CTIA 2007 -- Sprint Nextel has just taken the music plunge, on song prices. In like fashion to Apple's famous Music store -- iTunes, they have lowered the price of over-the-air music downloads -- via the Sprint Music Store to .99 cents per song. This now matches the digital music leader Apple, and provides competition to ATT's up-and-coming iPhone launch. Sprint Music Store downloads were previously priced at $2.50 per song. This announcement comes in tandem with Sprint's release of the Samsung UpStage mobile phone-mp3 player. This also happened on the same day that as AT&T announced they would offer Free 'Napster To Go' on select handsets. Like before, the price is consistent across the 1.4 milliion songs in their music catalog. This also includes the bonus feature of allowing another copy of the song downloaded to a Windows personal computer.

To date Sprint customers have downloaded over 15 million songs.

Posted by mobilemodo at 09:36 PM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Music | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint has officially announced the next smartphone release -- dubbed the Motorola Q. The Moto Q had been limited exclusively to Verizon Wireless (CDMA carrier) since it was launched in May of 2006. Sprint plans to start shipping the phone to its direct business channels in late January -- and expects to have "The Q" in retail channels starting in February.

The Motorola Q by Sprint features:
Slim Design: 4.6H x 2.5W x 0.45D inches (thick as a pencil)
Windows Mobile 5.0
miniSD card slot bulit-in
EVDO 3G data speeds
1.3 megapixel camera (MP)
Bluetooth Wireless

See Also -- FCC Approves Moto Q, Verizon

Posted by mobilemodo at 07:40 PM | Permalink Posted to 3G | Motorola | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint has released another music-centric phone -- the exclusive Sanyo M1. While most music-oriented mobile handsets only have a minimal amout of memory (forcing owners to purchase an add-on memory card or user upgrade), the M1 handset has a cool 1GB of internal memory built-in. This is the largest amount of internal memory of any phone currently being carried by US national carriers (Sprint, Verizon, Cingular, T-mobile), but they don't provide an expansion slot anywhere on the handset to add more memory. The M1 flip-phone rolls in at 23mm thick (.9"), making it a little chunky when compared to other recently launched music phones by other carriers.

Sanyo M1 feature-set:
EVDO data via Powervision
QVGA screen display w/ 262k colors
Bluetooth wireless with A2DP stereo
2.0 MP Camera
Music player with external controls (MP3, AAC, AAC+) + stereo speakers
Built-in Speakerphone

Right now -- Sprint is selling the Sanyo M1 for $199 when you sign-up for a new 2-year contract with $150 in instant savings. It is available now in stores and on the Sprint.com website. Another photo of the M1 opened up with Sprint's Music store Groove Mobile being launched is shown below.

Continue reading "Sanyo M1 released by Sprint" »

Posted by mobilemodo at 06:02 PM | Permalink Posted to 3G | Mobile Music | Sanyo | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel has just launched debuted the Sanyo SCP-7000, a slight twist on the existing SCP-2400. The 7000 is basically a ruggedized version of the 2400 -- which also includes swappable faceplates. Both the 7000/2400 phones are entry-level wireless units that focus on basic voice functions. Sprint Nextel has also launched another CDMA based Sanyo handset today, the M1. Unlike the basic voice-centric focus of the 7000, the Sanyo M1 is a high-end music phone.

Sanyo SCP-2400 features include:
Rugged Dura-Grip antislip handset coating
Push-to-talk (aka ReadyLink)
Speakerphone capable
128×160 pixel display screen w/65k colors
Parental control option
Sprint is now selling the SCP-7000 for $30 with a 2-year contract agreement with $150 in instant savings applied. The Sanyo SCP-2400 is still available and is now being priced at $20.

Continue reading "Sanyo SCP-7000 launched by Sprint" »

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:57 PM | Permalink Posted to News | Sanyo | Sprint Nextel

Sprint has finally launched the Motorola RAZR. In this case it is the famed Moto RAZR V3m. Sprint Nextel Corporation is the last major US wireless carrier to carry Motorola's flagship phone -- and has taken a beating from investors this year for not putting this phone in the lineup. Sprint is also launching the KRZR and SLVR models shortly -- along with a whole new line of cell phones for the 2006 holiday season.

