AT&T Wireless Services Inc. said it will begin offering a bundled device and services package allowing business customers to use Bluetooth-enabled Hewlett-Packard iPAQ Pocket PC devices and Nokia Corp.’s 6820 handset to access the carrier’s EDGE network.
The carrier said that customers who already own a Bluetooth-enabled iPAQ device can receive the Nokia 6820 handset and HP Bluetooth connectivity software for as little as $75 when they sign up for $50 wireless data service plan and a calling plan beginning at $40 per month. Customers that need both devices can receive one of three bundled offerings beginning at $375 with the iPAQ h4150.
AWS’ current data service rate plans include both tiered and unlimited usage plans including a $50 per month option for unlimited usage on a PDA device or $80 per month for unlimited usage from either a laptop computer or PDA. AWS notes that the $50 plan is not for tethering applications and that customers that use more than 100 megabytes of data transmission in two consecutive months can be moved to the $80 plan.
“Considering that the list price of a new iPAQ can be $400 or more, our enterprise customers can actually receive this entire bundled solution for less than the cost of an iPAQ itself in some cases,” said Abhi Ingle, vice president of business data solutions at AWS. “In addition, business customers who already own iPAQ’s can take advantage of other special discounts on the Nokia 6820 that enable them to fully leverage their investment.”
In addition to the bundled offering, AWS announced that a pair of HP-branded rugged personal computers have completed network compatibility testing using the carrier’s EDGE network and, according to AWS, are the first EDGE-enabled, field-service solutions available in the United States. The devices include the HP nr3600 PC and Tablet PC tr3000 using Dexterra Inc.’s Field Service application for industries such as telecom, utilities, healthcare, manufacturing and transportation.
AWS claims its EDGE network covers 220 million potential customers in 7,500 cities and towns and is available along 30,000 miles of interstate highways. The network’s coverage is expected to further expand following AWS’ pending acquisition by Cingular Wireless L.L.C., which said it plans to have EDGE capabilities across most of its markets by the end of this year.
AWS also announced an agreement with Novatel Wireless Inc. to offer Novatel’s Freedom Box 200G wireless ruggedized modem through the middle of next year. The wireless data product was launched earlier this year and is bundled with AWS’ GPRS wireless data service and offered to telemetry customers and other integrators looking to migrate from AWS’ CDPD network that is scheduled to be phased out. Novatel noted the devices provide real-time, two-way communications between corporate networks and remote assets at speeds up to 53.6 kilobits per second.
