Sprint Brings Even Faster Mobile Broadband Speeds to Albany

Users of the nation’s largest mobile broadband network now have the power of significantly faster upload speeds that are on par with some DSL services

Upgrade is part of Sprint’s overall $12 million local market investment in 2006.

Beginning today, Sprint (NYSE: S) customers in Albany join the more than 197 million people in 9,600 cities who can enjoy access to the upgraded Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, which provides users faster Evolution - Data Optimized Revision A (EV-DO Rev. A) data speeds and the ability to ultimately use richer applications and services such as high-speed video telephony, music-on-demand, video messaging and large file uploads.

The industry’s largest mobile broadband network allows customers in the Albany area to experience significantly faster average upload speeds of 350-500 Kbps (compared with 50-70 Kbps on current EV-DO networks) and average download speeds of 600 Kbps-1.4 Mbps (from 400-700 Kbps). The upgraded Sprint Mobile Broadband Network was awarded the coveted PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award selected by a panel of PC Magazine editors, and leading industry experts.

“Our mobile broadband customers can now take advantage of the largest mobile broadband network to send and receive information at speeds that rival basic DSL offerings without being tied to a desk,” said Karen Paletta, area vice president for Sprint. “This leading technology gives our customers the powerful combination of mobility and speed so they can manage their business and personal lives while on the go.”

The availability of EV-DO Rev. A will enhance the wireless service experience for customers who already take advantage of Sprint’s two powerful networks in Albany, the Sprint National Network and Nextel National Network. In 2006, Sprint invested nearly $12 million on network enhancements in Albany.

“Sprint continues to make significant investments to increase coverage and capacity in its wireless networks in Albany and throughout the country,” said Paletta. “Customer satisfaction and network quality are two of Sprint’s top priorities as we further strengthen our powerful networks where our customers live, work, play and travel.”

Local Market Coverage
EV-DO Rev. A coverage includes the airport and business district, from Albany through to Lake George. Following are just some of the detailed areas and communities where EV-DO Rev. A coverage is available:

* Greater Albany
* Schenectady
* Rotterdam
* Altamont
* Colonie
* Lake George
* Saratoga Springs
* Ballston Spa
* Troy
* Glens Falls
* Along Route 87

The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network is the nation’s largest mobile broadband network, reaching more than 207 million people nationwide in more than 11,000 cities and more than 1,000 airports. Sprint expects to upgrade the vast majority of its mobile broadband network to the faster EV-DO Rev. A technology by year-end, which will further drive Sprint’s wireless data leadership 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 as they become available.

Device Portfolio and GPS Leadership
Mobile professionals can use their laptops in more places and send and receive large data files using Sprint’s newest EV-DO Rev. A -capable USB modem – the Sierra Wireless Aircard 595U, which is available in all sales channels including retail. The device is priced as low as $79.99 with a two-year subscriber agreement and $50 mail-in rebate.

Sprint offers a variety of other EV-DO Rev. A-capable devices including three PCMCIA cards (Novatel S720, Sierra AC595 and Pantech PX-500); an Express Card (Novatel EX720) and two USB modems (Novatel U720 and Sierra AC595U). Sprint also offers a variety of laptops, handheld computers and modules embedded with these more robust capabilities.

Sprint customers using any of the current Novatel devices can perform location-based searches, including requesting navigational support, through an enhanced version of the Sprint Connection Manager software. This basic Sprint location and search usage is included as part of Sprint’s flexible data and unlimited data connection card plans. Current users can obtain the software by checking for updates using their Sprint Connection Manager, or it can be downloaded from www.sprint.com/downloads.

Greater Value for Customers
Customers signing a two-year Sprint subscriber agreement may be eligible to receive unlimited data usage for $59.99 per month (no separate voice plan required and no additional discounts apply.) Other individual service plans for all mobile broadband devices currently range from $39.99 per month for 40 MB to $79.99 per month for unlimited data usage with a one year subscriber agreement. Rates apply to all Sprint Mobile Broadband customers.

More Information
For local market coverage maps and more information on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, such as service plans and devices, visit www.sprint.com/mobilebroadband.