Sprint to try hand at 3G netbooks; launch trial in 5 markets

Sprint is preparing to launch a trial program to sell 3G netbooks through its stores in five U.S. markets, according to a report.

A reliable tipster tells TechVi that the program will launch Nov. 1 in San Francisco, Baltimore, Phoenix, Minneapolis and Indianapolis. As Randall Bennett points out, only Baltimore has WiMax 4G, so don't get your hopes up too much.

Back in July, Sprint teamed up with Best Buy to offer a $0.99 netbook promotion. Perhaps the success of that pilot paved the way for a more broad -- and thus lucrative -- endeavor that cuts out the middleman.