Nortel, Lucent Line Up for Sprint Wireless Data Deal

Sprint (FON Quote) is preparing to unveil its much-anticipated wireless data plans at an industry technology show Tuesday morning, according to people familiar with the company.

The Overland Park, Kan., telco is expected to announce that it has chosen a wireless transmission standard known as evolution data only, or EV-DO, to upgrade its network and offer fast Internet access to its cell-phone and laptop subscribers. Sprint has apparently scheduled the announcement for Tuesday morning at Supercomm, a trade show in Chicago. Sprint was not immediately available for comment.

Sprint joins Verizon Wireless -- a joint venture between Verizon (VZ Quote) and Vodafone (VOD Quote) -- as the second telco to choose EV-DO as its so-called third generation, or 3G, technology strategy. Rival Cingular, a joint venture between SBC (SBC Quote) and BellSouth (BLS Quote), is testing a different technology known as universal mobile telecommunications system, or UMTS.

The big three wireless shops are in an arms race of sorts, attempting to enhance their networks for high-speed Net delivery in the hopes of capturing new revenue beyond calling and short messaging services. ...