The ultimate wireless broadband device delivers both 3G and 4G, revolutionizing mobile broadband and giving customers the best of both worlds
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2008--Sprint (NYSE: S) is about to make wireless history again by bringing the
mobile broadband future to its customers now. The 4G leader announced it
will make the first 3G/4G dual-mode device, which operates on both the
Sprint 3G and 4G networks, available in retail stores Dec. 21.
The Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300 delivers the power of the Now Network(TM),
the nation's largest and most dependable mobile broadband 3G network*,
while also harnessing the turbocharged speeds of WiMAX on the new Sprint
4G network. Sprint launched 4G in Baltimore in September and plans to
launch in other markets across the country throughout 2009. This
versatile device will enable customers to experience blazing fast
Internet access, greater productivity and enhanced multimedia quality
throughout 4G markets, and offer access to the dependable Sprint 3G
network virtually everywhere else. The 3G/4G USB modem represents
another major development in truly un-tethered broadband access.
"Sprint intends to be the leader in 4G and bring the wireless Internet
to life," said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. "This first-of-its-kind device
allows our customers to take the Internet with them essentially wherever
they go by gaining enhanced speed and capability in 4G markets and the
nationwide coverage of our 3G network across the rest of the country."
Sprint 4G represents a shift in the way people will use mobile
broadband. Businesses, consumers and governments will be able to extend
their Internet experience beyond home or office use. For the business
customer, a typical user experience might be the ability to participate
in a video conference from anywhere within the coverage area in a Sprint
4G city while sharing and retrieving large data files in just seconds.
For consumers, it might be the ability to download a song in several
seconds or a movie in significantly less than an hour while in the park
or moving through the city, three to five times faster than 3G networks.
The Sprint 3G/4G USB modem will access mobile multimedia applications at
average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps within Baltimore Sprint 4G service
areas. Where Sprint 4G service has yet to launch, the dual-mode device
will operate on the Nationwide Sprint Mobile Broadband 3G Network at
average downlink speeds of 600 Kbps - 1.4 Mbps.
The Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300, manufactured by Franklin Wireless, is a
sleek, easy-to-use data card which connects to a standard USB port. The
device is priced at $149.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement, after
a $50 mail-in-rebate. Beginning Dec. 21, customers can purchase the USB
data card via the Sprint direct business sales force, at most
Baltimore-area Sprint stores and at select Baltimore-area retailers.
Starting in January, the device will also be available in Baltimore-area
Best Buy stores. With the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem, customers living in
and traveling to Baltimore will be able to work even faster while
on-the-go. For $79.99 - just a $20 premium on any mobile broadband
connection plan - customers will have simple-to-use access to the best
possible mobile broadband connection: 3G or 4G. The Sprint Connection
Manager recognizes and connects to the fastest connection available. For
more information, visit www.sprint.com/4g
"The availability of this first dual-mode mobile broadband device
further demonstrates Sprint's leadership in 3G and 4G services," said
Todd Rowley, vice president of Sprint 4G. "Our future device portfolio
of single-mode 4G devices, embedded 4G laptops and dual- mode 3G/4G
devices will continue to demonstrate our commitment to WiMAX."
Sprint is the first and only national wireless carrier to offer
customers its 4G network and 3G network on one device. As 4G service
continues to roll out in other cities, Sprint customers with dual-mode
devices will be ready to take advantage of its super-fast speeds and
will ultimately experience new forms of interactive communications,
high- speed mobile Internet browsing, social-networking tools, local and
location-centric products and services and city-wide broadband access to
multimedia services including music, video, mobile TV and on-demand
products.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline
communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers,
businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for
developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including
two wireless networks serving nearly 51 million customers at the end of
the third quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant
national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier
1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.
About Franklin Wireless
Franklin Wireless Corp. (OTC BB:FKWL.OB - News) designs and markets
wireless broadband high speed data communication products such as 3rd
generation ("3G") and 4th generation ("4G") wireless broadband modules
and modems to end users and wireless companies in North and South
American countries. It markets its products through original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) and distributors, as well as directly to operators
and end users in North and South America. The company was founded in
1982 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. For more information
about Franklin Wireless, please visit www.franklinwireless.com.
For more information about the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem U300, visit www.sprint.com/4g
* Largest based on square miles (including roaming). Dependable based on
independent, third-party drive tests on 3G data connection success,
session reliability, and signal strength for the 50 most populous
markets from March through September 2008.
CONTACT: Sprint
Stephanie Vinge-Walsh, 310-213-0039
Stephanie.a.vinge@sprint.com
or
John Polivka, 972-405-7564
john.m.polivka@sprint.com
Source: Sprint