Motorola RAZR V3m features include:

EV-DO broadband high-speed data
GPS capable via Telenav Navigator
Bluetooth Wireless (headset & network)
1.3 megapixel camera
microSD card slot
Speakerphone
Sprint TV, NFL Mobile, Sprint Music Store

Sprint is charging $49.99 for the RAZR V3m handset after a $90 mail-in rebate and 2-year service lock-in contract. It's available now in stores and on the sprint website.

See Also -- Sprint announces Motorola RED RAZR V3m

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:57 AM | Permalink Posted to 3G | CDMA | Motorola | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint has become the 1st US based carrier to launch the Motorola RED RAZR V3m, an exclusive special edition of the Moto RAZR. This Sprint exclusive RED MOTORAZR is part of the (PRODUCT) RED initiative. The RED group is headlined by U2 frontman Mr. Bono and raises money for those in Africa affected by HIV/AIDS. Sprint will pony up $17 for each handset sold towards this effort.

Features of the RED colored MOTORAZR:
1.3 mega-pixel camera
EVDO highspeed data connectivity
Bluetooth Wireless Capable
microSD slot

Sprint expects to start shipping the RED RAZR V3m starting early next month -- early November 2006. The RED MOTORAZR will be available for $64.99 with a 2-year contract -- or $304.99 with no contract.

The RAZR product launch by Sprint will be the first to showcase the deal announced earlier this year to launch Motorola CDMA RAZR's on the Sprint Network.

-- The Launch of the Sprint RED RAZR is in line with other recent high profile RED (PRODUCT) launches such as GAP RED lineup and Apple's iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED which retails for $199 with $10 being cut out for charity.

Posted by mobilemodo at 03:10 PM | Permalink Posted to 3G | CDMA | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel publicly announced results for the second quarter. August marks one year since the acquisition and merger with Nextel. Sprint added to the bottom line -- 210k new post-paid wireless customers, compared to over 1.5m by Cingular and 1.8m by Verizon during Q2. More importantly, the average revenue per customer slid 6% from a year ago due to Affiliate acquisitions.

In response to the quarterly results, Sprint Nextel's COO (Len Lauer) noted that the company plans to expand its offering of Motorola handsets in the fourth quarter to help the consumer product offering. Specifically, they will expand into the RAZR Family of Motorola phones -- both the Q and SLVR were mentioned.The KRZR K1c (FCC approved) may also be included in this rumor.

Posted by mobilemodo at 12:05 PM | Permalink Posted to News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel has announced that they will roll out EV-DO Revision A 1 quarter earlier than previously anticipated. The faster 3G technology ( owned by Qualcomm) was originally going to be rolled out starting in the first quarter of 2007. Sprint plans to have its entire network upgraded to EV-DO revision A by the third quarter of 2007 -- which currently covers over 200 million customers.

Just last week Sprint successfully completed their first EV-DO Revision A data connection on the Sprint Power Vision network in San Diego, California. Additionally, Sprint has been demonstrating next generation applications such as IP video telephony, high performance push-to-talk (walkie-talkie service on CDMA), multi-user video conferencing, real time gaming and video streaming of both content and live web cams simultaneously.

Revision A gives EV-DO a speed boost -- most noticeable when uploading:
Revision 0 --> Revision A
Max download: 2Mbps --> 3.1Mpbs
Avg download: 400-700kbps --> 450-800kbps
Max upload: 144kbps --> 1.8Mbps
Avg upload: 70-144kbbs --> 300-400kbbs

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:19 AM | Permalink Posted to 3G | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint has launched the Samsung A420 on the PCS side of their network (CDMA). This entry-level handset has all the basic features (they call it elegant features) that make it easy to use without all the snazzy features the high-end handsets showcase. The phone's main menu has been simplified so it is much easier to learn how to use the phone for beginners.

Features of the Samsung A420:
Simple Navigation Menu
Speakerphone (handsfree operation)
SMS text messaging enabled
Voice-Activated Dialing
128×160 65K color display screen
Internal Antenna (hidden)

Sprint is now selling the A420 for $169.99 and is free ($0) after instant savings ($150) are applied in addition to a $19.99 web-only discount. A web-only discount and a 2-year service contract must be signed in order to get the phone for free.

