Sprint Nextel is looking to go where no U.S. wireless carrier has gone before — up to 10 times faster than 3G. Sprint is the first carrier to launch a commercially available wireless 4G network, and the HTC EVO 4G will be the first device to leverage its speed when it debuts in June.
Sprint is targeting small businesses with its 4G network, promising faster e-mail delivery, quicker file downloads, and the ability to run multiple applications without slowing down access. At up to 10 times the speed of 3G, the new network will also pave the way for faster web browsing and fewer lags with video conferencing and video streaming.
The HTC EVO 4G will debut on Sprint’s network June 4. As its name suggests, the Android-powered phone is designed to work on Sprint’s new network. It offers two cameras, video chat and simultaneous voice and data. Consumers can plug the EVO 4G into an HDTV and continue watching a movie at home that they started in the car.
Price vs Value
“The HTC EVO 4G is a good phone that will really leverage WiMAX in a big way. You can do video chat on the device. You’ve got the capability of mobile hot-spot services that can support up to eight devices, but like all good things it doesn’t come cheap,” said Michael Gartenberg, a partner at Altimeter Group.
Sprint will sell the EVO 4G for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. Although Gartenberg said the phone is reasonably priced for what it delivers, getting the full functionality of the EVO 4G is more costly. For example, consumers need a Everything Data plan, which runs $69.99 a month. There is also a $10-a-month 4G surcharge consumers have to pay whether or not they have 4G in…