Sprint and AT&T Wireless Announce Reciprocal Wi-Fi Roaming Agreement

Strategic Insights -

Sprint and AT&T Wireless today announced a reciprocal Wi-Fi roaming agreement for five major international airports, marking the first time the two companies have collaborated on Wi-Fi service. This agreement will allow customers of both providers to access Wi-Fi enabled airports and stay connected to the Internet, access their corporate networks, or check e-mail via a Wi-Fi enabled laptop or PDA. The companies' respective customers will be able to roam using their existing user IDs and passwords. This partnership is a significant step forward in expanding Wi-Fi networks and catering to the needs of mobile professionals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The agreement will provide Wi-Fi access at five major international airports: Denver International, Kansas City International, Philadelphia International, Raleigh-Durham International, and Salt Lake City International.
  • Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access customers will be able to access Wi-Fi at Denver International, Philadelphia International, and Raleigh Durham International airports.
  • AT&T Wi-Fi subscribers will be able to access the same range of services at Kansas City International and Salt Lake City International airports.
  • The companies' customers will be able to roam using their existing user IDs and passwords.
  • The partnership is a significant step forward in expanding Wi-Fi networks and catering to the needs of mobile professionals.
  • Wes Dittmer, General Manager of WLAN services at Sprint, stated that the agreement will provide customers with the productivity benefits of Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access at additional locations.
  • Jeff Bradley, senior vice president for business data offers at AT&T Wireless, stated that the agreement with Sprint will add important new venues and builds on the company's strategy of expanding Wi-Fi networks as a compliment to its national, wide-area EDGE network.

Statistics:

  • The agreement covers five major international airports.
  • Sprint PCS Wi-Fi Access customers will be able to access Wi-Fi at 3 airports.
  • AT&T Wi-Fi subscribers will be able to access the same range of services at 2 airports.
  • The companies' customers will be able to roam using their existing user IDs and passwords.
  • Sprint serves over 26 million customers in 100 countries.
  • AT&T Wireless has 21.980 million subscribers as of December 31, 2003.
  • AT&T Wireless has revenues of more than $16.6 billion over the past four quarters.

Sources:

  • Sprint
  • AT&T Wireless
  • PRNewswire April 19, 2004
  • Wi-Fi enabled laptop or PDA
  • User IDs and passwords

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