As part of its recently released Wireless Web for Business initiative, Sprint PCS unveiled its Wireless Web Modem, a portable solution designed for business customers to wirelessly access the Internet on their laptops at speeds comparable to a landline dial-up connection.
The modem, developed with Sierra Wireless Inc. and BlueKite.com, a wireless Internet software provider, is based on Sierra’s AirCard 510 personal computer card. Designed to fit into a standard Type II slot on a laptop computer running Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000 and NT, the CDMA modem allows users to connect to the Internet over Sprint’s wireless network.
“We were pleased to work with BlueKite.com and Sierra Wireless to create a faster, more enjoyable experience for business customers who need to wirelessly connect to the Internet and access corporate information while they’re on the road,” said Jay Highley, vice president of business marketing for Sprint PCS.
The modem is also equipped with Sprint PCS Enhanced Internet Connection, allowing business customers to access the Internet at throughput rates up to five times faster than traditional wireless access, according to Sprint. This is possible due to bandwidth optimization software by BlueKite-.com using algorithms to remove as much overhead, unnecessary delay and redundant information as possible from Web-based data traffic, allowing the 14.4 kilobits per second connection to function at speeds comparable to 56 kbps landline connections.
Highley added that this technology, along with Sprint’s digital wireless data network, would solidify Sprint PCS’ presence in the business market. In addition, since the service bypasses the public switched telephone network and connects directly to the Internet via the Sprint network, users will not have to input a telephone number, password or user name for a connection.
Sprint expects the modem to be available by mid-December at a price of $400.
