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Sprint Extends Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access to Leading North American Hotels under Bilateral Roaming Agreement with STSN

[February 17, 2004]

Sprint Extends Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access to Leading North American Hotels under Bilateral Roaming Agreement with STSN

For today’s road warrior, leaving the office doesn’t have to mean leaving behind critical information normally accessed at the desktop. Sprint (NYSE: FON, PCS) and STSN have entered into a bilateral roaming agreement that will provide access for Sprint PCS Wi-Fi service subscribers in at least 500 hotel “hot spots” in the United States and Canada, allowing mobile laptop users to stay connected to corporate networks at peak speeds up to 100 times faster than standard dial-up.

Under the agreement, secure wireless connectivity will be extended to Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access service subscribers at more than 500 STSN iBAHNTM wireless-enabled hotels in North America and will allow STSN iBAHNTM Passport service subscribers to roam on Wi-Fi ZONESTM built and managed by Sprint.

This is the first bilateral roaming agreement between the two companies. Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access is a high-speed wireless data service that uses 802.11b technology to enable mobile professionals to replicate their desktop environments while traveling and access the Internet, email and corporate applications. STSN is a leading provider of secure broadband communications for corporate business travelers at hotels and conference centers worldwide.

Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access subscribers can now enjoy the convenience and productivity benefits of secure, high-speed data connections with STSN iBAHNTM access at major hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Customers will need a Wi-Fi Internet card or laptop embedded with Wi-Fi technology and a Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access account. New users can establish a Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access account at www.wifi.sprintpcs.com. Once a user has an account there are two ways to connect: Web-based log-in using one’s Internet browser, or by using PCS Connection ManagerSM Software with Wi-Fi, which enables customers to manage the service in hundreds of other Sprint compatible public Wi-Fi ZONES in a consistent and convenient manner by simply pressing “Go” once registered.

“Sprint is focused on providing public Wi-Fi services in locations such as airports, hotels and convention centers where customers need it most and can derive the greatest benefit,” said Wes Dittmer, director of WLAN services at Sprint. “In working with STSN to extend Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access to a number of prestigious hotels across North America, we are providing a simple and easy solution for business travelers and guests to wirelessly access important information and be productive while away from their office or home.”

“Enterprise-grade connectivity, coupled with a ubiquity of connections, has become a necessity and expectation for business travelers,” said Steve Harmsen, vice president of business development for STSN. “We are pleased to join with Sprint on an agreement that will deliver STSN’s unparalleled wireless security to Sprint customers at an ever-growing number of hot spots. The extension of STSN’s partner hotels to the Sprint network provides unmatched convenience, productivity and peace of mind to corporate business travelers.”

Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access is available in a growing number of Sprint compatible Wi-Fi ZONESTM nationwide. The agreement with STSN extends the number of hot spots available to business travelers. “Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access is a perfect complement to customers already using PCS VisionSM data services,” commented Phil Bowman, Sprint vice president of Integrated Solutions. “You have the best of both worlds whether you’re mobile and on the go or in one place for a longer period of time.”

Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access is priced at $9.95 per connection, per location for 24 hours of unlimited access. Now through 3/31/04 a $3.00 discount is available. For complete information, on-line tutorials, a list of compatible Wi-Fi locations and to download PCS Connection manager, visit http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness

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