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:38 AM | Permalink Posted to News | Samsung | Sprint Nextel

Garmin has just announced they will expand their flagship Garmin Mobile service offering. Garmin Mobile 3.0 is currently available to Sprint Nextel mobile subscribers (CDMA and iDEN respectively) with a compatible phone. The mobile software upgrade adds more mapping points of interest (POI) -- such as restaurants, fuel prices, weather and live traffic reports. Traffic data is automatically calculated into routing so that it can direct you to follow an alternative path that will route you around possible delays. Gas pricing information is tracked by compiling recent credit card transactions in the area being recorded by OPIS, a petroleum pricing group.

Garmin Mobile will give you turn-by-turn directions to any address located in the United Statess and Puerto Rico. With the latest 3.0 software update you will have access to over 6 million points of interest. The current pricing is set @ $9.99 per month for unlimited usage.

Posted by mobilemodo at 09:47 AM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | News | Software Update | Sprint Nextel

The highly anticipated arrival of the new Sprint Nextel hybrid iDen/CDMA phone is fast approaching.
Hybrid phones give Nextel Walkie-Talkie users access to the powerful, feature-rich Sprint CDMA network for cellular calls and data applications, all in one handset.

Continue reading "Sprint to launch hybrid CDMA/iDEN mobile" »

Posted by mobilemodo at 04:30 PM | Permalink Posted to CDMA | Motorola | News | Sprint Nextel

Embarq, the former Sprint Local Telephone Division has just launched wireless service through a MVNO relationship with Sprint Nextel Corporation. The company will now provide bundled service packages of wireline, wireless and internet services.

Embarq is providing simplified service plans starting at 19.95 a month. Depending on what plan is chosen, Embarq customers will be able to have free calling between their wireless and home phones. There's also a feature where any 5 numbers can be called for free, even if they are on other carriers.

Embarq is launching with a limited number of wireless phones -- only a subset of what Sprint offers. Current entry-level devices withfrom UT Starcom and LG plus the PPC 6700 smartphone.

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:43 AM | Permalink Posted to CDMA | Embarq Wireless | News | Sprint Nextel

The Sanyo SCP-2400 was announced by Sprint today. The 2400 may look like a conventional Sanyo flip-style phone, but the SCP-2400 has some cool parental control options that put the target age range somewhere between 8 and 12 years old. The parental controls make it really easy to program which calls you can send or recieve. Data services can also be restricted -- so parents can avoid surprise charges at the end of the month.

Sanyo 2400 features include:
1.1"×1.4" 65K color screen STN display
Ready Link CDMA push-to-talk
Voice dialing
Speakerphone capable

Sprint is charging $30 for the Sanyo SCP-2400 if you sign up for a new 2-year service agreement. It is scheduled to hit the stores in July.

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:21 PM | Permalink Posted to News | Sanyo | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel has finally launched the BlackBerry 7130e, which is one of the latest 3G enabled handsets from RIM (Research In Motion). Verizon Wireless launched this handset exclusive back in November, 2005.

BlackBerry 7130e features:
EV-DO high-speed (Sprint Mobile Broadband) w/ tethered modem
Bluetooth Wireless
QWERTY keyboard w/ SureType predictive text
Speakerphone -- External
64MB memory built-in

The 7130e is now available through business channels and will be available on Sprint's online website soon. It is expected to be priced at $479 with $150 instant savings and $130 bonus savings for a final pricetag of $199 with discounts.

Sprint also announced that the BlackBerry 7250 (released in 2005) will now be an EV-DO capable device via a software update. The software upgrade is available to customers that purchased the BlackBerry device prior to May 1st.

Continue reading "BlackBerry 7130e launched by Sprint" »

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:03 AM | Permalink Posted to News | Sprint Nextel

After months of speculation about whether Palm would deliver the 700p, again we have another confirmation from TechWorld and the guys at treonauts, that the 700 will be officially announced by Palm tomorrow -- May 15th, 2006. The article, titled "Palm version of Treo 700 arrives," is an additional confirmation that the phone will be announced. CNET has stated that it will be released by both Verizon and Sprint for use on their nationwide high speed EV-DO networks. The 700p is now being referenced as only the second of four devices (700w, 700p, Hollywood, ??) to be released this year by Palm.

The spring launch of the Treo 700p will be just in time for Sprint's new spring Digitopia gala which will show how customers can be melded to the digital life.

