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Sprint Builds Momentum for Sprint PCS Ready Link(SM), Penetrating New Markets With Broad Selection of Innovative Devices and Affordable Pricing

Posted on: Monday, 24 May 2004, 06:00 CDT

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sprint announced an aggressive move to build momentum for Sprint PCS Ready Link with an expanded line-up of feature-rich devices and new, more affordable pricing for the nationwide walkie-talkie service. After introducing Sprint PCS Ready Link in November 2003, early sales results show that a growing number of consumers as well as business customers are using Sprint PCS Ready Link to communicate one-on-one or in small groups with family, friends, clients, suppliers and co-workers. Today, more than 275,000 Sprint customers are using the service via the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, which covers more than 245 million people.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )

"In addition to business customers, Sprint is seeing significant adoption of Sprint PCS Ready Link among teens and families," said John Garcia, senior vice president of sales and distribution for Sprint Consumer Solutions. "Sprint's broad selection of feature-rich devices and simple, flat-rate pricing appeal to customers who want to make their lives easier by quickly connecting with family, friends and co-workers. Our customers can also enjoy a growing number of advanced wireless data services via the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network, whether it's for fun or productivity."

This week, Sprint introduced its latest Ready Link-capable phone, the Sprint PCS Vision(SM) Ready Link Phone RL-4920 by Sanyo(R). Dubbed "The Power Bar" for its high-capacity battery power, the RL-4920 by Sanyo boasts an unprecedented 5.5 hours of continuous talk time. The candy-bar style phone is noticeably sleeker and lighter than previous models. It is available for $69.99 after rebates (SRP: $219.99) at Sprint Stores nationwide.

Known for its innovative selection of devices, Sprint offers several options to satisfy the diverse needs of consumers and business customers who want to use Sprint PCS Ready Link. This includes the full-featured Sprint PCS Vision Video Phone VM4500 by Sanyo, a clamshell phone available in navy blue or silver and gray two-tone, which not only supports Sprint PCS Ready Link and Sprint PCS Vision services, but has a built-in camera and camcorder; Sprint PCS Ready Link customers with an inner shutterbug may also like the Sprint PCS Vision Picture Phone PM-8200 by Sanyo, an updated version of the Sprint PCS Vision Picture Phone (Sanyo 8100), one of the top-selling devices in Sprint history because of its sleek design, easy-to-use Picture Mail(SM) capabilities and affordable price. The PM-8200 by Sanyo was also enhanced with improved image resolution, speakerphone and built-in flash, as well as color options in silver, blue and red.

Sprint PCS Ready Link allows Sprint customer Scott Bradach of Madison, Wis., to keep in contact with a good friend who works out of town. "Sprint PCS Ready Link is one of the best features that Sprint has added to their phones and network. It's a quick, easy and economical way to communicate and it's great when traveling."

Realizing that business customers have unique needs, Sprint offers two rugged devices, the Sprint PCS Vision Ready Link Phone RL2000 by Sanyo and the Sprint PCS Vision Ready Link Phone RL-7300 by Sanyo, both designed for a wide range of outdoor and industrial uses. The RL2000 by Sanyo is a candy-bar style phone with speakerphone made out of the same material as NFL football helmets with a rubber grip. The RL-7300 by Sanyo is a durable, clamshell-style phone featuring a high-quality speakerphone for convenient, hands-free operation, making it perfect for today's "work hard/play hard" lifestyle.

"The need for quick communication among individuals and groups of employees exists in many business settings, making Sprint PCS Ready Link ideal for small, medium and large businesses in just about any industry," said Vicki Warker, vice president of marketing, Sprint Business Solutions. "With nationwide coverage, innovative handsets and value-added pricing, more and more business customers are utilizing Sprint PCS Ready Link as an affordable and effective way to access co-workers and clients."

Gristede's Foods employees of all levels, including executives, maintenance workers and delivery drivers are using Sprint PCS Ready Link as a quick and convenient way to get updates in order to make more informed decisions about daily operations. "Our operations and XpressGrocer.com online grocery delivery divisions have benefited greatly from Sprint PCS Ready Link. It allows them to get minute-by-minute updates on the status of deliveries and other time-sensitive processes, which in turn enhances customer satisfaction and increases our productivity," said Michael Criscuolo, Director of Marketing for Gristede's Foods Inc., a large-scale supermarket chain in New York City.

Sprint has also enhanced the price structure of Sprint PCS Ready Link so that it is more closely integrated with Sprint PCS Vision services. Customers can add Sprint PCS Ready Link to their service plan for a $10 monthly recurring cost, or they can select Sprint PCS Ready Link and a Sprint PCS Vision Pack for a $20 monthly recurring cost. As part of a promotional offer, customers can receive Sprint PCS Ready Link and Sprint PCS Vision free for two months.

In addition to the previously mentioned pricing offers, Sprint is offering special service plans to business customers ranging from $36 to $67 a month that include unlimited two-way calls, up to 1,000 anytime voice minutes, and unlimited night and weekend minutes. A special $200 per month plan is also available, providing business customers with unlimited two-way calls, unlimited voice minutes and the option to add any Sprint PCS Vision Pack for no additional charge. More details and availability of special business offers are available at http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/products_services/voice/readylink/plans.html .

With Sprint PCS Ready Link, customers can make an unlimited number of quick "get in, get out" type calls with individuals or groups of up to five with the simple push of a button for a flat monthly fee anywhere on the enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network. Sprint customers can also make regular voice calls anywhere on the Sprint network and when off the Sprint network, customers can make regular voice calls in areas where Sprint has analog roaming agreements.

Sprint PCS Ready Link customers who choose Sprint PCS Vision, can take and receive pictures from select Sprint PCS Phones; browse the Internet at speeds faster than many dial-up connections; check personal and corporate email; watch clips and stream audio for news and music; download polyphonic ringers, animated and voice ringers, and full-color, graphically rich games and screen savers, all on the Sprint Network.

For more information or to sign up for Sprint services, customers can go to Sprint Stores, contact their Sprint business-sales representative, call business telesales toll-free at 1-877-459-8166 or go to http://www.sprintpcs.com/ .

About Sprint

Sprint is a global integrated communications provider serving more than 26 million customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 65,000 employees worldwide and over $26 billion in annual revenues in 2003, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the-art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local communications services in 39 states and the District of Columbia and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/ .

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGOAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840

Sprint

CONTACT: Jenny Stevens of Sprint Consumer Solutions, +1-212-450-9516,jennifer.l.stevens@mail.sprint.com , or Amy Schiska of Sprint BusinessSolutions, +1-913-794-2947, amy.k.schiska@mail.sprint.com

Web site: http://www.sprint.com/http://www.sprint.com/pcsbusiness/products_services/voice/readylink/plans.htmlhttp://www.sprintpcs.com/

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