MobileTechReview Forum, News and Reviews: Alltel Rolls Out EVDO Rev. A

Alltel Wireless today announced that it will continue expanding its wireless broadband network in 2008 with the launch of EVDO (evolution data optimized) Revision A technology, enabling customers to upload files five to 10 times faster than before. Here is more info:

"Rev. A is the next step in Alltel?s commitment to provide our customers with the fast wireless broadband service they have come to expect in their business and personal lives," said Jeff Fox, chief operating officer of Alltel Wireless. ?As our customers? needs continue to grow, Alltel?s network is well-positioned to deliver higher speeds and greater capacity for years to come.?

Alltel?s existing broadband Wireless Internet service enables remote access to corporate intranets, productivity enhancing applications and a variety of consumer products, such as Alltel TV and XM Radio Mobile. Rev. A will enhance the performance of all of those services. Alltel plans an initial rollout of Rev. A to 18 market areas and dozens of cities, including Charlotte, New Orleans, Phoenix and Tampa. Customers using Rev. A will experience average upload speeds of 500-800 Kbps with bursts up to 1.8 Mbps. Upload speeds on the company?s existing broadband network average 50-70 Kbps, with bursts up to 144 Kbps, so the enhanced network will be five to 10 times faster.

Download speeds also will increase. Rev. A download speeds average 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps, with bursts up to 3.1 Mbps. By comparison, downloads on the existing broadband network average 400-700 Kbps with bursts up to 2.4 Mbps. Using Rev. A, customers can expect to download a 1 Megabyte e-mail file attachment ? the equivalent of a small Power Point presentation or a large PDF file ? in less than 15 seconds and upload the same file in less than 25 seconds.

Alltel Wireless customers will need a Rev. A-capable device to access the company?s enhanced broadband network. Rev. A-capable Wireless Internet cards for laptops include the Huawei EC228 USB and the UTStarcom UM 150. Customers with an HTC PPC6800 or the HTC Touch smartphone can make their phones Rev. A-capable by visiting www.htc.com/us/ and downloading the appropriate software. The software is free.

In addition to rolling out Rev. A in select markets, Alltel Wireless will continue to expand its existing EVDO network, which now covers 76 percent of its potential customers. By the end of 2008, Alltel expects to cover about 82 percent of its potential customers with EVDO. Nationally, Alltel Wireless has one of the largest EVDO footprints of any U.S. carrier, covering cities such as Cleveland, Charlotte and Tampa, as well as many smaller communities. In addition to the extensive coverage provided by its own network, Alltel?s roaming agreements give its customers with data-card equipped laptops Wireless Internet access in all of the nation?s major metropolitan areas, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Both versions of Alltel?s Wireless Internet service ? EVDO and Rev. A ? are available for $59.99 a month and do not require a voice plan in order to qualify.
Customers can add unlimited access to 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to any Alltel Wireless Internet plan for $9.99.

Alltel Wireless continues to provide choice and control to the customer?s wireless experience with its exclusive ?My Circle? feature, giving customers unlimited calling to and from any five, 10 or 20 numbers on any network for free. Alltel Wireless was also the first to offer Anytime Plan Changes, giving customers the flexibility to change their calling plans at any time, without extending their current contract. Alltel recently received ?Highest Call Quality Performance Among Wireless Cell Phone Users in the West and Southeast Regions, and in the Southwest Region in a Tie? according to J.D. Power and Associates? 2008 Wireless Call Quality Performance StudySM ? Vol. 1.

Alltel is owner and operator of the nation?s largest wireless network and has more than 13 million wireless customers.

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