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 23

I'm here in San Diego. Does anyone know how to become a beta tester for the Rev. A service?

Glint · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 25

I'm in a future Sprint EVDO area (Arroyo Grande, CA, 93420) also, and would love to know if we are getting Rev A anytime within the next year. I'm about to plop down $500 on some wireless equipment, and sign a one year contract, for a local WISP. If I knew, or even had a clue, that our area would be getting EVDO Rev A anytime within the next year I’d hold off on signing up with the WISP.

Any Sprint insiders willing to help me out? You may not be able to disclose details, but how about a little clue?

Thanks!

gjlowe · EVDO Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

2 questions:

1) Is the Treo 700p compatible with rev 0 and rev A?

2) How does this affect areas like mine which only have 1xRTT right now?

Michael · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject:

There are no Rev A devices yet.

#1 The 700p is a Rev 0.

#2 I guess it depends on what Sprints plans are for the area - and that information may be hard to find.
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gjlowe · EVDO Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

Thanks for the response! This brings up two more questions:

1) Are devices firmware upgradable, or is it a hardware thing?

2) When they say they will cover EVDO rev A everywhere in 2007, does that mean everywhere that has EVDO now, or everywhere they cover data altogether?

horsessmellfunny · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:56 pm Post subject:

1.) Unfortunatly, its a hardware thing. You will need to replace the device to be compatible with Rev A.

2.) All current Broadband areas and all areas marked as "future" coverage will be REV A end of '07
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gjlowe · EVDO Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

edited - accidental double post

Chuck · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 149

Was thinking about getting the Sprint 6700 PPC; maybe I'll wait to see if a Rev A unit comes out that it like it. I'd hate to plunk down $300 of a phone just to get another one with Rev A in a few months.

webedc · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

horsessmellfunny · Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 1:35 pm Post subject:

Yes that is true. It is compatibile with REV A. However, as you stated, you will only be at REV 0 speeds. SO you can keep your Rev 0 device, but not get REV A speeds.
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gjlowe · EVDO Newbie Joined: 03 Aug 2006 Posts: 4

rickster · EVDO Junkie Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 216

And AFAIK nothings been said that it won't cost you lets say double for that service either! Smile

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2004

A Sprint engineer told me that even though Rev 0 devices can't be upgraded to Rev A, Rev 0 devices may perform closer to its max specs when talking to a Rev A towers.

That is, Rev 0 today gets about 150ms-400ms latency, with best of 130ms. Rev 0 devices may have a better chance of getting closer to 150ms more often when on Rev A towers. And Rev 0 can sometimes get over 1Mbps today under ideal condtitions. When on a Rev A towers, Rev 0 devices may have a better chance of getting over 1Mbps more often.

So Rev 0 can't get higher performance than its max specs, but may have a better chance getting closer to max specs when Rev A towers appear.