Growing Number of Consumers and Businesses Demanding Walkie-Talkie Style
Services Now Have More Choices, Nationwide Voice and Data Services, and
Opportunities to Save With Sprint
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sprint (NYSE: FON)
announced an aggressive move to build momentum for Sprint PCS Ready Link with
an expanded line-up of feature-rich devices and new, more affordable pricing
for the nationwide walkie-talkie service. After introducing Sprint PCS Ready
Link in November 2003, early sales results show that a growing number of
consumers as well as business customers are using Sprint PCS Ready Link to
communicate one-on-one or in small groups with family, friends, clients,
suppliers and co-workers. Today, more than 275,000 Sprint customers are using
the service via the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, which covers more
than 245 million people.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )
"In addition to business customers, Sprint is seeing significant adoption
of Sprint PCS Ready Link among teens and families," said John Garcia, senior
vice president of sales and distribution for Sprint Consumer Solutions.
"Sprint's broad selection of feature-rich devices and simple, flat-rate
pricing appeal to customers who want to make their lives easier by quickly
connecting with family, friends and co-workers. Our customers can also enjoy
a growing number of advanced wireless data services via the enhanced Sprint
Nationwide PCS Network, whether it's for fun or productivity."
This week, Sprint introduced its latest Ready Link-capable phone, the
Sprint PCS Vision(SM) Ready Link Phone RL-4920 by Sanyo(R). Dubbed "The Power
Bar" for its high-capacity battery power, the RL-4920 by Sanyo boasts an
unprecedented 5.5 hours of continuous talk time. The candy-bar style phone is
noticeably sleeker and lighter than previous models. It is available for
$69.99 after rebates (SRP: $219.99) at Sprint Stores nationwide.
Known for its innovative selection of devices, Sprint offers several
options to satisfy the diverse needs of consumers and business customers who
want to use Sprint PCS Ready Link. This includes the full-featured Sprint PCS
Vision Video Phone VM4500 by Sanyo, a clamshell phone available in navy blue
or silver and gray two-tone, which not only supports Sprint PCS Ready Link and
Sprint PCS Vision services, but has a built-in camera and camcorder; Sprint
PCS Ready Link customers with an inner shutterbug may also like the Sprint PCS
Vision Picture Phone PM-8200 by Sanyo, an updated version of the Sprint PCS
Vision Picture Phone (Sanyo 8100), one of the top-selling devices in Sprint
history because of its sleek design, easy-to-use Picture Mail(SM) capabilities
and affordable price. The PM-8200 by Sanyo was also enhanced with improved
image resolution, speakerphone and built-in flash, as well as color options in
silver, blue and red.
Sprint PCS Ready Link allows Sprint customer Scott Bradach of Madison,
Wis., to keep in contact with a good friend who works out of town. "Sprint
PCS Ready Link is one of the best features that Sprint has added to their
phones and network. It's a quick, easy and economical way to communicate and
it's great when traveling."
Realizing that business customers have unique needs, Sprint offers two
rugged devices, the Sprint PCS Vision Ready Link Phone RL2000 by Sanyo and the
Sprint PCS Vision Ready Link Phone RL-7300 by Sanyo, both designed for a wide
range of outdoor and industrial uses. The RL2000 by Sanyo is a candy-bar style
phone with speakerphone made out of the same material as NFL football helmets
with a rubber grip. The RL-7300 by Sanyo is a durable, clamshell-style phone
featuring a high-quality speakerphone for convenient, hands-free operation,
making it perfect for today's "work hard/play hard" lifestyle.
"The need for quick communication among individuals and groups of
employees exists in many business settings, making Sprint PCS Ready Link ideal
for small, medium and large businesses in just about any industry," said Vicki
Warker, vice president of marketing, Sprint Business Solutions. "With
nationwide coverage, innovative handsets and value-added pricing, more and
more business customers are utilizing Sprint PCS Ready Link as an affordable
and effective way to access co-workers and clients."
Gristede's Foods employees of all levels, including executives,
maintenance workers and delivery drivers are using Sprint PCS Ready Link as a
quick and convenient way to get updates in order to make more informed
decisions about daily operations. "Our operations and XpressGrocer.com online
grocery delivery divisions have benefited greatly from Sprint PCS Ready Link.
It allows them to get minute-by-minute updates on the status of deliveries and
other time-sensitive processes, which in turn enhances customer satisfaction
and increases our productivity," said Michael Criscuolo, Director of Marketing
for Gristede's Foods Inc., a large-scale supermarket chain in New York City.
Sprint has also enhanced the price structure of Sprint PCS Ready Link so
that it is more closely integrated with Sprint PCS Vision services. Customers
can add Sprint PCS Ready Link to their service plan for a $10 monthly
recurring cost, or they can select Sprint PCS Ready Link and a Sprint PCS
Vision Pack for a $20 monthly recurring cost. As part of a promotional offer,
customers can receive Sprint PCS Ready Link and Sprint PCS Vision free for two
months.
In addition to the previously mentioned pricing offers, Sprint is offering
special service plans to business customers ranging from $36 to $67 a month
that include unlimited two-way calls, up to 1,000 anytime voice minutes, and
unlimited night and weekend minutes. A special $200 per month plan is also
available, providing business customers with unlimited two-way calls,
unlimited voice minutes and the option to add any Sprint PCS Vision Pack for
no additional charge. More details and availability of special business offers
are available at
http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/products_services/voice/readylink/plans.html
.
With Sprint PCS Ready Link, customers can make an unlimited number of
quick "get in, get out" type calls with individuals or groups of up to five
with the simple push of a button for a flat monthly fee anywhere on the
enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. Sprint customers can also make
regular voice calls anywhere on the Sprint network and when off the Sprint
network, customers can make regular voice calls in areas where Sprint has
analog roaming agreements.
Sprint PCS Ready Link customers who choose Sprint PCS Vision, can take and
receive pictures from select Sprint PCS Phones; browse the Internet at speeds
faster than many dial-up connections; check personal and corporate email;
watch clips and stream audio for news and music; download polyphonic ringers,
animated and voice ringers, and full-color, graphically rich games and screen
savers, all on the Sprint Network.
For more information or to sign up for Sprint services, customers can go
to Sprint Stores, contact their Sprint business-sales representative, call
business telesales toll-free at 1-877-459-8166 or go to http://www.sprintpcs.com .
About Sprint
Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26
million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 65,000 employees
worldwide and over $26 billion in annual revenues in 2003, Sprint is widely
recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network
technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital,
fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint
provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of
Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless
network in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com .
SOURCE Sprint
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Related links:
http://www.sprint.com
http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/products_services/voice/readylink/plans.html
http://www.sprintpcs.com
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840
CONTACT:
Jenny Stevens of Sprint Consumer Solutions,
+1-212-450-9516, jennifer.l.stevens@mail.sprint.com , or Amy
Schiska of Sprint Business Solutions, +1-913-794-2947,
amy.k.schiska@mail.sprint.com
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