Nationwide Availability of AOL Instant Messenger on Sprint PCS Phones

Strategic Insights -

Wireless instant messaging has become a popular way to stay connected with family, colleagues, and friends on the go, thanks to the nationwide availability of AOL Instant Messenger on Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phones. This new service offers customers a clear and convenient way to communicate with others directly from their wireless phones, providing added value to AOL Mobile services. With the ability to send and receive private text messages in real-time, customers can now stay connected with those they care about, even when they're away from their PCs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sprint PCS is the first wireless provider to offer the popular AOL Instant Messenger service to customers nationwide, making it available on over 15 models of Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phones.
  • The service provides customers with additional ways to stay in touch via their wireless phones, including private text messaging and Buddy List features that show when contacts are online and available to receive instant messages.
  • Customers can maintain and manage their personalized AIM Buddy List on the Sprint PCS Wireless Web, making it easy to see when people they want to reach are online.
  • AIM's instant messaging features are seamlessly integrated into the phone's browser, with no special software required to get started.
  • Customers can register for free AIM screen names and add their AIM Buddy List to their phone directly from the Sprint PCS Wireless Web.
  • The service also includes AIM Quick Reply, a feature that allows customers to select from stored responses and questions, such as "How's it going?" and "Thanks", to make instant messaging easy via wireless phones.
  • There is no extra service charge to access AIM while on the Sprint PCS Wireless Web, and customers can choose Sprint PCS Wireless Web as their free option as part of any Sprint PCS Free & Clear Plan.
  • The service is available on the Sprint PCS Wireless Web, which offers customers a suite of simple, user-friendly wireless data products and services, including e-mail, surfing, shopping, and stock trading.
  • Sprint PCS operates the largest all-digital, all-PCS nationwide wireless network in the United States, covering nearly 270 million people in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
  • AOL is the world's leading interactive services company, founded in 1985, and offers a range of interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies, and e-commerce services.

Statistics:

  • Sprint PCS has over 4,000 cities and communities covered by its wireless network, serving a customer base of over 20 million business and residential customers.
  • Sprint PCS offers customers a choice of Sprint PCS Wireless Web Service Plans, including a free option as part of the Sprint PCS Free & Clear Plan.
  • The Sprint PCS Wireless Web is available on over 15 models of Internet-ready Sprint PCS Phones.
  • AOL Instant Messenger has over 100 million registered users worldwide.
  • The Sprint PCS Wireless Web offers customers access to a range of services, including e-mail, surfing, shopping, and stock trading, in real-time.

Sources:

  • "Customers Nationwide to Enjoy the Clear Benefits of Wireless Instant Messaging With Family, Colleagues and Friends from Their Internet-Ready Sprint PCS Phones" (PRNewswire, October 19, 2000)
  • About Sprint PCS (http://www.sprintpcs.com)
  • About America Online, Inc. (http://www.aol.com)