Sprint this month will launch its Evolution Data Optimized wireless high-speed data service in 34 markets, the company said last week.

Sprint first announced its EV-DO service plans just more than a year ago. The carrier says its EV-DO Wireless High-Speed Data Service will be available in at least 60 metropolitan markets by early next year and reach 150 million people.

"With this announcement we're enabling mobile workers with connection cards. Handset launches are planned for later in 2005 with associated applications," says Barry Tishgart, senior director of product management at Sprint.

Users can expect EV-DO multimedia applications with handsets that are equipped with better processing power, screens and more memory in the fourth quarter, he says.

The initial EV-DO markets will include Charlotte, N.C., Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans and Sacramento. In July, cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Miami and San Francisco will come online. A full list of the service's geographic reach is available here .

Verizon Wireless was the first provider to make EV-DO available last year. The carrier's BroadbandAccess EV-DO service is available in 50 markets, supporting transmission speeds between 400K and 700K bit/sec. Verizon Wireless says its BroadbandAccess service will be available to more than half of the U.S. population by year-end.

Packages and pricing

Sprint says its EV-DO service also supports wireless data transmissions between 400K and 700K bit/sec and can burst up to 2M bit/sec. EV-DO is a huge leap forward for Sprint's 1xRTT wireless data users who have average transmission speeds of 50K to 70K bit/sec, Tishgart says.

Consumer pricing plans start at $40 per month for 40M bytes. If users go over the 40M bytes, the most they will be charged is $90 per month.

The carrier also is offering an unlimited service for business users starting at $80 per month.

Users who sign up for either package also will have the option of using Sprint's 1xRTT Code Division Multiple Access wireless network when they are roaming in areas where EV-DO is not yet available.

Customers also are required to purchase an AirCard from Sierra Wireless or Novatel Wireless that costs about $250 each.