Sprint Launches EV-DO, Things Get A Little More Interesting

US carrier Sprint did the full launch of its EV-DO offering today, calling it Sprint Power Vision" (annoying intro to the site). It's EV-DO, and the content is focused on TV and music. There are a number of streaming channels of both kinds users can get. While the content doesn't look all that exciting, the prices are quite good: they're offering 3 levels, at $15, $20 and $25 per month (all unlimited use), and the only real distinction is the number of TV channels users get. It's simple and straightforward (well, until you start looking at premium channel subscriptions and so on, but even still...). Tethering the phone to a laptop costs an extra $25 per month, but it's still cheaper than Verizon.

This should be an interesting 6 weeks or so -- Cingular's HSDPA network is rumored to be launched tomorrow and Mobile ESPN goes on sale in four markets (Austin is one of them, and I was planning on picking up a unit to play with, until I saw the pricing), while Amp'd should get going before Christmas.

The real question isn't the fast networks -- 2 EV-DO and one HSDPA will take care of that -- but the content. Verizon's V CAST and Sprint Power Vision are focused on video, but will that be compelling enough to get people to upgrade? I've got my doubts, and I'm very curious to see what else they'll be putting in front of users.