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:15 PM | Permalink Posted to News | Rumors | Sprint Nextel | Treo | Verizon

Sprint Nextel has launch released the UTStarcom CDM-120, an entry-level priced CDMA flip phone handset. This cellphone is also expected to be launched on Verizon Wireless very soon.

UTStartcom CDM-120 features include:
Crisp .7x.8 CSTN 65k color display
Built-in Speakerphone
4-way navigation key
Voice activated dialing
SMS Text messaging
Voice Activated Dialing and Voice Recorder

Sprint is now selling the CDM-120 for free when you sign up for a new service activation with $149.99 in instant savings. Not a bad deal for this nice little phone that they are using the catchy advert catch-phrase "Say Hello to a Good Buy" -- sleek design and loaded with features.

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:54 PM | Permalink Posted to CDMA | News | Sprint Nextel | UTStarcom(Audiovox)

Even though Sprint has voiced their intention to limit the number of MVNO partnership agreements, the largest cable companies in the US market are ready to launch their own company-branded mobile service on the Sprint Nextel nationwide network. The deal was originally unveiled last November, and involves the four cable companies Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cox Communications and Brighthouse Networks. This announced partnership is a seperate initiative than the Sprint Enterprise Mobility subsidiary.

The deal Sprint Nextel has made in this joint effort will produce wireless products that feature special software -- cable customers controlling and programming their video recorders remotely, calling to landlines for free, and the ability to watch exclusive programming. Customers will also be able to merge their calendars, address books and voice mail accounts. Adding mobile wireless services to the current cable company offering will give a so-called quadruple play: cable, internet, wireline and wireless phone services.

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:11 PM | Permalink Posted to MVNO | News | Sprint Nextel

[CTIA 2006] -- Motorola has surprisingly unveiled a new black and silver iDEN handset, the i580. iDEN is a network access technology that Nextel uses. Sprint will soon be switching to integrated handsets that take advantage of both iDEN and CDMA (Sprint Power Vision) capabilities. This i580 can take a licking and keep on ticking just like most of the ruggedized Motorola iDEN phones. This black and silver cellphone conforms to "military specifications for blowing rain, dust, shock and vibration."

Motorola i580 features:
Nextel's Push-to-talk
Bluetooth Wireless
1.3 megapixel camera

Motorola will make the i580 available for release during 2Q, 2006 -- No confirmation from Nextel on whether they will sign up for this phone right away.

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:25 PM | Permalink Posted to Motorola | News | Sprint Nextel

Nextel's Cat Trax line of child-tracking phones will be getting a new feature that alerts parents when their child enters a local sexual predator zone. Parents can elect to receive the alert by either text, email, or page.

The new system is being sourced by CATS Communications (CATS = Child Alert Tracking System)and can be had by signing up for a $20 monthly subscription plan for the first phone, and $10 for each additional phone.

Similar Mobile Applications in the market today, like Wherifone and Teen Arrive Alive, also are available to help parents keep tabs on their children's whereabouts and driving habits (going over the speedlimit).

The service is inspired by Joe Dawson, who lives in Jessica Lunsford's hometown of Homosassa, Florida for whom some of the credit can go into getting the Jessica Lunsford Act passed in Congress.

Posted by mobilemodo at 04:47 PM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | News | Sprint Nextel

[CTIA 2006] -- Disney, the parent company of Disney Mobile has finally revealed its plans to launch the self proclaimed Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) marketting itself to parents seeking to keep tabs on what their kids are doing. Disney is aiming to hit the 10-15 year old age group -- very similar to Firefly and soon to be launched Kajeet. The expanded parental controls will espcially be attractive where caps can be set on spending and tracks can be followed via GPS (Global Positioning System).

Two different mobile handsets will be available for prior to the 50 million dollar launch, the already announced Pantech DM-P100 and the new LG DM-L200 phone shown here. These fashionable cellphones will cost about $60 retail, with no rebate or contract offers yet stated by the company or marketing division. Disney Mobile is set to be unleashed in early summer, but you can register now for company updates and the chance to win a free pair of handsets and a 1 year of free service.

