What one CDMA carrier can do, another can do better, right? Eh, not quite, but they
can stare each other down holding the exact same weapon, just daring each other to make the next move. Just a week after Verizon Wireless
launched the MiFi 2200 portable EV-DO router, Sprint has decided to offer up the exact same product for use on its network. The battery-powered box, engineered by Novatel Wireless, enables users to connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices to Sprint's EV-DO Rev. A network, and it'll be marketed in stores as the Sprint Mobile Hotspot. According to the carrier, its unit will be the first in the US to support MiFi's GPS capabilities, allowing users to take advantage of select location and mapping applications. It should be noted, however, that Sprint's service plans differ quite significantly from those offered up by VZW. The up front cost is the same at $99 after a $50 mail-in rebate (on a two-year agreement), though the only two options for getting it connected are as follows:
- $59.99 per month mobile broadband only plan (excluding taxes and surcharges)
- $149.99 per month Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband (phone plus device connectivity -- excluding taxes and surcharges)
- Both plans include up to 5 GB per month and 5 cents per megabyte overage for the MiFi 2200. [Ugh, disgusting.]
- Available in early June.
[Via
phoneArena]
posted May 13th 2009 at 1:09PM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bluerazr @ May 13th 2009 1:43PM
This will come in handy in my trips to Austin from Dallas and have everyone in my truck browse the web on their iPhones via Sprint EVDO rev A. How ironic is that? (Mostly edge or crappy 3G along 35 from Dallas to Austin for ATT)
No really I use a Nokia tablet streaming internet radio via bluetooth tethering from my Sprint phone, connection always sucked because I have the early tablet that doesnt stream at high capacity. Why bother when this will now connect at full bandwidth. I cannot wait until this come out!
Bonqueesha @ May 13th 2009 3:10PM
$0.05/MB overage rates? That's ludicrous... o_O
Brian @ May 13th 2009 4:15PM
Engadget Mobile: Way to throw a big FU at Sprint unfairly pimping Verizon's identical service.
Ironic, consider Sprint runs ads on this site.
Fact: Verizon and Sprint have identical service plans: $59.99/mo for 5GB of traffic
elgee02 @ May 13th 2009 7:17PM
What the hell are you talking about?!?!
If you are referring to the previous post about VZW's MiFi, well that's what some people call a "review". You know, when someone takes a devices and uses for a period of time, then weighs their opinions on it. VZW's MiFi has been out for about a week now, whereas just today Sprint only announced their MiFi device.
Defensive much?