Laptop Magazine gives Sprint's new XOHM mobile WiMax network in Baltimore a test run using a Nokia N810 WiMAX tablet. The reviewer put XOHM head to head with Verizon EVDO service, and not too surprisingly, XOHM came out on top across the board. That includes price, with unlimited mobile XOHM costing $35 (after six months it's $45) and EVDO costing $39.99 (50MB cap) or $59.99 (5GB cap). The review cites expected coverage issues, but found speeds to be as promised (2-4Mbps downstream 1-2Mbps up), with setup a fairly simple process.

"So far we love XOHM," says the reviewer. "The file transfer speeds are far superior to 3G, and we are big fans of the option to subscribe for just a day, or share it across multiple devices." For now it comes down to coverage, particularly if XOHM wants to light a competitive fire under Verizon and AT&T's digital derrieres.

The XOHM Chicago and Washington DC markets should go live shortly, with Boston, Philadelphia and Dallas/Ft. Worth on deck. Once the Clearwire/XOHM merger gains regulatory approval, the company expects to offer the service to an estimated 140 million people by the end of 2010. Sprint executives have stated they'll spend an upfront $2.5 billion to build up the network, and an additional $2.5 billion closer to that 2010 deployment target.