Getting Ready For SprintPCS's New Service

There's a lot of attention in the wireless world this week in the general direction of SprintPCS as they prepare to launch their high speed data network - the first in the US that will be "nationwide". While everyone knows that SprintPCS is finally launching it this week, they've been incredibly quiet on any details about what it will entail, what devices they'll offer for it and (perhaps, most importantly) how much it will cost. The other wireless carriers are waiting to see what Sprint comes up with, and have even started offering some pre-emptive promotional deals to keep their own customers interested. The big question is whether customers will rush to sign up, or if Sprint is going to have to go all out on a crazy advertising campaign to convince each user to sign up for the new service. Update: Wireless Week is reporting that SprintPCS is launching their 3G service as early as this Thursday with ads in Sunday papers. The service will be called PCS Vision. SprintPCS will offer three color screen phones ranging from $180 to $300. Initial pricing will be $10 for 2MB of data for phone based applications. There is no indication yet of unlimited pricing or larger data buckets for PDAs and laptops. There is no link to an article yet, but we've posted the email alert below.===================================================================== Wireless Week Breaking News Alert Brought to you by Qualcomm August 6, 2002 ===================================================================== Sprint On the 1x Launching Pad The company itself is remaining mum, as it has for some time, but Sprint PCS appears poised to launch its much-anticipated, 1XRTT next-generation wireless service by this weekend. Leaks and rumors indicate that Sprint will announce its 1x launch plans possibly Thursday, with its service launch to occur in all of its markets by Aug. 11. Ric Prentiss, who covers Sprint PCS for the investment firm Raymond James Associates, says the 1X service will be marketed as PCS Vision with an emphasis on "clarity you can SEE and HEAR." He says an early look at Sprint's national ads for this coming Sunday's newspapers offer three color-screen phones, a $179.99 Sanyo model and two Samsung models, priced at $199.99 and $299.99. The ad gives a glimpse into pricing too, indicating that Sprint PCS Free and Clear plan subscribers will get three months of PCS Vision free with a one-year PCS Advantage contract. Pricing will include a $59.99 monthly plan for 500 anytime minutes, 4,500 night and weekend minutes and 2 mb for PCS Vision applications. Prentiss notes that accounting for the three free months, the pricing implies that the 2 mb of data will be $10 a month, which is ARPU that will be added to Sprint PCS's existing $50 for 500 minutes offering. "We think the nationwide launch of 1x will be good for Sprint PCS and the U.S. wireless industry," Prentiss said in a flash commentary today. "The associated ad blitz should drive new customers towards Sprint PCS and its affiliates even if the customers do not select the new PCS Vision service, but the three free months offer should get some takers. Sprint PCS spokesman Dan Wilinsky says the company is not commenting on the timing of the 1x launch, which it has said for some time would take place this summer. For more breaking news, visit: http://www.wirelessweek.com =============SPONSOR=============== The complete, open solution. An unlimited opportunity. QUALCOMM'S BREW (TM) solution revolutionizes wireless application development, distribution and payment. Start capitalizing on wireless. Visit us at http://email.wirelessweek.com/cgi-bin4/flo?y=eHX80C2j1v0B4I0BbIB0Al and put BREW to work for you. ==================================== =-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= UNSUBSCRIBE To unsubscribe: http://www.wirelessweek.com/optout.asp?rid=440745639&nid=2003 CHANGE YOUR PROFILE To change delivery options, email address or register for other newsletters: http://www.wirelessweek.com/logon QUESTIONS? If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact our Online Support Team: mailto:eletters@cahners.com Online Support Team Reed Business Information 275 Washington St, Newton, MA 02458 Fax: 847-390-2377 You are receiving this email because you have either requested a newsletter or a magazine from Reed Business Information. Privacy Policy: http://www.wirelessweek.com/privacy NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS To activate a new FREE email subscription, visit: http://www.wirelessweek.com/subscribe.asp To request your FREE magazine subscription to Wireless Week: http://www.reed4success.com/default.asp?magid=150&promocode=WBG07EN4 Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.