Sprinting Ahead: Carrier Debuts Dual 3G/4G Modem

As the rest of the world upgrades to 3G wireless broadband, Sprint Nextel has 4G in its sights.

Sprint Wednesday unveiled a dual-mode 3G and 4G modem, set to hit retail stores Dec. 21, that operates on both Sprint's 3G and 4G networks.

According to Sprint, the 3G/4G Modem U300 uses Sprint's Now Network, its nationwide 3G network, while also using the lightning-fast speeds of WiMax on Sprint's 4G network.

In September, Sprint officially launched 4G WiMax in Baltimore and has plans to release it in other markets across the country in 2009. The U300 modem, Sprint contends, will offer wireless broadband users "blazing-fast Internet access, greater productivity and enhanced multimedia quality" on both the 3G and 4G wireless networks.

"Sprint intends to be the leader in 4G and bring the wireless Internet to life," said Sprint CEO Dan Hesse in a statement. "This first-of-its-kind device allows our customers to take the Internet with them essentially wherever they go by gaining enhanced speed and capability in 4G markets and the nationwide coverage of our 3G network across the rest of the country."

4G WiMax promises faster data rates that its predecessors. According to some estimates, WiMax is three to five times faster than 4G, meaning downloading a song or retrieving a large data file on the 4G network will take just seconds.

According to Sprint, the 3G/4G USB modem will access multimedia applications at average downlink speeds of 2 Mbps to 4 Mbps within 4G service areas. In 3G coverage areas, average downlink speeds will be 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps.

The U300 modem, which is manufactured by Franklin Wireless, comes in a data card form factor that connects via a standard USB port. The modem is priced at $149.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate.

Starting Dec. 21, the USB data card can be purchased via the Sprint direct business sales force, at most Baltimore-area Sprint stores and some Baltimore-area retailers. Come January, Baltimore-area Best Buy stores will carry the device.