Definition: EV-DO

(EVolution-Data Optimized) A 3G digital service provided by CDMA cellular carriers worldwide such as Verizon and Sprint (now T-Mobile) in the U.S. EV-DO works on EV-DO cellphones as well as laptops and portable devices with EV-DO modems. Part of the CDMA2000 standards, EV-DO users have experienced data rates up to 800 Kbps typically with more latency than DSL and cable service. EV-DO is also known as "1xEV-DO."

Revisions 0, A and B
Revision 0 of EV-DO provided a data rate of 2.45 Mbps, which was increased to 3.1 Mbps with Revision A (TIA-856 Rev. A). In addition, Revision A is based entirely on the IP protocol.

Revision B (TIA-856 Rev. B) is the "multicarrier" version and supports two or three channels (2x, 3x), which can be combined to increase the data rate for video and other high-speed requirements. There have been several nomenclature variations; for example, 3-channel EV-DO Rev. B has been called "3XRTT," "MC-3X," and "IMT-CDMA MultiCarrier 3X." See CDMA, CDMA2000, WCDMA, LTE and cellular generations.

EV-DO Signal Strength

The "EV" is the EV-DO signal strength on this cellphone, which is only one bar at this moment. The "1X" signal, also one bar, is the standard CDMA voice and text messaging channel. As the phone travels, the strength of the two signals may differ.