US Unwired Deploys CommWorks Corporation's 2G CDMA Solution to Deliver Sprint PCS Wireless Web Service in Seven Southern States
(BusinessWire, 03/14/2001 10:59)
LAKE CHARLES, La. & MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2001--
Sprint PCS Wireless Web Connects Consumers and Businesses to Information, Entertainment and M-Commerce When and Where They Need It
US Unwired (Nasdaq:UNWR), a Sprint PCS (NYSE:PCS) Network Partner, is using wireless data access technology from CommWorks Corporation, a 3Com (Nasdaq:COMS) Company, to deliver the Sprint PCS Wireless Web to its customers across seven southern states, the companies announced today.
The Lake Charles, La.-based carrier has equipped its central office switches with the Total Control(R) 1000 2G InterWorking Function (IWF) from CommWorks, enabling its customers to enjoy access to the Wireless Web, corporate data networks and other real-time data services. Using any Internet-ready, Sprint PCS phone, customers can make business-critical and routine connections anywhere in US Unwired's 164,500 square mile geographical service area, which reaches from Florida to Texas.
The Total Control 1000 2G IWF allows US Unwired subscribers to retrieve e-mail, gain network access to personal and corporate servers and attach laptop computers to their Sprint PCS Phone, regardless of their location. For business meeting users, the Wireless Web service eliminates the need for wall-mounted telephone jacks and the unwieldy wires previously required by laptop computers for Internet and corporate communications. Using these new capabilities, customers can connect with their offices and download information in real-time for virtually any purpose. Business subscribers can swiftly access their company's network, including complete customer information, product deliveries and service histories using their mobile phones -- a major benefit that can help them retain current customers and gain new ones.
"Our customers continue to expect us to be at the forefront of communications technology," said Carl Smith, executive director of Network Operations, US Unwired. "With the Sprint PCS Wireless Web, we're sustaining our tradition of leadership and, most importantly, providing subscribers with an invaluable communications platform to improve the quality of their business and personal lives."
A Dynamic Communications Solution
US Unwired's use of CommWorks' Total Control 1000 platform emanated from the carrier's need to add data capability to its wireless network to expand its product offerings. US Unwired needed a scalable, reliable data call routing solution to connect with Sprint's data network. Based on the carrier's evaluation of competitive alternatives and the recommendation of Sprint PCS, which uses CommWorks' systems for the same purpose, US Unwired standardized on the Total Control 1000 platform to offer wireless data access to customers across Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, Mississippi and southern Tennessee.
"CommWorks' wireless data access solution is a proven performer," explained Smith. "Its ability to effortlessly route data traffic from our customers' Sprint PCS phones to the Sprint PCS Wireless Web and other data repositories made it an ideal solution for our subscribers."
CommWorks' Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) IWF technology selects and manages the Internet protocol (IP) routing of every data call made from a Sprint PCS customer. Upon receiving the call, the system determines the optimum method of linking the user to the intended data repository, including corporate servers, news and stock services or Sprint PCS' Internet backbone router. Choosing analog modem connections or IP addressing, the CDMA IWF assures that the communication remains intact as the wireless user moves from one location to another. With US Unwired anticipating the number of data calls to exceed voice calls, the scalable Total Control 1000 platform will help insure that the carrier can meet this demand.
According to one US Unwired corporate customer, "The Sprint PCS Wireless Web is extending the reach of our network to our mobile sales force, traveling executives and others. As a result, our company employees enjoy all the communication capabilities they require whether they're at their desks or on the road. This translates directly into superior customer service, bringing us an invaluable competitive advantage."
Concluded US Unwired's Smith: "With this solution, wireless data technology is no more complicated than a voice call. The system's reliable performance ensures that our customers enjoy the ultimate Internet service and wireless connectivity. None of this would have been possible without the CommWorks' solution."
About US Unwired
US Unwired Inc., based in Lake Charles, La., holds direct or indirect ownership interests in three Sprint PCS Network Partners: Louisiana Unwired, Texas Unwired and Gulf Coast Wireless. Through Louisiana Unwired and Texas Unwired, US Unwired is authorized to build, operate and manage a network that offers 100 percent digital, 100 percent Sprint PCS wireless service in 41 markets, serving more than 100,000 Sprint PCS customers. US Unwired's Sprint PCS territory includes portions of southern Tennessee, eastern Texas, southern Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida panhandle, and significant portions of Louisiana. In addition, US Unwired provides cellular and paging service in southwest Louisiana. For more information on US Unwired and its products and services, visit the company's web site at usunwired.com. US Unwired is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol "UNWR".
About Sprint PCS
Sprint PCS operates the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint PCS has licensed PCS coverage of more than 280 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit the Sprint PCS web site at sprintpcs.com. Sprint PCS is a wholly owned tracking group of Sprint Corporation trading on the NYSE under the symbol "PCS."
Sprint is a global communications company -- at the forefront of integrating long-distance, local and wireless communications services, and a large carrier of Internet traffic. Sprint built and operates the United States' first nationwide all digital, fiber-optic network and is a leader in advanced data communications services. Sprint has $23 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 20 million business and residential customers.
About CommWorks Corporation
CommWorks Corporation, a 3Com Company, supplies network service providers around the world with access infrastructures and IP services platforms that open new business opportunities and help them establish unique positions in a competitive marketplace. With flexible multi-service hardware platforms and modular software components, the comprehensive CommWorks architecture makes it possible for service providers to integrate their existing infrastructures with innovative technologies to deliver an array of next-generation IP-based enhanced services to their customers. For further information, visit www.commworks.com.
About 3Com Corporation
3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use, connectivity products and solutions for consumers and commercial organizations. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.
Note to Editors: 3Com, CommWorks and Total Control are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. |
