Sprint PCS’s awaited introduction of nationwide commercial Internet-access services will begin in late September, announced the company.
Targeting business users and a wide range of consumer customers that are heavy Internet and e-mail users, Sprint PCS will hit the market with Sprint PCS Wireless Web, which features three offerings.
The Sprint PCS Wireless Web Browser will allow customers whose wireless phones are equipped with a simplified Phone.com microbrowser to connect to select Internet-based content.
Sprint PCS Wireless Web will allow customers to receive automatic news updates from Yahoo! on their Sprint PCS handsets, while Sprint PCS service connection provides a wireless modem for customers who want to use their laptops, palmtops or other personal digital assistants to connect to the Sprint PCS network.
Sprint PCS customers who have signed up for plans $30 or more can add Sprint PCS Wireless Web services for a flat rate of $10 per month. Additionally, the company will offer a range of Sprint PCS Wireless Web options that include both voice and data minutes in a single bundle, enabling customers to mix and match their voice and data minutes as needed.
Sprint PCS announced exclusive nationwide availability of the dual-band Touchpoint phone manufactured by Denso Wireless. The phone with microbrowser will allow access to the Internet. Sprint PCS also signed an agreement valued at up to $90 million with NeoPoint Inc. for the NeoPoint 1000 smart phone, expected to become available nationwide next month.
Most Sprint PCS phones launched in 1999 and beyond will feature microbrowser and mobile connectivity capabilities out of the box. Customers can upgrade older Sprint PCS handsets with a software upgrade and a Wireless Web connection kit. Later this year, the carriers will offer new smart phones, such as Qualcomm Inc.’s new Internet-capable pdQ handset.
CDMA operators Vodafone AirTouch plc and GTE Wireless announced plans to launch wireless modem Internet access late last month. AirTouch is charging the same rates for data and voice airtime in its Michigan, Salt Lake City and Seattle markets. GTE plans to introduce the service this fall in several markets.
CDMA operator U S West Wireless will introduce Internet access via a wireless handset later this year, while Nextel Communications Inc. will test Internet access via handsets in six Eastern markets during the fourth quarter.
