Sprint expands availability of industry-first femtocell that works with any Sprint phone for convenient, reliable wireless use at home or in the office
Sprint (NYSE: S) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced today that customers across the country will soon be able to get enhanced wireless coverage, plus the option of unlimited calling with an AIRAVE voice plan, in their homes or offices with the upcoming nationwide launch of the Sprint AIRAVE by Samsung. The AIRAVE, named one of the 25 Most Innovative Products of the Year by PC World, is the first commercially available femtocell, a mini cell tower that works with any Sprint phone* and a broadband Internet connection to provide enhanced in-home wireless coverage. Customers purchasing the AIRAVE can take advantage of unlimited in-home calling with an optional AIRAVE Unlimited Voice plan.
“Customers are using their wireless phones at home more than ever, and with the AIRAVE, Sprint is making it even more convenient for customers to rely on their Sprint phones while in their home or office,” said Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product and technology development for Sprint. “For customers who want to reduce their monthly communication expenses by using their wireless phone as their only phone, the AIRAVE offers enhanced coverage that works with all Sprint phones, plus the option of a low cost and worry-free unlimited in-home calling plan.”
“People want ubiquitous cell service on their wireless phones everywhere they go, and that includes their homes and offices,” said Tom Jasny, vice president of wireless systems and broadband for Samsung Mobile. “The AIRAVE makes it even easier to get enhanced coverage, no matter where you live or work.”
With the AIRAVE, Sprint customers can:
- Take advantage of enhanced coverage without having to purchase a new phone.
- Talk all they want when subscribed to the optional unlimited AIRAVE calling plan. With the plan, unlimited incoming and outgoing calls and nationwide long distance are included when using the AIRAVE.
- Use their existing Sprint phone, with the option to upgrade to the latest phones at any time. All Sprint phones are compatible with the AIRAVE.*
- Easily install the device using their existing broadband Internet connection and AC power outlet. The AIRAVE is ready to use straight out of the box, with no configuration changes required.
- Take their call with them. Calls initiated on the AIRAVE will transfer automatically to the Nationwide Sprint Network when leaving the AIRAVE coverage area.
The Sprint AIRAVE acts like a mini cell tower by creating a licensed spectrum CDMA network signal within the customer’s home or small office, providing enhanced wireless coverage up to 5,000 square feet. When compared to unlicensed spectrum solutions (e.g., WiFi network solutions), the AIRAVE is designed to offer more reliable performance, less interference, and is compatible with all Sprint phones.*
The technology behind the AIRAVE has received several awards, including Best of Innovations at CES 2008, Emerging Technologies Award – 1st Place: Network Infrastructure Category at CTIA 2008 and Best of CTIA 2007 “Best Cell Phone Accessory” Award from LAPTOP Magazine.
Starting August 17, Sprint customers will be able to purchase the AIRAVE at Sprint stores across the country for $99.99 (taxes excluded). Customers are required to subscribe to the AIRAVE enhanced coverage plan, which is priced at just $4.99** per month in addition to the customer’s regular wireless voice plan. Customers who do not have one of Sprint’s unlimited voice plans, such as Simply Everything, can get unlimited in-home calling by subscribing to the optional AIRAVE Unlimited Voice plan for an additional $10 per month** for individuals or $20 per month for families.** For more information, customers can visit http://www.sprint.com/airave.
Sprint provides the largest CDMA voice calling area, reaching more than 299 million people in the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam (in combination with digital roaming partners). To help ensure quality network performance, during 2007 Sprint added more than 4,000 new cell sites to give customers coverage in the areas where they live, work and play.
* Nextel phones are not compatible with the AIRAVE.
** Monthly charges exclude taxes, Sprint Surcharges (incl. USF charge of up to 11.4% (varies quarterly), Administrative Charge (up to $1.99/line/mo.), Regulatory Charge ($0.20/line/mo.) & state/local fees by area). Sprint Surcharges are not taxes or gov’t-required charges and are subject to change. Details: Sprint.com/taxesandfees.
