Vodafone has launched a data card that works on its partner network Verizon Wireless’ CDMA network in the USA.
The card uses Verizon Wireless’ EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimised) network to provide customers with access to the mobile network.
Vodafone says business customers “simply need to remove the Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS datacard and replace it with the Vodafone Mobile Connect EVDO datacard, then use the existing Vodafone Mobile Connect software to access Verizon Wireless’ EVDO network.”
The card will be sold separately or in a package with Vodafone’s GPRS/3G card, and data roaming will be charged “at the same rates currently offered by the local Vodafone operator”.
Vodafone wants to encourage European business travellers to the USA (25% of all business travellers, it says) to use its group network rather than roam onto rival GSM networks. The obvious drawback has been that Verizon’s CDMA network has precluded that option for most European travellers to the US.
