Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless and Novatel Wireless, Inc. have announced the USB720, the first CDMA 1x Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) USB wireless modem from Verizon Wireless.

Through an industry standard USB interface, the compact USB720 wireless modem is compatible with all the latest notebooks, desktops and handhelds.

Rob Hadley, senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Novatel Wireless (News - Alert) said in a press release that with the USB standard available in virtually all computing devices in the marketplace, the USB720 offers Verizon Wireless customers the tremendous flexibility of using a USB port for wireless connectivity.

Hadley is pleased that Verizon Wireless has selected them as a supplier for EV-DO Rev. A products and believes that providing Verizon Wireless’ first EV-DO Rev. A USB modem shows Novatel Wireless' commitment to developing the most advanced and valuable wireless broadband access solutions.

Verizon Wireless has also announced enhancements to its network to provide BroadbandAccess customers with the increased speeds of Rev. A technology in portions of Illinois, Florida, Massachusetts, Utah and Virginia.

The enhancements will enable the customers to experience average download speeds of 450-800 kilobits per second (kbps) and average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps. The enhanced speeds will translate into the ability to download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment in less than 15 seconds and upload the same size file in less than 25 seconds.

The USB720 is highly compact, weighs a mere 1.6 ounces and is fully compatible with the Verizon Wireless’ enhanced and existing wireless broadband networks and the company’s NationalAccess network (based on CDMA 1xRTT technology).

The modem boasts an advanced dual band diversity antenna system design with an integrated flip antenna. This maximizes performance and strengthens network signal reception. Working seamlessly with the Enterprise edition of VZAccess Manager software, the USB720 supports Windows (2000, XP, and Vista), and Mac OS X.

There are no additional charges for customers in Rev. A enhanced coverage areas who purchase the new USB720 and who are current subscribers to BroadbandAccess. These customers will enjoy the new improved speeds immediately.

Verizon Wireless operates a reliable wireless voice and data network, serving more than 59 million customers. Verizon Wireless is headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 65,000 employees nationwide.

Novatel Wireless designs and develops innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G WCDMA (HSDPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies.

Want to learn more about wireless voice and data networks? Then be sure to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.

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Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet, covering call centers, CRM and information technology. To see more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.