We know that HSPA+ (also known as HSPA Evolution, depending on who you ask and which side of the bed they got up on that morning) is in the mix for AT&T ahead of LTE, and in order to make that launch a successful one, good data cards are a must. It looks like two of the cards coming out of the gate later this year will be the Option 393 -- an unassuming USB modem with a retractable plug and integrated microSD reader -- and the Sierra "Triple Lindy," a dual form factor ExpressCard in the same vein as the AirCard 402. The 393 will top out at 14.4Mbps down and 5.76Mbps up, while the Triple Lindy really burns rubber with 21.1Mbps down and 11.5Mbps up. Of course, all those speeds are purely theoretical -- but if we can even average 10 to 15 percent of that in real life, we're in good shape.

Generally when you think of a CDMA data card -- well, any data card, for that matter -- you think of a branded product that you purchase through your carrier at some seemingly random price that lies somewhere between "free" and "too much" after you've agreed to spend the next two years of your life dealing with 5GB caps, bankruptcy-inducing global roaming charges, and the occasional ill-timed failure during a liveblog (okay, maybe that last part is just us). Verizon promised great things through the opening of its network to all comers, though, and Sierra Wireless is taking full advantage with the introduction of its USB 598 stick fully certified for use on Verizon's spectrum. Because the device isn't offered through Verizon, you're welcome to purchase it through any number of retailers (including Sierra Wireless' own online store) without having a single contract document presented to you, and when you get it activated, you'll be enjoying EV-DO Rev. A speeds just like everybody else. It retails for $199 -- just remember not to bother looking for it in your local Big Red shop.

We can't say there are an awful lot of folks out there looking for a single mobile broadband card that'll play nice in both PC Card and ExpressCard slots, but for that niche that's intently paying attention, have a look at this. The Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 is the company's first to offer such 2-in-1 functionality, and it's designed to operate on EV-DO Rev. A networks handling speeds of up to 3.1Mbps (downlink) / 1.8Mbps (uplink). Users can also bank on the company's TRU-Locate GPS service to "quickly and accurately establish location for local searches and navigation." There's no mention of a price or release date, but it should be on hand for us to peer at during CTIA this week.

[Via ExpressCard-Info]

[Via Slash Phone]

Truth be told, there's nothing extraordinary about Sierra Wireless' latest EV-DO USB modem. It plays nice with Rev. A networks, includes a microSD slot, and comes with TRU-Install to simplify the setup procedure. Granted, it is "the only product in its class to include a connector for an external antenna (saywha?)," and it is remarkably small, so it's still worth a look if you're currently doing without. As expected, you'll reach downlink speeds of up to 3.1Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1.8Mbps, and the built-in GPS antenna is a nice bonus, too. Unfortunately, we've no idea how costly this one will be, but be on the lookout for a Q2 launch.

[Via MobileBurn]

Hot on the heels of the AirCard 595U, Sierra Wireless is expanding its HSUPA offerings with a new duo of USB modems. The AirCard 880U and 881U both connect to your Windows or OS X-based computer via USB, sport the company's TRU design features, and offer up a "theoretical maximum [upload] speed of 2Mbps," while downlink speeds tout a "theoretical maximum of 7.2Mbps." Additionally, in areas where HSUPA networks aren't available, both modems are "fully compatible with HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, and GSM network technologies on all frequencies currently used worldwide." The 880U is said to be "optimized for Europe and Asia, while the AirCard 881U is optimized for North America," and both units are slated to ship out next month.

[Via Macworld]

BroadbandAccess customers, meet Sierra Wireless' AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem, which is (almost) finally available to you through Verizon Wireless. Designed for use with your USB port, this EV-DO Rev A modem can also be connected through the included docking cradle, and even comes bundled with VZAccess Manager software. Additionally, the device boasts an internal, removable battery to "ensure there is always enough power support to handle peak or fringe area transmission requirements," and should be available for those interested on August 30th for $179.99 -- after you mail back a pesky rebate and sign your name to a two-year agreement, that is.

