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Sprint Premieres High-Speed Entertainment and Information Services via Sprint Power Vision(SM) NetworkOVERLAND PARK, Kan. --(Business Wire)-- Oct. 31, 2005 -- Sprint (NYSE:S) -0- *T High-Speed Network and New Multimedia Phones Allow Wireless Customers to Download Complete Songs Over-the-air, View Live TV, Share High-Res Images, Retrieve Customized News and Enjoy Instant Access to Powerful, Innovative Services at Broadband-like Speeds *T Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced a significant step in convergence and another industry first with the launch of several new and enhanced entertainment, information and communication services that will operate via the high-speed Sprint Power Vision(SM) Network. For the first time, U.S. wireless customers will be able to download and purchase full songs over-the-air right from their phone. Customers can also view live TV and 30 multimedia entertainment and news channels; take and share high-resolution pictures and high-quality video; and retrieve customized news, traffic, weather, sports and entertainment information. Initially, the services will be available on two new Sprint Power Vision Phones. The new high-speed services and multimedia phones will give Sprint customers more choice and flexibility to watch, listen, play and do at the speed of life. "Once again, Sprint is taking convergence to the next level by giving customers the ultimate entertainment experience while on the go," said Len Lauer, chief operating officer for Sprint Nextel. "We were the first in the U.S. to offer live TV on a mobile phone. We were the first to offer streaming music. Now, Sprint is the first to offer full song downloads over-the-air right to your phone. Convergence is here and it's real, making it more convenient than ever for people to stay connected to each other, to information, and to entertainment." The Sprint Music Store(SM) is the first service in the United States that allows wireless customers to purchase and download full-length songs over-the-air to enjoy on their phone or PC. Customers can browse, preview, purchase and listen to hundreds of thousands of full-length songs in stereo sound from virtually every genre from all the major music labels while on the go, right from their Sprint Power Vision Phone. The service can be accessed from the Music icon on the main menu of the phone. Customers receive two copies of the song - one formatted for their phone and another for their PC - and can organize their music and create playlists from the phone. On Demand is a new service that allows customers to set and then receive customized, up-to-date information based on zip code such as news, sports, weather, money and movies, on demand the way they want it. These five info-channels are included at no additional cost for customers with a Sprint Power Vision Pack. Info-channels including the Oxford American dictionary, TV Guide, unlimited directory search, and maps and driving directions are available for an additional monthly charge. The application is pre-loaded on Sprint Power Vision Phones and can be accessed from the On Demand icon on the main menu. Sprint TV(SM) is an Emmy Award-winning service that allows customers to watch live TV on the go with full-motion video and high-quality audio on their Sprint Power Vision Phone. Customers who subscribe to the enhanced service can choose from 30 channels of live and exclusive on demand programming. Customers can choose from news, sports, weather, movie trailers and entertainment channels from major broadcasting brands including NFL Network and Fox News Channel LIVE, CNN To Go, NBC Mobile, ABC News Now, E! and Cartoon Network. The service also includes a streaming radio channel from SIRIUS. Sprint PCS Picture Mail(SM) makes it easier and more convenient than ever to instantly take, send and print high-resolution digital pictures using a Sprint Power Vision Phone equipped with a megapixel camera. Receiving photos is also a better experience since incoming messages now appear with a thumbnail view on your phone. Customers can manage and share pictures with friends and family online or from phone-to-phone. You can also order personalized gifts and digital prints for home delivery and retail pickup through www.sprint.com/picturemail or at thousands of kiosks and retailers. Web Browsing at broadband-like speeds on your phone makes it easier and quicker to stay informed whether you are at home, work, play or somewhere in between. "The new high-speed entertainment services offered via the Sprint Power Vision Network represents another key milestone in the development of consumer wireless services. Sprint already enjoys the highest revenue per retail subscriber in data-oriented services in the industry and will likely woo many more customers with these new, innovative services," said Lewis Ward, senior wireless analyst at IDC. "The Sprint Music Store is an industry first in terms of over-the-air full track downloads and it really showcases what's possible with state-of-the-art networks." Two Sprint Power Vision Phones will be available in Sprint Stores and on the Sprint web site at www.sprint.com, including the MM-A940 by Samsung and MM-9000 by Sanyo. Additional models are expected later this year. Lauer added: "On-demand access and convenience are key for today's on-the-go consumers who want to stay connected, multi-task and be entertained in their down time. Sprint is combining a high-speed network and the best features of consumer electronics into the one device that's always with you, your wireless phone. It's a powerful combination that will only get richer." The MM-A940 by Samsung has a built-in 2.0 megapixel camera, featuring 2.0 optical zoom in all resolutions and up to 10x digital zoom lens. The camera includes a self timer and multiple picture modes. The phone also has a rotating screen and built-in camcorder with the ability to capture and send up to 30-second video clips. The removable TransFLASH memory card can be used to store pictures, videos, voice memos and music. A built-in media player plays multiple digital audio formats including MP3, AAC and AAC+ files, and streams live TV and audio at broadband-like speeds. Bluetooth Wireless Technology and a speakerphone are also included. The MM-9000 by Sanyo features a built-in 1.3 megapixel camera, digital zoom lens and a camcorder capable of recording and sending up to 30-second video clips. Pictures, videos, voice memos and music can be stored on the removable miniSD card. The media player plays MP3, AAC and AAC+ files and streams live TV and audio at broadband-like speeds. Sprint Power Vision Packs will include compelling content for all plans and will be priced at $15, $20 and $25 - all of which include a streaming radio channel from SIRIUS, streaming live news from ABC News Now, and unlimited Web and data access. For more information on pricing plans, phones, features and services, please refer to the Sprint Power Vision press kit at www.sprint.com/mr. The Sprint Power Vision Network is based on state-of-the-art EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) CDMA technology, delivering wireless data at average download speeds of 400-700 kilobits per second and a peak rate of up to 2.0 Megabits per second. Earlier this year, Sprint began deploying its Sprint Power Vision Network, focusing on airports and business districts to improve wireless data access and productivity for mobile workers. In addition to a growing lineup of devices for consumers, Sprint offers two high-speed PCS Connection Cards and the PPC-6700, the first Pocket PC phone in the country to feature the Windows Mobile(TM) 5.0 platform. All three devices use the high-speed network to provide secure connectivity and broadband-like speeds. By mid November, the Sprint Power Vision Network is expected to be available to an estimated 130 million people nationwide, and is expected to reach over 150 million people by early 2006. For complete Sprint Power Vision Network coverage maps, please visit the Sprint web site at http://www.sprint.com/wirelesshighspeeddata. About Sprint Nextel Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com. |
