OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Following on the heels of other operators, Sprint PCS has unveiled guidelines for its customers who may want to take advantage of wireless local number portability, which is scheduled for Nov. 24.
Both Cingular Wireless LLC and Nextel Communications Inc. already have apprised their customers of their own guidelines. Sprint’s tips are fundamentally similar to the other carriers’ suggestions.
Among the six items, the guidelines include the possibility of buying new phones and paying termination fees.
“Yes, you can take your number with you,” noted Sprint. “But in all likelihood, your old phone won’t be compatible with your wireless provider,” said the carrier.
The carrier also cautioned customers to ask in advance about data rate plans, coverage and transmission speeds for data services of the carriers to which they are switching.
“Many carriers now offer a variety of exciting and useful data services, such as messaging, games, music, special ringers and screen savers, and the sending and sharing of photos,” said the operator.
Other tips include making consumers aware of the availability of bundled services, the need to test new phones for efficiency, possible delays in transfers to the new phone service from the old carrier, the fact that not all numbers can be transferred in all markets and by all providers, and the importance of conveying all a customer’s information to the new carrier before the transfer.
If a customer is not satisfied with the new phone, “you should return your phone during the trial period and get your money back,” said Sprint. The carrier assured its customers that it will inform them of the transfer process and check the status of their ports by dialing.
The carrier also made some announcements for the enterprise world with USA Technologies, Coleman Technologies and Itronix.
In its deal with USA Technologies, the carrier’s customers can wirelessly process credit card and cashless payments on its enhanced PCS Network.
“Utilizing a certified embedded CDMA module within a network of machines, the solution will make wireless credit card payment technology and networking of distributed assets available to a variety of industries, including vending, entertainment, hospitality, commercial laundry and digital imaging,” said Sprint.
With Coleman, the carrier will offer bundled solutions that combine location technologies, wireless communications, logistics-related software and Internet access.
With Itronix, Sprint agreed to co-market Itronix products like CDMA, 1xRTT rugged laptops, a tablet PC and handheld devices.
Sprint also has added new features and enhancements to its PCS Business Connection to facilitate wireless access to corporate and personal e-mail.
