Verizon Wireless today launched its new EV-DO Revision A (Rev. A) broadband network, an upgrade to previous EV-DO networks giving customers the ability to upload files five to six times faster than before.

The network enhancements will launch initially in Mass., including Boston and its suburbs, the Richmond and Hampton Roads, Va. areas, Chicago and its suburbs and including Gary, Ind., Salt Lake City and other cities in Utah, as well as in Florida throughout the state's existing broadband network.

Customers in enhanced wireless broadband coverage areas can expect average download speeds of 450-800 kilobits per second (kbps) and average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps. The enhanced network coverage allows customers to download files approximately six times faster than customers of wireless service providers who do not use EV-DO technology.

Verizon Wireless also announced the USB720 wireless modem, boasting high-speed wireless broadband Internet access and the ability to connect to notebooks, desktops and handhelds via a standard USB interface.