More info on LG DM-L200 specs >>

Continue reading "Disney reveals MVNO launch plans, LG DM-L200" »

Posted by mobilemodo at 03:48 PM | Permalink Posted to Disney Mobile | MVNO | News | Sprint Nextel

Mobile ESPN has announced today that they will expand their Retail Distribution of services to include Sprint Retail Stores. The expansion will include over 500 Sprint Stores to be rolled out by July, 2006.

Mobilemodo covered the official launch of Mobile ESPN that occured during SuperBowl XL. Since the February 5th launch, Mobile ESPN has only been sold thru through www.mobileespn.com, Best Buy stores accross the U.S, or by direct phone contact by calling 1-800-GET-ESPN. Mobile ESPN will continue to use these sales channels in addition to the Sprint Retail Stores.

"Incorporating Sprint retail stores into our distribution strategy allows Mobile ESPN to reach customers in an environment strictly committed to meeting their wireless voice and data needs," said ManishJha, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile ESPN. "The availability of Mobile ESPN at Sprint retail stores also provides an unparalleled option for those wireless consumers who are avid sportsfans and want a dedicated sports content experience."

Mobile ESPN is currently being service on Sprint's Network via a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) agreement. Sprint's next generation EVDO network is at the crux of the deal --providing broadband internet download speeds, fast access to Mobile ESPN's sports content, Internet searching, and interactive gaming.

Posted by mobilemodo at 05:27 PM | Permalink Posted to MVNO | News | Sprint Nextel

If you are a parent of a Boost Mobile user it may soon be much easier to keep track of your child no matter where they are hiding. CATS Communications, a maker of mobile software solutions has signed a contract with Sprint Nextel Corporation to be an authorized representation for Boost Mobile -- a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel. Whether CATS Communcations, CAT TRAX software will be launched as a pre-paid option has not yet been determined.

The contract signed will allow CATS (Child Alerts Tracking System) to increase revenue stream by selling the equipment and accounts with the option to potentially implement CAT TRAX on the phones in the future.

Updated -- Also in the News Nextel Cat Trax LBS

Posted by mobilemodo at 04:38 PM | Permalink Posted to Boost Mobile | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel publicly announced the expansion plans for EV-DO ( aka "Power Vision network" using marketing terminology). The network is expected to reach 190 Million people nationwide by the end of the year -- 2006. Starting in 1st Quarter, 2007 Sprint will begin upgrading the CDMA network to EV-DO Revision A and hopes to reach 220M people when the wireless network upgrade is complete Q3, 2007.

EV-DO Revision A boosts speeds -- especially on the upstream:
Revision 0 Revision A
Max download 2Mbps 3.1Mpbs
Avg download 400-700kbps 450-800kbps
Max upload 144kbps 1.8Mbps
Avg upload 70-144kbbs 300-400kbbs

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:38 AM | Permalink Posted to Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel has launched a new Location Based Service (LBS) called "Find It" that will help point mobile users to a location of interest. The Find It mobile application created by InfoSpace, uses existing built-in GPS technology and a back-end database to query for the closest ATM, gas station, or restaurant. After a location has been identified, t can then give you directions from your current GPS coordinates without the need to enter zip codes or information that most people don't know while in an unfamiliar area.

Find It can now be accessed on most of the newer model Sprint Vision phones, and is available for $2.99 per month with unlimited usage. The application was created by InfoSpace.

Posted by mobilemodo at 12:42 AM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel has announced that they have filed a lawsuit against a PI firm that uses deceptive methods to obtain CDR (call detail records), -- who in turn resells them to companies online. The complaint was filed against San Marco & Associates fo St. Petersburg, Florida in which Sprint is requesting both temporary and permanent injunctions. They have been involved in scams or pretexting to obtain personal information using false pretenses to access cell phone logs and phone numbers.

This is not the first lawsuit Sprint has filed -- they also were able to secure permanent injunctions against the parent companies of www.locatecell.com, www.datafind.org, www.onlinePI.com, www.allstarinvestigations.com, www.detectiveusa.com, www.miamiprotection.com and www.privatedetectivesusa.com. Sprint along with Cingular and Verizon have been cracking down on the blatant attempts to undermine the privacy other their subscribers.

Posted by mobilemodo at 09:48 AM | Permalink Posted to News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint announced today that they will be launching customized mobile content for college hoops made-for-mobile collegiate hoops programming to its customers. Sprint will have what’s called “Sprint Tournament Center” – which will be the cornerstone of the exclusive college hoops content.

