MTS has become the first CDMA operator to launch EVDO rev B network in the country. EVDO Rev B is the improved version of CDMA 3G (EVDO) network and offers speeds up to 9.8 Mbps.
The network has been launched in Jaipur (Rajasthan) and will be subsequently launched in other top 25 cities of the country shortly. MTS has also launched Mblaze Ultra dongles for the subscribers to be able to enjoy the high speed network.
The dongle will be available for Rs 2,499 and the tariff plans will start at Rs 629. Subscribers will also have an option to buy the Dongle for Rs 4,599 for which they will get 1 GB of data every month for six months without any extra cost.
MTS has also announced that people buying the dongle in the first month of its launch will get 50 per cent extra data every month for lifetime, which means that if you buy the Rs 4,599 dongle you will be getting 1.5 GB data every month for 6 months, instead of 1 GB. Even after the initial freebies are over, every recharge will offer 50 per cent more data usage on every recharge for the entire lifetime of the device.
CDMA operators have been rolling out EVDO Rev A networks in the country even before the 3G services where launched by GSM operators like Airtel, Idea and Vodafone. However after the launch of 3G services in the country, 3.1 Mbps speeds that CDMA operators were offering seemed slow in comparison to 7.2 Mbps (most handsets and dongles support this speed while 21 Mbps speed is available only with costlier handsets and dongles) of the GSM network.
Currently the Rev A services are available in more than 500 cities across the country. With the pressure from GSM operators, CDMA players are planning to upgrade this network to the next generation Rev B services. According industry sources, Tata Communication (Photon + service) will be rolling out Rev B services in top 40 cities by the end of this year.
Reliance Communication is also reportedly working on it.
EVDO handsets, which are already in the market, can also enjoy the high speed network as they are supporting the Rev B network.
MTS is also planning to launch a tablet which will support EVDO network. MTS has more than 1 million data dongle users in the country and this new network addition is expected to increase the rate of adoption. We are awaiting the details of plans for this network and we will keep you posted as and when we access to the information.