High speed data price war breaks out

AS WIDELY predicted, Sprint Nextel has responded to a recent price cut by arch rival, Verizon Wireless. It has told the FT that it will drop the charge for its EVDO data service to around $60 per month.

The company doesn't appear to have told its webmaster, though, because when the INQ checked, Sprint was still offering its wireless high speed data service for $79.99.

FT report is true, however, the Sprint Nextel deal will be better. Because in addition to the lower tariff, Sprint Nextel offers subscribers a free EVDO PC Card.

Sprint Nextel customers have the choice of either the Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 or the Novatel Wireless Merlin S620. By contrast, Verizon's customers are being asked to stump up $99.99 for the UTStarcom/Audiovox PC 5740.

Of course the catch is that Verizon currently has much greater coverage for its EVDO service than its rival Sprint Nextel.µ