No, the old 3G is NOT the same as the new (3g)EV-DO. The old 3G uses 1xrtt, EV-DO uses newer, faster technology that isn't available everywhere yet but will promise some serious speeds when it's completely rolled out.

My phone doesn't even support EV-DO and I access the internet via my verizon cellphone all the time. My bill never goes up, nor my friends whom use it as well.

http://www.poremsky.com/p/verizonwireless.htm