Sprint announced that it has upgraded the Sprint Power Vision Network(SM), the nation’s largest wireless broadband network covering more than 170 million people, with the faster EV-DO Revision A technology in the Buffalo/Rochester New York market. With the upgraded mobile broadband network, customers in Buffalo and Rochester will ultimately be able to utilize richer applications and services such as high-speed video telephony, music on demand, video messaging and large file uploads.

Buffalo/Rochester is among the first 21 markets where Sprint will roll out EV-DO Revision A this year with coverage expected to reach more than 40 million people. Sprint Power Vision users in these markets should experience significantly faster average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps (compared with 50-70 kbps of current EV-DO networks). Average download speeds should also increase to 450–800 kbps from 400-700 kbps.

"Buffalo and Rochester are important markets for Sprint. With this upgrade, our customers here can use the largest and fastest mobile broadband network to send and receive information and data at DSL-like speeds, but with the added power to do it on the go," Karen Paletta, vice president of Sprint’s Northeast Central Area. "Mobile consumers can download video or music or access the internet, and business customers can download files, upload documents and retrieve and send email without being tied to their desks."

The upgraded EV-DO Revision A coverage in the Buffalo, New York market will initially be concentrated at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and from downtown Buffalo north to North Tonawanda; south to Lackawanna; and east to Harris Hill. In the Rochester area, the upgraded network will be immediately available at the Rochester International Airport, downtown Rochester and along the Interstate 390 corridor between Lake Ontario and Interstate 90. EV-DO Revision A coverage will expand from these areas where wireless data demand is highest, out to Sprint’s entire market footprint.

Currently Sprint provides mobile broadband services throughout the Buffalo and Rochester areas including Niagara Falls, Lockport, Angola, Seneca Falls and along most of the Route 104 corridor Niagara Falls to Huron. The upgrade is part of Sprint’s $7 billion investment in its wireless and wire line networks nationwide this year including more than $161 million through the third quarter of 2006 in New York.

Other communities in the Buffalo area with mobile broadband coverage include Cheektowaga, North Tonawanda, Depew, Kenmore, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Blasdell, East Aurora, Orchard Park, Sloan, Williamsville, Amherst, Armor, Athol Springs, Beach Ridge, Bergholtz, Billington Heights, Clover Bank, Derby, Scranton, and Wanakah, among others. Check for coverage at your address at our Interactive Coverage Map.

Other communities in the Rochester area with mobile broadband coverage include Irondequoit, Brighton, Greece, Brockport, Fairport, Spencerport, Gates Center, and Pittsford.

Overall, Sprint plans to reach more than 200 million people in the U.S. with mobile broadband data services (including both EV-DO Revisions 0 and A) in 220 major metropolitan areas across the country with its Power Vision network by the end of 2006. By 3Q 2007, Sprint’s Power Vision network is expected to be completely upgraded to the faster EV-DO Revision A.

The upgrade to EV-DO Revision A is expected to further drive Sprint’s wireless data leadership as customers will be able to use the upgraded network to utilize applications such as all IP video telephony, high-performance push-to-talk (walkie-talkie service), multi-user video conferencing, real-time gaming and video streaming as they become available.

Sprint Mobile Broadband Devices and Plans
As Sprint continues to launch EV-DO Revision A service in markets across the country, it is also expanding its portfolio of devices compatible with the enhanced technology. These devices include the Sprint Mobile Broadband USB Modem by Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 that plugs into the USB port of any compatible laptop and is expected to be available before the end of the year. In addition, Sprint offers the Pantech PX-500, Sierra Wireless Aircard®595 and the Novatel Wireless S720 which all operate with Type II PCMCIA slots and the Linksys Wireless G-Router for Mobile Broadband. All of these devices will also work on the Sprint Power Vision Network where the EV-DO Revision A upgrade is not yet available.

Customers signing a two-year Sprint subscriber agreement may be eligible to receive unlimited data usage for $59.99 per month (no separate voice plan required). Rates apply to all Power Vision users and do not change in areas that have been upgraded to EV-DO Revision A.

Additional information on Sprint’s Mobile Broadband network, including coverage maps showing current and future coverage, Mobile Broadband service plans, and the latest access devices, can be found at wirelessbroadbandinternet4laptops.com.