Along with offering college basketball wireless content, they will also showcase breaking news and tournament analysis. Other features available will be -- complete game scores, reminders and nail clinching alerts for games winding down to the last few minutes.

"Sprint continues to provide innovative, meaningful mobile content to its customers," said Jeff Hallock, vice president of marketing for Sprint. "Mobile phones offer so much more than just voice applications today - and we're literally 'changing the game' for the better with this original content. Sports fans are active, engaged and invested in these games - they want instant and up-to-the-minute access to their teams."

Sprint Original Programming will be produced in a studio by Intersport for the first 2 weeks, and on-site for the final week. The mobile-exclusive content will be free to all Sprint Vision and Power Vision subscribers, or any Nextel Data Access subscriber using a Java enabled wireless phones.

The mobile application will be available on March 13th for download, and can be initiated by texting the word "HOOPS" to the shortcode address of 7777.

Posted by mobilemodo at 09:36 AM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | Mobile Content | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint just announced today a new offering that no other U.S. carrier has ever made available. Sprint will launch a new service dubbed Sprint to Home and Sprint Mobile to Office.

These new wireless services will make it possible for customers to make unlimited voice calls to and from their Sprint wireless mobile with a pre-designated ten-digit home or office number. The kicker is that you must be within range of the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network or National Nextel Network to take advantage of this deal.

"Sprint is the only national carrier to offer its customers the unique convergence and flexible features found in Sprint to Home and Sprint Mobile to Office," said Tony Krueck, vice president, product development and management, for Sprint. "With these options, busy families and mobile professionals alike can experience a new level of convenience and affordability with their communications."

For consumers "Sprint to Home" will make it possible for Sprint wireless subscribers to get unlimited calling to and from their home phone regardless of their local provider. The pricing is currently pegged at $5 per month -- not a bad price to pay to stay connected with family without loosing those precious wireless minutes.

For Sprint Business customers "Mobile to Office" will provide unlimited voice calls to a pre-identified landline business number. Sprint Business customers already hooked up with a monthly wireless plan greater than $49.99 can get the Sprint Mobile to Office option for only $8 per month.

WIth competition in the telecom industry fierce these days, Sprint is trying to hold on to market share while competing with the likes of Verizon and the new AT&T to drive continued loyalty among their customer base.

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:48 AM | Permalink Posted to News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint has unveiled a cool program for some lucky people who have the privilege of getting accepted in the Sprint Ambassador Program This program is a way for Sprint to get direct feedback from consumers. This is essentially an all-access pass to the Sprint Power Vision EVDO network with no strings attached.

You get a free Samsung MM-A920 (sph-a920) that is yours free and clear after the 6 months of free voice and data runs out. You can then download full length songs, games ring tones, and premium content like Sprint TV for free.

The kicker is that you have to be invited with a special registration code. One lucky devil (devout Verizon customer) is writing about his Sprint Ambassador experience and acceptance into the program.

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:48 AM | Permalink Posted to News | Samsung | Sprint Nextel

Sprint is making it easier for their mobile phone customers to share personal media pictures, video, and personalized text with friends, family and colleagues by launching a new mobile application service dubbed Picture Mail Groups.

Sprint has had the Picture Mail Groups project in the oven for quite a while, and will now be launching the preview release this weekend at the Photo Marketing Association tradeshow in Orlando, Florida.

Sprint Nextel's announcement of the new service will ease the process of sharing media captured with its phones. It can be likened to the new service Motorola is launching with the help of Avvenu that we reported on yesterday dubbed "Motorola SHARE". Also, it is similar to Vizrea Snap, a beta service for Nokia S60 phones that was just showcased at the DEMO 2006 Conference in Seattle.

Existing Sprint Picture Mail subscribers will easily be able to create a community picture mail group to invite friends by email address or Sprint PCS number. Community members will then get notified when new content is available.

Picture Mail Groups will launch very soon, most likely during Sprint 2006 (2Q), and will come at no additional fee to current Picture Mail package subscribers.

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:14 AM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | News | Nokia | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel the No. 3 U.S wireless company has just announced results for the 4th quarter 2005. The headlines are ranting about the 55% drop in profits due to the merger, but the real news is that they added 2 million net wireless customers in the quarter keeping pace with Verizon and beating Cingular's net subscriber adds.

