If you’re a cell phone user (and who isn’t these days?) you’ve probably heard about the new EV-DO networks that can deliver crystal clear calls as well as a bevy of next generation wireless services such as music and video downloads, mobile Internet, mobile email, chat and IM, etc. … but have you actually tried it out yet?

Well, now that three of the major US wireless service providers (Sprint (News - Alert), Verizon and Alltel) have rolled out EV-DO Rev. A technology on their networks, you are starting to run out of excuses (that is, unless you are financially compromised to the point where you can only afford the cheapest wireless service – ah, yes, we understand …). Basically, when you upgrade to EV-DO Rev. A, you usually need a newer model handset and an EV-DO Rev. A “card” which is inserted into the phone to enable network connectivity – but once you get past these minor, “one-time-only” costs, most users are reporting that making the leap to faster wireless service has opened up a whole new world for them – and that it is well worth the extra monthly fee.

So, now that Sprint has rolled EV-DO Rev. A on portions of its nationwide network (this higher tier of the network is ominously named the “Power Vision Network”), San Diego, Calif.-based Novatel Wireless (News - Alert), which has been partnering with the mobile giant, has taken advantage of the situation and launched a new EV-DO Rev. A card called the “Merlin EX720 ExpressCard.” This nifty little chip, which plugs into your handset, not only offers higher data speeds, but also has an A-GPS location-based capability which could be used to save your life if you happen to be stranded somewhere – like a mountaintop or some other remote wilderness location - or if you are in some other emergency situation. The GPS service has other, more practical applications as well: For example, you can use it to find nearby locations, such as restaurants, gas stations, banks etc., without having to input their current location. According to Novatel Wireless, this is achieved with software that allows the ExpressCard to instinctively get a GPS reading. An automatically launched web browser, with a mapping software solution indicates the location of the user and provides results from the search query.

But perhaps most importantly, the new ExpressCard is capable of delivering “DSL-like” broadband speeds. When used in markets where EV-DO Rev. A is available on the network, the card is said to provide average upload speeds of 350-500 Kbps (compared with 50-70 Kbps of current EV-DO networks) and average download speeds of 600 Kbps-1.4 Mbps (from 400-700 Kbps). Having faster broadband, obviously, opens up a whole new world of capabilities for your handset.

According to Novatel Wireless, the new ExpressCard supports different operating systems, including Windows (XP, 2000, Vista) and Mac (10.4 or higher). The chip is reportedly smaller and lighter than most PCMCIA cards and is designed for use in laptops that support the ExpressCard 34 and/or 54 interface.

According to Novatel, the software delivers an easy-to-understand user interface via the Sprint Connection Manager, thus simplifying navigation through the card’s cast features. In addition, the card’s dual band diversity antenna system design incorporates a “flip-up antenna” which improves signal reception.

The Novatel Wireless Merlin EX720 Rev. A ExpressCard will be available in late February through Sprint sales channels, including retail stores, and at www.sprint.com.

EV-DO Rev. A has significant advantages over its predecessor, 1xEV-DO Rev. 0, because it can support packetized data on both the forward and reverse links. Thus it offers significantly higher data speeds and reduced latency, which is essential for migration to new technologies such as mobile VoIP and mobile digital video. Although EV-DO Rev. A air-interface latency specifications have not been published, several Qualcomm (News - Alert) (which developed EV-DO, also known as CDMA2000) documents show latency in the “low double digit” range with the highest RSVP settings. In fact, Qualcomm claims 50ms latency is possible using this new technology. EV-DO Rev. A is largely viewed as a competing technology to High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), which is based on the UMTS standard.

Interestingly, there is a new 1xEV-DO Rev B specification on the horizon. This is considered the progressive evolution of 1xEV-DO Rev A. 1xEVDO Rev B builds on the capabilities of 1xEVDO Rev A by delivering even higher rates (up to 4.9 Mbps on the downlink) and by bundling multiple channels together. Thus it is capable of supporting advanced new services such as high definition video streaming.

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Patrick Barnard is Assignment Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page.