EVDO is the abbreviation for Evolution-Data Optimised or Evolution-Data Only. It is the new emerging standard for wireless transmission of data via radio signals. This technology is presently used for wireless broadband access of the internet. In the ever advancing telecommunications technology, EVDO has arrived using the multiplexing techniques such as CDMA or Code-Dvision Multiple Access and TDMA or Time-Division Multiple Access in order to enhance and maximise the thoroughput of the individual user and the overall system. EVDO rides on the CDMA network, much like the cellphones.

This 3G wireless broadband internet access service called EVDO is directly competing with Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi has limitations, EVDO transcends most of this and provides always-on internet services. Wherever your cellphone has range, EVDO will function and provide high-speed internet. The US has seen a spurt in the EVDO service providers with the emergence of Verizon and Sprint as the front-runners. In India, the state-owned communications giant BSNL has already gone ahead and implemented the EVDO Wireless Broadband Services in select Indian Towns and Cities. With EV-DV, the voice counterpart of EVDO slated to arrive, the wireless internet services scenario looks bright.

Broadband internet services in India especially has come of age only recently. But the rapid advancements in this area belie the late entry into the field by India. Already several private and public service providers compete with each other and the cut-throat competition has already seen price-reduction wars. With the EVDO being taken up by private and public players, the competition is hotting up. Tata Indicom, one of the bigger private players has already introduced the usb internet modem based on the CDMA platform. Tata Indicom was earlier upstaged by Reliance Infocomm another big private player in its race to launch the Internet Data Card or the usb-CDMA Modem. Now the BSNL has entered the arena with a flamboyant launch of the EVDO data card.

Whether it is broadband DSL or wireless broadband EVDO or WiFi, the customers are in for a real treat of surfing the net at blinding speed at virtually down to earth prices.