At long last, the wait for Sierra Wireless' AirCard 875U on AT&T is over, as the USB WWAN modem has just popped up on the firm's Premier webstore. Unsurprisingly, this 2.2-ounce portal to the world connects via USB 2.0 and provides interoperable service between BroadbandConnect and EDGE networks. You'll find all the quad-band GSM and tri-band HSDPA love you could ever need here, and while Windows 2000, XP, and Vista users are all taken care of, it looks like the OS X crowd will have to sit this one out for awhile. So if you're interested in hopping on the 3.6Mbps mobile internet highway, head on over to AT&T Premier with $379.99 (or $149.99 with a new two-year contract) ready to hand over.

P.S. -Macs can get their 3G on with Sierra's Mac driver support here.

[Thanks, Jake]

It wouldn't be a solid wireless trade show without some hot 3G modem announcements, and sure enough, Sierra Wireless is kicking off CTIA with pricing and release info for its AirCard 595U EV-DO Rev A USB modem. Better late than never -- we were expecting this zippy peripheral sometime late last year -- the 595U will be available from Sprint next month for "as low as $49.99," which means that you'll be signing a two-year contract and mailing in some rebates. Sure going USB isn't quite as convenient as built-in 3G or ExpressCard / PCMCIA models, but our lone slot is already filled with a MoGo Mouse, and we wouldn't give up that convenience for anything.

If the Canucks out there have been getting a bit jealous at all the Rev A love going around down south, your resentment ends now -- well, sometime this year, anyway. Thanks to Telus and Sierra Wireless, EV-DO Rev A connectvitiy is headed to Canada in the coming months, as interested users will be able to pop the AirCard 595 into their laptop's PCMCIA slot and reportedly reach peak speeds of up to 3.1Mbps downstream and 1.8Mbps upstream. Of course, it is noted that typical speeds will range between 300 to 400Kbps whilst uploading, and 450 to 800Kbps on the downward slope, but you Canadians will probably take what you can get, eh? Unfortunately, there's no set dates for the future rollouts, and "select markets" is all we have to go on for availability, but we do know that Telus will be charging $349.99 for the AirCard 595 sans a contract, or you can lock yourself in for a whopping three years if you've only got $99.99 to spare.

While the Wintel crowd has been enjoying that Rev. A speediness for some time now (in certain locales, at least), the Mac faithful have been fairly well shut out up until now. Thanks to Sprint and Sierra Wireless, all that changes today, as the Seirra AirCard 595 PC Card now works in OS X 10.4 or later. The free Watcher Lite 1.0 software is currently available from Sierra's website, but before you go dashing out to pick up a card, you will still need a Windows-based machine to activate the device or have it pre-activated before heading into your Mac. Furthermore, don't plan on utilizing that ExpressCard slot either, as the only supported card thus far rocks a PCMCIA interface. Nah, Macworld hasn't hit full swing just yet, but this news is a real fine way to get things rolling.

Sprint may have beaten big ol' Red this time around, but Verizon's not about to let a little friendly rivalry get them down. Rumor has it that the nation's largest CDMA carrier begins rolling out its EV-DO Revision A network this Friday, starting with ten cities (Sacramento and Salt Lake City among them) and a little data card we like to call the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595. Like Sprint's Rev. A launch, Verizon customers lucky enough to get their hands on the requisite equipment should see a substantial improvement in upstream speeds (we're guessing 300-400kbps) with a more incremental boost in the opposite direction. Pricing for the AirCard 595 should start at $150 on a two year agreement, topping out at $270 commitment-free.

[Thanks, htckid]

Update: GigaOM now reports a Verizon official as stating that it already has a handful of markets running EV-DO Revision A as is, and while they intend to launch a Rev. A-capable card in the near future (almost certainly the previously mentioned AirCard 595), it will not be announcing the launch of the network in an official capacity until it takes a significant number of additional markets live. Of course, official announcement or no, customers might be able to take advantage of some turbocharged wireless data in the near term just as soon as that AirCard starts shipping.

For all you internet junkies out there (and if you're reading Engadget on a Friday night, we're referring to you), you'll be pleased to know that Intel's newest chipset for next-gen UMPCs are getting some 3G love from Sierra Wireless. This dovetails nicely with the announcement yesterday that Intel's Santa Rosa chipset would be also be getting some HSDPA action, but from cellphone giant Nokia. Intel also said that its newest ultra-mobile chip will be based on the Core 2 Duo, will only draw half as much power, and will measure just one quarter the size of the current chipset. Ok guys, we don't mind you shrinking the devices, but for the love of Gordon Moore, please don't make those screens any more squint-inducing.