Verizon launches EVDO Rev. A broadband, adapters
updated 09:20 am EST, Thu February 1, 2007
Verizon EVDO Rev A
Verizon this morning officially unveiled the EVDO Revision A version of its BroadbandAccess mobile Internet service. The plan will initially beavailable in all of the carrier's Florida coverage areas as well as Boston, Chicago, and parts of Utah and Virginia. The upgrade dramatically improves real-world speeds, especially for uploads. Downloads average between 450 and 800Kbps, Verizon says; uploads, however, surge to between 300 and 400Kbps, well beyond the double-digit averages experienced in the field. A 1MB file is said to upload in roughly 25 seconds.
The provider has also announced its first adapters that will connect to the service. Newly announced is the USB720 (pictured), a Verizon equivalent to Sprint's U720 made by Novatel. The device plugs into the USB port of any compatible computer and will officially support both Mac OS X and Windows Vista, allowing the MacBook and computers without dedicated card slots to connect to Verizon's fastest network. The company additionally revealed that the already available AirCard 595 now officially supports the EVDO Rev. A service for older notebooks that use the PC Card format. The Internet access plan and both of the network adapters are ready today for business customers, according to Verizon, and should be available to the public starting tomorrow.
