Sprint's XOHM WiMAX service goes live in
Baltimore today. With average downlink speeds of 2-4 Mbps, the
data-centric XOHM broadband service differs from present wireless
offerings in that:
- No long-term commitments or contracts are required, freeing
customers from restrictive long-term subsidized plans; - Monthly home, on-the-go and day-pass Internet plans provide
service choices; - A single monthly charge covers service for multiple WiMAX
access devices; - WiMAX devices are purchased like other computing/consumer
electronic devices, - XOHM broadband service is self-activated and includes future
updates capability; - Customers can enjoy an Internet portal offering enhanced
mobile services; - The Open Internet business model transcends other carriers'
wireless walled gardens that restrict services, choice and
innovation.
Starting today, customers can purchase XOHM-branded Samsung
Express air cards for $59.99 and ZyXEL modems for $79.99 via XOHM web,
telesales or select Baltimore-area independent retailers. Additional
WiMAX devices such as a ZTE USB modem, Intel Centrino 2 WiMAX notebook
PCs and the Nokia N810 WiMAX Edition are expected in market later this
year.
Introductory offers allow customers to choose from both daily and
month-to-month service options. At launch, mobile WiMAX service plans
include a $10 Day pass, $25 monthly Home Internet service and $30
monthly On-the-go service. Special launch pricing includes a $50 "Pick
2 for Life" monthly service option covering two different WiMAX
devices. Visit www.xohm.com to view the current XOHM WiMAX coverage
area, details of the introductory broadband service offerings and
device sales information.
Sprint will be the first and only national wireless carrier to
offer customers a dual-mode 3G - 4G device that extends the power of
Sprint's NOW network. Expected to launch in the fourth quarter, this
Sprint device will operate on the nation's largest 3G mobile broadband
network and the 4G network in Baltimore and other markets as WiMAX
service becomes available.
XOHM WiMAX will extend the home or office Internet experience and
mobile multimedia
applications to other places and additional devices.
With XOHM, consumers, businesses and local governments will ultimately
be able to experience new forms of interactive communications,
high-speed mobile Internet browsing, social-networking tools,
location-centric services and multimedia including music, video and
on-demand products at faster
The Baltimore XOHM service launch is one of the most rapid ever
for new network development, approximately two years after Sprint's
selection of WiMAX IEEE 802.16e as a technology standard and the
formation of a charter WiMAX ecosystem with Intel, Samsung and
Motorola. Those firms shared a common vision of next-generation
mobility services predicated on an embedded chipset model and the
wireless enablement of millions of consumer electronic devices that
lack wireless connectivity or Internet capability. Nokia, Nokia
Siemens Networks, Google, ZTE, ZyXEL and others have since joined the
XOHM WiMAX ecosystem.
As announced earlier this year, Sprint expects to complete the
anticipated combination of its XOHM WiMAX business assets with
Clearwire to form a new company in the fourth quarter. This new
company, to be called Clearwire, will continue to expedite the
deployment of a nationwide mobile WiMAX network. Following the
transaction, Sprint will be the only national wireless carrier to sell
4G services through an MVNO structure with the new Clearwire.