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Sprint Launches Mobile Broadband Network in Buffalo and Rochester

Sprint announceы that it has upgraded the Sprint Power Vision Network, 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 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.

The upgraded EV-DO Revision A coverage in the Buffalo 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.

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.

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.



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