Cell carriers are pretty far behind on 3G, but Verizon's early deployment may give it an edge -- I mean, a competitive advantage: While GSM operators struggle with GPRS (10 to 50 Kbps) and are rapidly trying to get EDGE fully deployed (100 Kbps), Sprint is staying the course with 1xRTT (50 to 70 Kbps), and T-Mobile and Nextel don't seem to be in the running for anything more interesting.
Verizon Wireless's early 3G deployment (1xEvDO, 300 to 500 Kbps) in San Diego and Washington, D.C., may pay off, Matt Maier of Business 2.0 notes, because they simply have this service now at a fixed rate. The advent of cell phone number portability about to be engaged ties in with this: Verizon is the only cell company to back it. They want people to switch over, sign up for data, and then lock them in with long-term contracts and the only real 3G that will have any scope in 2004. Great plan!
(All speeds more or less real world, not the advertised ones.)