Sprint Launches Nation’s First EV-DO Revision A Mobile Broadband Network
--Upgraded network will provide users in San Diego with significantly faster upload speeds and a more robust experience than other mobile data networks
--20 additional markets to launch during 2006
--Revision A-capable device portfolio will expand in November with Sprint Mobile Broadband USB Modem
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — 10/24/2006 - Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced that it has upgraded the Sprint Power Vision Network(SM), the nation’s largest wireless broadband network covering more than 164 million people, with the faster EV-DO Revision A technology in the San Diego market – making it the first market in the country to have the technology commercially available. With the upgraded mobile broadband network, customers in San Diego will ultimately be able to utilize richer applications and services such as high-speed video telephony, music on demand, video messaging and large file uploads.
San Diego is the first of 21 markets where Sprint will roll out EV-DO Revision A this year with coverage expected to reach more than 40 million people. Sprint Power Vision users in these markets should experience significantly faster average upload speeds of 300-400 kbps (compared with 50-70 kbps of current EV-DO networks). Average download speeds should also increase to 450–800 kbps from 400-700 kbps. By 3Q 2007, Sprint’s Power Vision network is expected to be completely upgraded to the faster EV-DO Revision A.
The other markets scheduled to launch this year are:
Baltimore
Boston
Buffalo, N.Y.
Denver
Detroit
Hartford, Conn.
Kansas City, Mo.
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Milwaukee
New York City
Newark/Trenton, N.J.
Philadelphia
Pittsburgh
Providence, R.I.
Sacramento, Calif
Salt Lake City
San Francisco
Seattle
Washington, D.C.
"Sprint’s mobile broadband leadership is unmatched. Not only do we have the largest mobile broadband network, but with the upgraded EV-DO Revision A technology Sprint Power Vision will also be the fastest wireless broadband network in the country" said Kathy Walker, chief network officer for Sprint. "The power of Sprint’s networks, especially with this EV-DO Revision A upgrade, allows Sprint to deliver a mobile broadband experience to our customers that no other carrier can provide"
The upgrade to EV-DO Revision A is expected to further drive Sprint’s industry-leading wireless data average revenue per user as customers will be able to use the upgraded network to utilize applications such as all IP video telephony, high-performance push-to-talk (walkie-talkie service), multi-user video conferencing, real-time gaming and video streaming of both content and live web cams simultaneously as they become available.
EV-DO Revision A coverage in most markets will initially be concentrated in airports and business districts where wireless data demand is highest and will expand to include Sprint’s entire market footprint. Overall, Sprint plans to reach more than 200 million people in the U.S. with mobile broadband data services (including both EV-DO Revisions 0 and A) in 220 major metropolitan areas across the country with its Power Vision network by the end of 2006.
Sprint Mobile Broadband Cards
As Sprint continues to launch EV-DO Revision A service in markets across the country, it is also expanding its Revision A-capable device portfolio. In early November, Sprint will make its first mobile broadband USB modem available – the Sprint Mobile Broadband USB Modem by Novatel Wireless Ovation U720. This device plugs into the USB port of any compatible laptop and will allow customers to connect to the Sprint Power Vision Network and wirelessly access audio, video and data applications. The Novatel Wireless sells for a suggested retail price of $249.99 or is available for as low as $49.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and mail-in-rebate.
The Novatel Wireless U720 joins three previously announced EV-DO Revision A-compatible connection cards: the Pantech PX-500, Sierra Wireless Aircard®595 and the Novatel Wireless S720. Designed for operation with compatible laptops with Type II PCMCIA slots and the Linksys Wireless G-Router for Mobile Broadband, these three devices are available through all Sprint indirect and business sales channels and online at www.sprint.com. Additionally, the Novatel Wireless U720 and the Pantech PX-500 are available in Sprint retail stores.
All of these devices will also work on the Sprint Power Vision Network where the EV-DO Revision A upgrade is not yet available. Service plans for all cards currently range from $39.99 per month for 40 MB to $79.99 per month for unlimited data usage. Customers signing a two-year Sprint subscriber agreement may also be eligible to receive unlimited data usage for $59.99 per month (no separate voice plan required).
Additional information on Sprint’s Mobile Broadband network, including coverage maps showing current and future coverage, Mobile Broadband service plans, and the latest access devices, can be found at http://powervision.sprint.com/mobilebroadband/. Customers who have already purchased EV-DO Revision A-compatible devices may want to go to http://sprint.com/downloads to download the software update to ensure their devices are functioning on Revision A where it is available.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of communications services bringing mobility to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering 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.
This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. The statements in this news release regarding the business outlook, expected performance, as well as other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words "estimate" "project" "forecast" "intend" "expect" "believe" "target" "providing guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are estimates and projections reflecting management’s judgment based on currently available information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. With respect to these forward-looking statements, management has made assumptions regarding, among other things, customer and network usage, customer growth and retention, pricing, operating costs, the timing of various events and the economic environment.
Future performance cannot be ensured. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:
* the uncertainties related to the benefits of the Sprint-Nextel merger, including anticipated synergies and cost savings and the timing thereof;
* the uncertainties related to and the impact of the contemplated spin-off of Sprint Nextel’s local communications operations;
* the effects of vigorous competition and the overall demand for Sprint Nextel’s service offerings in the markets in which Sprint Nextel operates and the impact of new, emerging and competing services technologies on its business;
* the costs and business risks associated with providing new services and entering new markets;
* the impact of any adverse change in the ratings afforded Sprint Nextel’s debt securities by ratings agencies;
* the ability of Sprint Nextel’s Wireless segment to continue to grow and improve profitability;
* the ability of Sprint Nextel’s Local and Long Distance segments to achieve expected revenues;
* the effects of mergers and consolidations in the communications industry and unexpected announcements or developments from others in the telecommunications industry;
* the uncertainties related to Sprint Nextel’s investments in networks, systems, and other businesses;
* the uncertainties related to the implementation of Sprint Nextel’s business strategies,
* unexpected results of litigation pending or filed against Sprint Nextel;
* a no significant adverse change in Motorola, Inc.’s ability or willingness to provide handsets and related equipment and software applications or to develop new technologies or features for Sprint Nextel’s iDEN network;
* the network performance, including any performance issues resulting from the reconfiguration of the 800 Megahertz band of the iDEN network that is contemplated by the Federal Communications Commission’s Report and Order, released in August 2004 and supplemented thereafter;
* the costs of compliance with regulatory mandates, particularly requirements related to the Federal Communications Commission’s Report and Order and deployment of enhanced 911 services on the iDEN network;
* equipment failure, natural disasters, terrorist acts, or other breaches of network or information technology security;
* inability of third parties to perform to Sprint Nextel’s requirements under agreements related to Sprint Nextel’s business operations;
* one or more of the markets in which Sprint Nextel competes being impacted by changes in political or other factors such as monetary policy, legal and regulatory changes or other external factors over which Sprint Nextel has no control; and
* other risks referenced from time to time in Sprint Nextel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as amended, and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the subsequent quarterly periods.
Sprint Nextel believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. Sprint Nextel is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this release. Sprint Nextel provides a detailed discussion of risk factors in periodic SEC filings, including its 2004 Form 10-K as amended, and will provide a similar discussion in its 2005 Form 10-K that is expected to be filed in March 2006. You are encouraged to review these filings.
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