Sprint Nextel boosts Rev. A speed estimates, coverage

Sprint Nextel Corp. increased its estimates for the speed of its CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Revision A network, and expanded coverage in several markets including Miami, Fla.; Portland, Ore.; and Puerto Rico.
The carrier said that it has been monitoring the network and optimizing its performance, and has upgraded its initial estimates of the speeds that Rev. A users will experience. From initial average upload speed estimates of 300 kilobits per second to 400 kbps, Sprint Nextel now says that users will get average upload speeds of 350 kbps to 500 kbps. The carrier’s download speed averages are up from an initial 450 kbps to 800 kbps to between 600 kbps and 1.4 megabits per second.
The carrier also said that it will offer the Rev. A-equipped Novatel Merlin EX720 data card in all its sales channels by late February, to accommodate newer Microsoft Corp.’ Windows laptops and more Apple Inc. Macintosh models. The EX720, which will be available for purchase for $180 with a two-year contract, also has Global Positioning System capabilities, so a user can perform location-based searches for services or points of interest without having to enter a location.
Two other currently available cards, the U720 and S720 from Novatel, also can offer LBS with a software upgrade. Sprint Nextel said that it will add more GPS/LBS-capable devices to its portfolio later this year.
Sprint Nextel added Rev. A capabilities to Miami; Portland, Ore.; and Puerto Rico, bringing its total coverage to two dozen markets, and plans to have its entire network upgraded to the faster data speeds by the third quarter.