NEW ORLEANS-Cingular Wireless L.L.C. said its wide area- and local area-based wireless data networks now cover more than 250 million potential customers with EDGE technology and nearly 4,000 Wi-Fi hot spot locations. In support of the expanded data coverage, Cingular said it now offers a national unlimited EDGE/Wi-Fi data plan covering both networks for $100 per month.
“Our customers can now have the best of both worlds, whether they’re in a hot spot or not,” said Abhi Ingle, executive director of Cingular’s Business Markets Group. “We’re giving customers a single solution for high-speed data access without having to search out specific locations.”
Cingular noted its recently expanded EDGE service now covers more than 250 million potential customers through roaming agreements and that the technology is available in 13,000 cities and towns and along nearly 40,000 miles of highways. The carrier’s Wi-Fi footprint includes several airport locations across the country, as well as roaming agreements with parent company SBC Communications Inc., Wayport Inc., Concourse Communications and StayOnline.
T-Mobile USA Inc. offers a similar wide area- and local area-offering for customers combining its HotSpot Wi-Fi locations and GPRS network for $30 per month with a one-year contract.