With early reviews of the CDMA Sprint Hero being generally positive, we were surprised to hear the Examiner reporting that a number of Sprint HTC Hero units were being shipped without the faster EVDO Rev. A speeds being enabled: If you have the HTC Hero on Sprint, chances are your phone is not operating on the EVDO REV A network (Sprint’s fastest) that it is promised to…Our HTC Hero, as well as that of many other users, shows EVDO REV. 0 (a slower network), despite the fact we are in a EVDO REV. A area. However, when we checked in with Sprint for comment, Sprint representatives were quick to acknowledge that the problem is a software glitch where the phone will display Rev. 0 speeds but will actually operate on Rev. A speeds.

The problem, being software related, can be fixed in a future software upgrade. Despite the fact that the Hero will operate on the faster Rev. A network, where available in your geographical area, the phone’s software will only show that it is on Rev. 0 speeds. Sprint is fast working on the problem:

We recently discovered that Sprint’s HTC Hero is showing a static message which reads CDMA – EV-DO Rev 0 in its status settings whether or not the device is on Rev A speeds. In most cases, the device is performing on Rev A speeds even if the message reads Rev 0. This message error is not impacting the performance of the device in any way and will be corrected with the next maintenance release. The handset is fully capable of EV-DO Rev. A data speeds and you will receive these speeds in Sprint’s extensive EV-DO Rev. A coverage areas where available.

For international audiences on GSM/HSPA networks, you can also check out our “chinned” Hero review.