Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network launches Friday?
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Dec 12th 2006 at 5:45PM
[Thanks, htckid]
Update: GigaOM now reports a Verizon official as stating that it already has a handful of markets running EV-DO Revision A as is, and while they intend to launch a Rev. A-capable card in the near future (almost certainly the previously mentioned AirCard 595), it will not be announcing the launch of the network in an official capacity until it takes a significant number of additional markets live. Of course, official announcement or no, customers might be able to take advantage of some turbocharged wireless data in the near term just as soon as that AirCard starts shipping.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jr. @ Dec 12th 2006 6:44PM
Verizon sucks...I'll stick with Sprint, thank you. And Sprint just went live with EVDO Rev. A in my area - and I'm in the sticks of Kentucky!
Jason @ Dec 12th 2006 6:48PM
I find this unlikely. VZW goes into a freeze not long before Thanksgiving and doesn't come out of it until after New Years.
I know this because I happen to work for a company that sells VZW network equipment.
While not impossible, I'd call this highly unlikely. Most likely, they'll start rolling out rev A after Jan 1.
Taylor Alexander @ Dec 12th 2006 8:05PM
Hah, sprint sucks. :)
-Taylor
One man's opinion @ Dec 12th 2006 8:33PM
Gosh...it looks like the Verizon naysayers have come out with the usual gibberish.
I guess because VZW sucks and Sprint is so great is the reason why last quarter VZW had 1.9 million net additional subscribers, while Sprint had only 233,000, which is roughly the numbers one expects for a regional and not a national carrier. That's why Verizon had 0.95% retail postpaid churn, while Sprint had 2.4% postpaid churn. That's why VZW has roughly 5 million more subscribers than Sprint, and that margin is growing everyday.
It's funny how some people will always post on these blogs how Verizon sucks, yet somehow the majority of consumers haven't gotten that message, and keep on buying into VZW's reliable service.
The numbers tell the story...and the numbers clearly say that Verizon rocks and Sprint sucks.
flamer's grill @ Dec 12th 2006 9:34PM
That's cool, man. Stick with Verizon. If it works for you and you don't mind paying for it, great.
So by all means, choose Verizon, who prohibits video and audio streaming over EV-DO. Wanna listen to XM on the go via your laptop? Prohibited use. Wanna use your Slingbox to watch tv on the go? Prohibited use. Wanna use a webcam? Prohibited use. Wanna download more than 5GB a month? Whoops, sorry. Prohibited use.
Wanna pay more for a RevA data card? Sprint has the Pantech PX-500 that nets to free if you sign up for two years. Verizon doesn't even have a Rev0 card at that price. How about mobile broadband coverage area? Sprint beats Verizon in Rev0 coverage in addition to their obvious RevA network.
$59 monthly fee and 2-year contract are required for both Sprint and Verizon for the data card. Same price. So, you like Verizon? Go for it! But uh, for the same price, the same technology at better average speeds (www.dslreports.com/mspeed), better coverage and the ability to experience the ENTIRE INTERNET, I'll stick with Sprint.
Alex @ Dec 12th 2006 10:03PM
Two words... reliability and coverage. Thats all I have to say. You can pay less with Sprint Nextel, and that's exactly what you are going to get - less reliability and coverage. Sure, VZW customers are paying more but they are getting more. As goes for equipment, if you are content with anything Pantec, let it be VZW or Sprint Nextel branded, I feel sorry for you. Before you go off on a rant, read your consumer reports and do your market research.
P.S. Read your T&Cs buddy ... you don't have an unlimited plan either
flamer\\\'s grill @ Dec 12th 2006 10:38PM
We're not talking about voice coverage, we're talking about data coverage. Specifically, 3G EV-DO data coverage.
So, about those two words. Coverage - well, we've been over this. As it stands right now, Sprint's EV-DO footprint is larger, covers more people, more airpots and more cities. So, uh, what was that about Verizon and data coverage again?
Second word - reliability. There are no published reports of data reliability. Remember, we're not talking about voice coverage here.
So, it looks like I'm paying less for.... more? Once again, check www.dslreports.com/mspeed and check sprint's average speeds compared to every other provider. Faster. Lower latency.
I'm glad those two words keep you warm at night. Really, I am. Who am I to tell you how to spend your money? But, dude, don't lie to my face.
PS - Read the Sprint T&C. "Sprint PCS Vision. Not avai'l where use is in connection with server devices or host computer applications, other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions, or as substitutes for private lines or frame relay connections."
