I don't know what the situation is like in California where this test is
to be held, but I just my own test and will be posting a full write-up soon.

But, I'll give my summary results for the NY/NJ area.

I tethered a Verizon BB7130e, and a Sprint Samsung MM-A900 to a laptop
in an area with full signal (maximum bars showing on each device), using
each carrier's respective connection software.  I then conducted three
speed tests each using dslreports.com's Mobile speed test
(http://www.dslreports.com/mspeed), dslreports' full Java speed test
(http://www.dslreports.com/stest, I used the nac.net test as it was the
closest to my location).

The tests were conducted between 5:00 and 5:10 p.m. on April 27, 2006.
All tests were done using a USB connection from the laptop to the
wireless phone.  I refrained from using Bluetooth for this test because
1. the Blackberry 7130E doesn't support Blueooth DUN, and 2. earlier
tests I've done with Bluetooth show that you cannot reach EVDO's full
speed potential with it.

The laptop used was an IBM ThinkPad T42, running Windows XP.  It was
disconnected from all other network connections during each test, and
the the built in WiFi was turned off.

The Mobile speed test results were:
(the mobile test only tests download throughout)

Test #     Verizon               Sprint
-----------------------------------------
1.         354 kb/s              679 kb/s
2.         594 kb/s              422 kb/s
3.         574 kb/s              564 kb/s
------------------------------------------
AVERAGE:   507.33333 kb/s        555 kb/s

The full JAVA test results were:
(listed as downlink/uplink speeds)

Test #     Verizon               Sprint
---------------------------------------------
1.         612/126 kb/s         679/163 kb/s
2.         188/98  kb/s         393/126 kb/s
3.         442/175 kb/s         592/119 kb/s
---------------------------------------------
AVERAGE:   414/133 kb/s         554.6667/136 kb/s

Looking at the raw numbers the speeds seem relatively close, but the
overall averages show Sprint seems to have a sigificant edge in download
speed.  Uplink speeds seem about equal.

Also, I tried to do a raw download speed test with Verizon and Sprint,
downloading a 64MB binary executable file using an ftp site with known
good bandwidth.

For Sprint, the transfer started out at about 390kbps, but then steadily
climbed over 15 seconds to a peak speed of 748kbps and stayed there,
occasionally bursting to 771kbps.  Impressive! I can easily seem myself
not even bothering with WiFi connections in favor of this, unless of
course the WiFi was free to use, and not already crowded with other
traffic.  This just about matches a bare-bones, budget-priced 768kbps
DSL connection.

Unfortunately, I could NOT test Verizon's BroadbandAccess using this
method.  It appears Verizon's service blocks active ftp transfers.  I
could not get passive mode working either, alas.  However, I'm not
surprised, considering Verizon Wireless' stance on tethered EVDO (even
when paying full price for it), which states:

"Unlimited NationalAccess/BroadbandAccess services cannot be used (1)
for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games, (2)
with server devices or with host computer applications, including, but
not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds,
Voice over IP (VoIP), automated machine-to-machine connections, or
peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, or (3) as a substitute or backup for
private lines or dedicated data connections. "

To me, I can see this as a huge negative.

So I guess from a purely technical perspective, Sprint wins my version
of the shootout.

Sprint wins on price too: for a limited time, Sprint is offering the
unlimited "Phone As Modem" add-on for $39.99 a month with a voice plan
(some of which start as low as $29.99). With just the basics, you're
paying $69.98 plus taxes and fees on Sprint.  With Verizon, the
unlimited tethering plan is $59.99 with a voice plan, the lowest of
which is offered at $39.99.  Total cost for just the basics with
Verizon: $99.98

Verizon DOES win on customer service though.  My BroadbandAccess setup
was established on Verizon in mere minutes and was handled correctly and
thoroughly on the very first call.  With Sprint I had enormous problems
wading through the mess they call customer service, and my EVDO service
was incorrectly provisioned and stayed that way for almost three days
before someone was able to figure out what the problem was and get it
corrected.

So I guess my brief evaluation wasn't so brief. ;)  But, those are my
results.  Interpret the numbers as you see fit.