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Sprint Certifies New GPS-Based School Bus Tracking Technology


WEBWIRE

New technology offers additional peace of mind to schools officials and parents; provides real-time monitoring of school buses with data delivery every 10 seconds

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., and CONCORD, Mass. — 01/11/2007 - Safety of students aboard the school buses is a major concern for school administrators and parents. In a continued effort to offer differentiated safety and management solutions to schools, Sprint (NYSE: S) announced the availability of iX-3, the next generation of GPS-based school bus tracking technology. The iX-3 system is designed by Everyday Wireless, a Sprint partner, and is certified to operate on the Nextel National Network, one of the largest all-digital wireless networks in the U.S., covering more than 264 million people. This state-of-the-art technology uses the latest Motorola io270 module and allows the iX-3 to deliver packet data and Walkie-Talkie service.

“The development of the iX-3, as with all of our product development efforts, was driven directly by input from the pupil transportation managers,” says Dave Pettine, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Everyday Wireless. “Our partnership with Sprint differentiates our products in the marketplace by providing school districts with additional options that meet their operational, communication and budgetary requirements. Once again, we delivered a solution tailored to the pupil transportation industry.”

The iX-3 system also features optional rider attendance and voice technology. These features help school authorities to know exactly when and where the students get on and off the bus and also have the ability to respond to a parent’s call with accurate, timely information. In addition, alerts can be sent automatically in case a student gets off at the wrong stop. This system was designed with route efficiency in mind and is the only rider attendance solution that does not delay the boarding and disembarking process. In addition, the system offers the ability to automate cumbersome ridership reports that school districts are required to file for state and federal funding.

“The Everyday Wireless system has significantly reduced the number of complaints that we received from schools and parents,” says Bill Bair, director of transportation, Colorado Springs School District. “This technology has eliminated the need to make return phone calls to parents since now we have the ability to address their issues immediately by looking at up-to-date data.”

The iX-3 compliments Everyday Wireless’ industry-leading portfolio of school bus tracking products. With data delivery every 10 seconds, this product offers transportation directors unprecedented visibility of their fleet operations. In addition to updates, the iX-3’s features include nationwide coverage and integrated voice communications such as integration with Nextel Walkie-Talkie, direct dispatch, 2-way text messaging and live audio monitoring and recording.

“The combination of the robust Nextel National Network and Everyday Wireless’ patented GPS school bus tracking system represents a quantum leap in technology for the pupil transportation industry,” says Craig Carroll, national director of education sales for Sprint. “The iX-3 provides school transportation managers with the tools and information they need to more efficiently manage their fleet operations”.

Beginning with in-vehicle solutions and then introducing the first GPS-enabled phone in 2001, Sprint created the largest portfolio of wireless mobility solutions for enterprise and general business, and today, it is the number one provider of GPS wireless solutions. In addition, Sprint offers a wide range of GPS tracking solutions from basic bus location tracking to robust, integrated fleet management and student tracking applications that provide school districts with the ability to monitor buses, keep their students safer and quickly respond to parents’ inquiries. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/business.

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 robust wireless networks serving more than 51 million customers at the end of third quarter 2006; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

About Everyday Wireless
Everyday Wireless is a privately held company recognized as the leading provider of GPS-based school bus and student track solutions to the pupil transportation industry. Headquartered in historic Concord, MA, Everyday Wireless designs, manufactures, markets, sells and supports all of its own equipment. The company was founded in June of 2000 with a very specific mission to meet the needs of pupil transportation. This mission has served the company well and remains the company’s focus as it continues to introduce and implement innovative technologies that specifically meet and exceed its customer’s expectations. For more information, visit www.everydaywireless.com.



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