US mobile operator Verizon Wireless said Thursday that it has started upgrading its 3G network to cdma2000 1x EV-DO Revision A.

The network upgrade will launch initially in parts of Massachusetts, Virginia, Chicago, Indiana, Utah and Florida.

Verizon claims that customers in those areas will receive data uplink speeds significantly faster than the company’s existing national EV-DO network.

The operator anticipates that its flagship wireless data service, BroadbandAccess, will run faster and more efficiently with the network enhancements.

BroadbandAccess customers on the Rev. A network can expect average download speeds of 450-800Kbps and average upload speeds of 300-400Kbps.

To support the network upgrade, Verizon also announced a compact USB720 wireless modem to join the AirCard 595 PC Card for connectivity to the upgraded network.