We previously reported on the big gains that Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile announced during the last quarter of 2005 which prove a rapidly growing market. Verizon reported a net addition of 2 million, Cingular 1.8 million and T-Mobile 1.4 million which puts Sprint's estimated subscriber base at 47.6 million customers.

The only downside to the announcement from investors perspective was that they did not add as many core Sprint Nextel post pay customers. They acquired 746k customers directly and the rest through pre-pay subscribers using Boost Mobile and other MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) relationships through the likes of Virgin Mobile, Qwest Wireless and ESPN Mobile.

Sprint Nextel's total wireless revenue more than doubled to $8.23 billion from a year earlier. Total new cellular additions greatly exceeded Sprint's October forecast for 1.4 million subscribers in the quarter.

Posted by mobilemodo at 08:46 AM | Permalink Posted to News | Sprint Nextel

Another day, more earnings announcements, today Nextel Partners announced that 2005 was a big year for the company as it added over 415k net subscribers with a 31% growth in service revenue. Nextel Partners Service revenue has grown to almost $1.7 billion with a net income of over $605 million which resulted in an 88% increase in net cash.

John Chapple, Nextel Partners' , CEO and president, said in a statement:

"2005 was a banner year for Nextel Partners. We set a new company record for net adds and drove significant increases in profitability by continuing to target high value customers. I am especially proud of our accomplishments in light of the ongoing merger-related activity during the year and applaud our employees for their unwavering commitment and focus."

Average monthly revenue per subscriber unit (ARPU), has remained well ahead of the traditional rivals Cingular, Verizon, and Sprint at about $68 during $Q, 2005 for a $1 increase year over year.

Nextel Partners was recently scooped up Sprint Nextel for $6.5 billion in a frenzy of litigation and complaints filed by Sprint and Nextel Affiliates.

Posted by mobilemodo at 01:41 PM | Permalink Posted to News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel just announced that they have hit the 1 Millionth music download mark through their Groove Mobile linked Music Store. Sprint was the first mobile phone carrier to provide Mobile Music downloads and is the first telecom carrier to reach this milestone. Verizon's VCAST service just launched in January.

The Sprint Music Store news release did not give specific details showing how many songs were paid for, and how many were given away free as part of the "5 downloads for free" promotion that launched the service.

Sprint opened the doors to the first instant over the air "Sprint Music Store" on October 24th 2005, and achieved the 1M song download milestone in about 4 months. The single song download price is still pegged at $2.50 per song, which is 51 cents more than Verizon's $1.99 VCAST, and $1.51 more than Apple's iTunes $.99 cent music download list price. Apple is currently counting down to a milestone of its own, 1 billion song downloads.

Posted by mobilemodo at 02:18 PM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | Mobile Music | News | Sprint Nextel

IPWireless revealed plans announced today that Sprint Nextel will be the 1st operator globally to start testing the next generation of IPWireless' mobile broadband technology known as LTE (Long Term Evolution). The official launch of the testing by Sprint will begin in March, 2006.
Recently here at mobilemodo we told you about the Sprint's plans in 2008 for Mobile TV along with a $10M investment that was made to assist IPWireless in developing next generation Mobile TV broadband capabilities.

The core LTE technology delivers peak speeds up to 29Mbps and will be tested as part of the ongoing UMTS TD-CDMA trials in Washington, D.C. metro. In essence, the next generation of UMTS TD-CDMA technology will allow a progression to the LTE standard from CDMA and TD-CDMA. The performance characteristics being designed include very high data rates that support very high speed mobility on an IP centric network.

"Having a common platform with Europe and Asia in the 2.5GHz band would bring a number of benefits," said Barry West, chief technology officer at Sprint Nextel. "The potential of IPWireless' solution to deliver a viable path to the Long Term Evolution of UMTS is relevant to our analysis of candidate technologies."

Sprint's goal of the IPWireless technology trials will be to test all of the subscriber services, including fast Internet broadband access for PDAs, laptops, handheld devices along with a wide spectrum of Wireless Interactive Multimedia Services like mobile video streaming, video conferencing, document collaboration and online gaming. The test will allow Sprint to fully test the gamut of products for both consumer and business users in correlation with mobile multimedia content partners.

