Aerial Communications Inc. launched its first U.S. personal communications services network in Columbus, Ohio.
The company’s Global System for Mobile communications service is available through company-owned retail stores as well as several national retailers, including Best Buy, Office Max, Radio Shack, Circuit City and Office Depot, said Aerial.
Service prices initially will be an average of 8 percent to 12 percent lower than cellular, and customers will sign no contracts, said the company. Features include voice mail, caller ID, numeric paging, detailed billing, per-second billing and free first minute of an incoming call and are figured into the cost of service. Nokia Corp. provided the infrastructure and handsets.
Customers work with an Aerial Service Advisor to choose the calling plan and features that best fit their budget and lifestyle, said the company. Aerial also will provide periodic check-ups every three months with customers.
Brightpoint Inc. also announced it has entered into a contract with Aerial to supply subscriber product packaging and assembly as well as inventory management and fulfillment services.
In the coming months, Aerial plans to launch service in five other U.S. markets, including Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Pittsburgh and Tampa/St. Petersburg/Orlando, Fla.
