CHICAGO-Regional wireless provider U.S. Cellular Corp. launched its nweb Internet browsing service providing customers with access to Web pages using their wireless handsets. The service, which was developed in conjunction with wireless software provider Novarra and uses U.S. Cellular’s CDMA2000 1x-based easyedge data network, allows users to surf anywhere on the Internet and link to a number of sites specifically designed for cell-phone screens.
U.S. Cellular also said the service includes a first-of-its-kind password protection, enabling parental control of Web sites intended for mature audiences.
“Unlike other mobile browsers designed for cell phones, nweb gives customers complete control over the content they choose to view and not be limited to Web sites selected by their wireless providers,” said Alan Ferber, vice president of marketing for U.S. Cellular.
The BREW-based nweb application can be purchased for $5 per month or $1.19 per day.
U.S. Cellular also announced plans to open a new customer call center in Bolingbrook, Ill., set to open in mid- 2005 and employ as many as 450 people within the first two years of operation. The carrier expects to receive $4 million in grants and tax credits to help open the center.
The carrier said the 100,000-square-foot facility, which initially will handle calls primarily from customers in greater Chicago and northern Indiana, will house call-center operations, and training and conference facilities with plans to begin hiring employees early next year. U.S. Cellular operates five call centers located in Medford, Ore.; Tulsa, Okla.; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Waukesha, Wis.; and Knoxville, Tenn.
