The EV-DO Rev-A network, which enables its customers to use fast cellular links to access the Internet on mobile devices, promises more robust uplink than the company’s existing Revision 0 infrastructure. The upshot is improved mobile services, such as VoIP and push-to-talk.
Verizon said average upload speeds are between 300 kbps to 400 kbps, which is about five times faster than its Revision 0 service. Download speeds for its Rev-A service have clocked in between 450 kbps and 800 kbps, according to Verizon.
The new network follows Sprint’s Rev-A launch last October.
Verizon expects there will be SMEs and prosumers willing to pay for its new Broadband Access services, which costs about twice as much as cable and DSL from rivals.
Verizon also is charging slightly more than Sprint for Rev-A. Verizon will charge $60 for an unlimited data plan for its existing phone customers and $80 for a standalone data plan, while Sprint charges just $40 for unlimited data with one of its phones and $60 for standalone data.
Verizon’s new BroadbandAccess service will be available in several US cities.
Not to be outdone, Sprint yesterday announced it would extend its Rev-A service in some of its US markets also. Sprint also claimed its Rev-A service is slightly faster than that being offered by Verizon.
