(Click here for a larger view of Sky Link's AnyDATA ASP-505)

EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) Revision A cellular networking is relatively uncommon even in the United States, and was first rolled out on CDMA networks by rivals Sprint and Verizon, via wireless modem cards for laptop users. Sprint rolled out its first EV-DO Rev. A phone, a revised version of the HTC Mogul, in March. That device was touted as supporting data rates of 3.1Mbps downstream and 1.8Mbps upstream.

Sky Link makes identical speed claims for its new EV-DO Rev. A network and phone. The carrier, which claims to have been the first to introduce EV-DO into Russia, in 2006, says that 80 percent of its cellular towers in the Moscow area will have been upgraded to EV-DO Rev. A by next month.

The carrier's first EV-DO Rev. A handset, the AnyDATA ASP-505 operates on 450MHz and 800MHz bands. In addition to high-speed wide area networking, it provides 802.11b/g wireless local area networking, along with Bluetooth. The device also includes a built-in satellite navigation receiver, said to be based on the omnipresent SiRF starIII chipset. Like other receivers using this chipset, the phone apparently operates only with American GPS satellites, not Russia's rival GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System).

The AnyDATA ASP-505 includes the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system, a 2.8-inch touchscreen display, and a two megapixel camera. It has a Samsung SC32443 processor clocked at 400MHz, along with a microSD expansion slot. However, the device's RAM and flash memory complements were undisclosed.

Features and specifications listed by Sky Link for the AnyDATA ASP-505 include:

• Processor -- Samsung S3C2443 clocked at 400MHz
  
• Memory -- n/a
  
• Display -- 2.8 inch touchscreen display
  
• Keyboard -- n/a
  
• Wireless:
  • WAN -- CDMA (450MHz and 800MHz) with EV-DO Rev. A data mode; offers 3.1Mbps downstream and 1.8Mbps upstream
    
  • LAN -- 802.11b/g
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth
    
  • GPS
• Other I/O -- n/a
  
• Expansion -- microSD slot
  
• Battery type -- 1270mAH
  
• Dimensions -- 4 x 2.3 x 0.56 inches (102 x 58 x 14.3mm)
  
• Weight -- 4.23 ounces (120 grams)
  

In related news, Reuters reported Monday that the Russian services conglomerate Sistema has asked Russia's state anti-monopoly agency for permission to buy the 50 percent of Sky Link it does not already own. Sistema is already said to own MTS (Mobile TeleSystems), Russia's largest mobile phone operator.

Further information

Sky Link says the AnyDATA ASP-505 will be available during the fourth quarter, though pricing was not released. More information may be available on the carrier's web site, here.

For the Reuters article on Sistema's proposed takeover of Sky Link, see the news service's web site, here.

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