DENVER-Sprint PCS service was launched in Denver today, offering half-price monthly service charges for a year.
The calling plan means a customer can sign up for the personal communications service for as low as $11.50 a month. Sprint-branded 1900 MHz phones are expected to sell for $200 and are available in numerous retail stores, as well as the three Sprint PCS stores open in Denver.
In addition, if the customer has, or gets, Sprint long-distance service at home, they qualify for a $30 credit on their first Sprint PCS bill, and another $30 PCS credit six months later, if they continue to use Sprint long distance at home.
In Denver, Sprint has launched Phase I of its plans, using Code Division Multiple Access technology. Coverage includes the Denver greater metropolitan area and Boulder, which is a 30-minute drive northwest of Denver. Parts of six counties are included, however the new Denver International Airport will not be covered at launch.
Denver is the western regional headquarters for Sprint Spectrum L.P.’s operations unit. Denver also is a strong outdoor mobile market, with a penetration rate higher than the national average, Sprint said.
Because the city of Denver is in a valley east of the Rocky Mountains, no particular topographical network problems were encountered, Sprint said.
The challenge will come when Sprint PCS extends coverage west, into the Rockies, to reach the mountain communities, the company said.
This is the 19th city in which Sprint has launched personal communications services. It aims to roll out Sprint PCS service in 65 markets by year end. The limited partnership holds PCS licenses nearly covering the entire nation.