Exceprt from Verizon's T&C, for comparison:
"The Unlimited Data Plans and Features MAY NOT be used for any other purpose. Examples of prohibited uses include, without limitation, the following: (i) continuous uploading, downloading or streaming of audio or video programming or games; (ii) server devices or host computer applications, including, but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, automated machine–to–machine connections or peer–to–peer (P2P) file sharing; or (iii) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections."
Well, looks like you can't use a webcam on Sprint, either. Otherwise, though.... no restrictions.
How's the Kool-Aid?
Alex @ Dec 12th 2006 11:03PM
I would have no problem if you actually didn't have data that refuted your statements... even in your own rebuttal.
1.) I will make the general assumption that you have open access to both Sprint.com and Verizonwireless.com - please do me a favor and compare the EVDO coverage. You will find that, yes, it is VZW that has the LARGEST footprint, not the spiderweb of a footprint that Sprint offers underneath it.
2.) There is plenty of published work in plain sight about reliability... hence my reference to consumer reports (in the wireless world you can also drop a data connection, not just a call)
As goes for your cozy T&Cs that Sprint puts you to bed with each night... I challenge you to read up and define what:
"connection with server devices"
or
"host computer applications"
or
"other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions"
or
"as substitutes for private lines or frame relay connections"
could possibly stand for...
if ambiguity is your ala by - then by all means let Sprint define for you after the fact what they mean to them... especially since their customer service is rated so high, you've gotta know that they are on your side.
If you haven't gotten my point, which you didn't the first time around... Sprint's T&Cs paraphrase VZWs but do not give you specifics, leaving broader terms to be left up to interpretation, and guess what, its not going to be your interpretation.
Kool-Aids a little light on the competence
Martin @ Dec 12th 2006 11:31PM
I say they both suck. Long live Cingular and the 7.2 mpbs that I'll be getting next year. Data and voice at the same time. I don't think I'll be going anywhere anytime soon. I feel bad for you CDMA users.
LordObento @ Dec 12th 2006 11:38PM
Voice is still king, I don't see what the big deal is as there is no Rev A handset and Aircards alone do not make or break a company.
elgee02 @ Dec 13th 2006 3:56AM
Rev. B will blow your precious 7.2 mbps out of the water. CDMA is king in North America, long live the king.
xbit @ Dec 13th 2006 8:31AM
At #11: It's just a shame that there's such a poor selection of devices to exploit EV-DO in the states. Whilst the rest of world gets the sexy 5MP camera-touting Nokia N95, fantastic all-round HTC Hermes and 4GB flash-based Sony Ericsson W950i, EV-DO users in North America are stuck with mediocre devices like the Motorola Q and Treo 700w. What's the point of high-speed data without the phones to properly use it? Korea seems to do a lot better.
Rez @ Dec 13th 2006 11:05AM
Put that in your browser and turn up the volume....
http://media.putfile.com/Verizon-Bad-Math
Matt S @ Dec 13th 2006 12:33PM
Hah I love how people post one thing (post 13) and its supposed to be a total generalization of the whole company. Sorry that the customer was a dumba$$ and blew his data plan up, or that one rep told him the wrong thing. I have had really smart reps on the phone, and really dumb ones. Stop generalizing with retarded posts please.
mccess @ Dec 16th 2006 1:37AM
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobileoptions/bro ...
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/NatwideNe ...
Now what corner of hell do you stay in and can get better broadband service with squint?
sprint took a half year to get rev. a up and running, verizon two.
sprint not planning on massive expansion of evdo service (they want to upgrade current system to rev. a)
verizon evdo expansion over 100 cities, rev a.
will also be rolled out into the new markets as well as the old.
The MCCES
EVDO INFO @ Dec 22nd 2006 1:09AM
Verizon Rev-A has been spotted in several cities already:
http://www.evdoforums.com/thread4118.html
Get Verizon's Rev-A, Sierra ac595 card for $39 less than Verizon store at:
http://booster-antenna.com/verizon/
Birdy @ Jan 3rd 2007 4:23PM
Personally, I think copper wire is best. All of this high-speed wireless and broadband is just a passing fad. Who in the world needs to have more than 30kbps of data thrown at you? You can't read that fast anyway-- and watching tv while you are mobile? What? Seems like a portable potty is a lot higher priority than that nonsense.
I mean, just ask Starbucks to get a tv for chrissake. Watch the dang movie that is showing on the plane, or get the dvd.
outoffocuz @ Jun 3rd 2007 5:16PM
Enter me.