Sprint Corp. said it will begin offering Novatel Wireless Inc.’s Merlin S620 PC card that is designed to operate on the carrier’s CDMA2000 1x and soon-to-launch EV-DO network. The PC card includes Sprint’s PCS Connection Manager Software to manage the user’s network connection and provides a compression client, self-diagnostic tools and automatic software updates from the Internet.
Sprint said earlier this year that it expects to begin rolling out EV-DO services by the end of the second quarter with plans to cover 150 million potential customers in 60 metro areas by early next year. Sprint added that the EV-DO network will provide average network speeds of between 400 kilobits per second and 700 kbps with peak speeds up to 2 megabits per second.
Verizon Wireless already offers EV-DO services in 32 markets across the country with plans to cover two-thirds of its network by the end of the year. Verizon Wireless offers three EV-DO-compatible EV-DO cards, including the Novatel V620, as well as three EV-DO handsets and a smart phone.
Sprint said the Novatel device will be available through Sprint business channels for $250 before rebates. The Novatel card joins the previously launched Sierra Wireless Aircard 580 that is also EV-DO capable.
