Sprint has signed Wi-Fi high-speed wireless service roaming agreements with four broadband Internet service providers and a virtual network enabler which will increase the number of Wi-Fi hotspots available to customers to more than 19,000 including extensive international connectivity. The deals strengthen Sprint's leadership in mobile data services and will help Sprint achieve 25,000 targeted venues by year-end.

Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access service is part of a comprehensive remote access portfolio which provides customers with a range of wireless connectivity choices. Sprint's strategy is to focus on high-growth wireless business opportunities, and the following agreements represent more than 10,000 new locations via:

- Quiconnect, an international virtual network enabler headquartered in London, will extend Sprint's network reach initially to more than 6,000 international travel venues and grow substantially thereafter, including over 30 airports by the end of 2005. Quiconnect will enable Sprint customers to connect in these venues via the Sprint Extended WorkplaceSM client and Web access. Additional information can be found at www.quiconnect.com .

- Fiberlink Communications Corp, a leading innovator and trusted enterprise partner for secure mobile workforce solutions, signed a unilateral agreement whereby Sprint customers get access to 3,800 hotspots through the Sprint Extended Workplace client. Sprint partnered with Fiberlink in 2004 to build the Sprint Extended Workplace client, which is powered by Fiberlink's Dynamic Network Architecture. Additional information is available at www.fiberlink.com .

- Opti-Fi, a leader in installed airport Wi-Fi systems in North America, signed a unilateral agreement for Sprint customers to have access to over 30 airport venues across the United States. For venue information and more, visit www.opti-fi.com .

- Pronto Networks, a Wi-Fi OSS leader, signed a bilateral roaming agreement with Sprint that allows each company's customers to access the other's public Wi-Fi networks. Pronto has hundreds of locations in North America, including prominent hotels, business centers, shopping malls, RV parks, restaurants, cafes and city-wide hot zones. For more information, visit www.prontonetworks.com .

- Nomadix, the leading provider of solutions that create intelligent public access networks, signed a unilateral agreement granting Sprint customers access to over 350 venues in their Wi-Fi footprint. Nomadix information can be found at www.nomadix.com .

"These agreements propel Sprint to the forefront of Wi-Fi service enablement," explained Wes Dittmer, general manager - WLAN Services, Sprint. "Sprint customers desiring ubiquity, consistent service and the convenience of a single account will reap the productivity benefits of Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access at new international and domestic locations. Wi-Fi is an integral part of Sprint's remote-access strategy, and we are fostering customer productivity by providing high-speed wireless data service at an ever-growing list of venues that are frequented by mobile workers."

To simplify the connection process for customers, Sprint recently announced Sprint Extended Workplace, a software client for laptops that identifies and displays a menu of all available connectivity choices and gives the user the option to point, click and get connected, regardless of access type.

Sprint is focusing on providing Wi-Fi services in high-traffic areas such as airports, hotels, convention centers and other public venues where customers desire it most and can derive the greatest benefit. Sprint has Wi-Fi roaming agreements in effect across the United States, Canada and Europe. Besides those announced today, agreements are in effect with a number of industry players including STSN, SBC, Concourse and Cingular. For information and list of Sprint compatible Wi-Fi Zones visit www.sprint.com/wifi .

Post a comment and discuss this story with other readers.