Sprint Brings the Power of the Wireless Internet to the Palm of Your Hand With The Introduction of the Sprint PCS Wireless Web - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, August 16, 1999

Sprint Wednesday announced a bold entry into the wireless data arena with the introduction of the Sprint PCS Wireless Web, a suite of simple, user-friendly wireless data products and services. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web will be available nationwide throughout the Sprint PCS network* in late September. Unlike recent announcements by other carriers, this is not a test or a partial data offering. It's complete, and it's ready now! The Sprint PCS Wireless Web represents a pivotal development in the company's effort to offer consumers and businesses a single clear and simple tool for all of their wireless voice and data communications needs. The Sprint PCS Wireless Web features three distinct offerings that will allow consumers and business users to access the information they need -- when they need it -- anywhere on the all-digital Sprint PCS nationwide wireless network:

SPRINT PCS WIRELESS WEB BROWSER:

Sprint PCS customers whose phones are equipped with a simplified Phone.com microbrowser designed especially for wireless phones will be able to connect to select Internet-based content "real time," whenever they want, using their Sprint PCS Phones to interactively browse special text-only versions of popular web sites. Sprint PCS has licensed the Phone.com UP.Link Server Suite, which enables the microbrowser functionality on Sprint PCS Phones. Via partnerships with industry-leading content providers of weather, news and travel, Sprint PCS customers will be able to stay in touch with important, personalized information while "on the go."

SPRINT PCS WIRELESS WEB UPDATES FROM YAHOO!:

This service allows customers to receive automatic updates straight from Yahoo! directly on their Sprint PCS Phones. The customized updates from Yahoo! include such topic areas as sports, weather reports, stock quotes, horoscopes and news headlines. Users simply set up a personalized page on the Yahoo! website (using any computer with Internet access), and select in advance what updates they want and what time(s) they want to receive the updates on their Sprint PCS Phones. This service operates as part of the Sprint PCS Short Messaging Service which is currently available to all Sprint PCS customers.

SPRINT PCS WIRELESS WEB CONNECTION:

Sprint PCS customers will be able to do virtually anything they do today while tethered to a wireline modem -- "on the go," and wirelessly. Sprint PCS Wireless Web Connection will allow users with laptops, palmtops or other personal digital assistants (PDAs) to connect to the nation's largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide wireless network. Designed with the mobile workforce in mind, connectivity is the latest offering within The Sprint PCS Clear Wireless Workplace -- a suite of simple, flexible wireless business solutions. Connection allows Sprint PCS customers to use their Sprint PCS Phones in place of a modem to connect to their important, personal information tools and corporate networking content, such as email, schedules, task lists, contacts/address books, order forms and key documents.

Unlike the complicated and expensive wireless data offerings of the past, pricing for the Sprint PCS Wireless Web will follow the same clear and simple value-oriented principles that Sprint PCS has brought to voice calling. Sprint PCS customers may add Sprint PCS Wireless Web services to their current price plans $29.99 and above for a flat rate of just $9.99 per month. Additionally, Sprint PCS will offer a range of Sprint PCS Wireless Web Options that include both voice and data minutes in a single bundle, enabling customers to mix and match their voice and data minutes as needed.

"We're sending the message loud and clear that Sprint PCS is Internet ready when you are," said Andrew Sukawaty, Sprint PCS president. "Several things separate the Sprint PCS Wireless Web from the competition. It's simple to use with easy to understand pricing. It's available nationwide on our all-digital, all-PCS network. And it works with all types of devices, including Sprint PCS phones, laptops, PDAs and smartphones. Our approach to wireless data is defined by the same clarity, nationwide coverage and value propositions that have made Sprint PCS the fastest growing wireless carrier in the United States for three consecutive quarters."

Sprint PCS Is First Carrier to Offer Much-Anticipated "Smartphone" Manufactured by NeoPoint, Inc.

Sukawaty added that one of the phones expected to have substantial consumer appeal with the launch of The Sprint PCS Wireless Web is the much-anticipated Sprint PCS NP1000 "Smartphone" manufactured by NeoPoint, Inc. Sprint PCS Wednesday announced that it will be the first U.S. wireless carrier to offer the Sprint PCS NP1000 -- a feature-rich, compact device that integrates a personal digital assistant (PDA) and wireless phone to offer advanced features like an Internet microbrowser, real-time email capabilities, contacts, personal scheduler, to-do list, wireless modem, voice-command dialing capabilities and crystal-clear voice calling. The Softsync Plus software (included) enables customers to synchronize information on the phone with a variety of desktop personal information managers, such as Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Organizer or ACT. Expected to be available in September, the Sprint PCS NP1000 will have a suggested retail price of $399.