Now that's a lota handsets.
Sprint PCS Service Now Available in 134 Metropolitan Markets Nationwide; Nation's Largest PCS Provider Announces Markets for Next Two Years of Launch
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sprint PCS, already the nation's largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network announced that it has completed its 1997 launch phase, bringing Sprint PCS service to 134 metropolitan markets across the country in less than a year. Sprint PCS also announced the metropolitan markets it plans to begin launching in 1998 and early 1999.
"One year ago we launched eight markets with a goal of bringing our 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS service to consumers and businesses in virtually every metropolitan market in the United States," said Andrew Sukawaty, chief executive officer of Sprint PCS. "With the phenomenal launch of 134 markets, Sprint PCS has become the nation's largest, all digital, nationwide PCS network. And 1997 was really just the beginning for Sprint PCS. In fact, by the end of 1998 or early 1999, the Sprint PCS network will serve the nation's top 100 major metropolitan areas and thousands of cities, realizing the goal of the United States' first truly national wireless network."
Sprint PCS, through its affiliate Sprint Spectrum, launched the United States' first PCS system in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore area in November 1995. Offering innovations such as the first incoming minute free, bundled enhanced features, and eliminating the cellular-style long-term contracts and activation fees; Sprint PCS' pioneering launch forever changed the way wireless services are packaged and sold. Many of these innovations have become the new standards for the wireless industry.
"We've completely changed the mobile phone world by offering consumers clarity, simplicity and value -- a proposition that was never available in the days of the cellular duopoly," Sukawaty said. "Our value proposition combined with the superior call clarity of our 100 percent digital CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) nationwide PCS service has positioned Sprint PCS as the clear alternative to cellular in 134 markets coast to coast."
In 1998 and early 1999 Sprint PCS will begin launching service in more than 100 additional metropolitan markets including Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura, California; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Stamford, Connecticut; Jacksonville, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; and Houston, Texas.
Lucent Technologies, Motorola and Nortel are providing the CDMA network infrastructure equipment for the Sprint PCS network. The recent launch of Sprint PCS service in Boston and Los Angeles marked the final launch markets for Lucent Technologies in 1997 in the Sprint PCS network. "We are proud that Sprint PCS looked to Lucent Technologies to help build its sophisticated, nationwide network that provides reliable, clear service to Sprint PCS customers," said Bill Nelson, vice president for Lucent Technologies' Sprint/Sprint PCS customer team. "We look forward to continuing our work with Sprint PCS as it grows its network and strives to bring new, innovative services to its customers."
Sprint PCS has the largest 100 percent digital, 100 percent PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, already serving more than 130 metropolitan markets which include more than 600 cities. Sprint PCS plans to serve the top 100 U.S. major metropolitan areas over the next two years. Sprint PCS, together with its affiliates and Sprint Corporation, has licensed PCS coverage of nearly 260 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sprint PCS is a partnership of Sprint Corporation, Tele-Communications, Inc. (TCI), Cox Communications, Inc. and Comcast Corporation. |