Posted by mobilemodo at 08:37 AM | Permalink Posted to 3G | Mobile Content | News | Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel plans to unveil some Mobile TV goodness by rolling out a special network to handle mass scale media transmissions in 2008. Being the first major wireless phone carrier to deliver mobile TV over a cellular network, Sprint Nextel, says that they plan to launch a high-powered network for wireless mobile media services like TV and music over cell phones in 2008.

Sprint Nextel claims that although other competitors such as Verizon Wireless will make a noble attempt, Sprint's technology will be so powerful that it will have TV services that will be “two years in advance of the other U.S. carriers.”

While Sprint Nextel already has mobile TV over its third generation (3G) cellular network with MobiTV, demand will soon be outstripped by supply. Showing great interest in the development of next generation solutions, Sprint Nextel recently made a strategic investment with IPWireless to work on Mobile TV that is used on unpaired 3G spectrum.

All of these maneuvers will precipitate the move to what is being dubbed as "4G". Depending on the timing of the new rollout strategy for 4G, Sprint may also have to look into Qualcomm’s MediaFLO or Modeo’s DVB-H networks.

Posted by mobilemodo at 08:21 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (1) Posted to Mobile Content | News | Sprint Nextel

During the Superbowl today, Mobile ESPN was officially launched with the ad slogan "Welcome to sports heaven".

Mobile ESPN will feature the flagship $199 Sanyo MVP cell phone to its first wireless subscribers who can now signup for service at Best Buy or by calling 1-800-GET-ESPN.

Mobile ESPN is a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that uses the upgraded Sprint Nextel Power Vision EvDO network and coverage will commensurate with the ongoing rollout of EvDO to major metropolitan areas in the U.S. during 2006-2007.

Posted by mobilemodo at 08:40 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (3) Posted to MVNO | Mobile Content | News | Sprint Nextel

ESPN will be announcing the official brand launch of their new MVNO wireless service dubbed Mobile ESPN on Superbowl Sunday.

The first phone offering will be the Sanyo MVP which will be an ESPN-branded version of Sprint Nextel's MM-5600 that adds EV-DO high-speed data, similar to Sanyo MM-9000.

Mobile ESPN will make full use of Sprint's new EV-DO network to offer customizable ESPN content - including real-time scores, breaking news, commentary and analysis; fantasy sports information and team management; video and MP3 audio programming - on ESPN-branded phones.

Posted by mobilemodo at 01:48 PM | Permalink Posted to MVNO | News | Sprint Nextel

As the exclusive wireless sponsor of the NFL, Sprint Nextel is ready to launch a smorgasbord of mobile multimedia NFL content for Super Bowl XL in Detroit on Sunday.

Here is a list of the Sprint mobile content highlights for the big game:
Live press conference and halftime coverage on Sprint TV Live (Channel 9)
Exclusive Music Choice "7 Days of Stones" audio and video content on Sprint TV (Channel 33)
Sprint Music Store exclusive downloads of Rolling Stones music for $2.50 a song
Pittsburgh and Seattle marquee player logo graphics and Music Tone Ringers
Scores, stats, highlights, and injury reports on NFL Mobile live during the game
Vote for Super Bowl MVP on wireless devices or superbowl.com

So get our your new Sprint Samsung A900 Power broadband EV DO cell phone, sit back, and enjoy the game. .

Posted by mobilemodo at 10:42 AM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | News | Sprint Nextel

Mobile ESPN has announced that they will be launching the Sanyo MVP wireless handset as the phone to get the company off the ground and running.

Mobile ESPN is a new Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) that uses the upgraded Sprint Nextel EvDO network.
In complementary fashion, Sprint Nextel recently signed an exclusive 5-year deal with the NFL to deliver mobile content.

Sanyo MVP handset features:
High Speed Data Access (EvDO)
1.3 Megapixel Camera (with Flash)
The "E" Button one touch access to
Camcorder
MP3/AAC Music Player
Speakerphone
QVGA (240x320 pixels) LCD Screen
Video
3D Graphics

ESPN Mobile has released news to the press that they will launch a huge advertising campaign spotlighting the Sanyo MVP mobile during the 2006 Super Bowl XL. When could their be a more fitting time for the launch?

Posted by mobilemodo at 07:13 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (3) Posted to MVNO | News | Sprint Nextel

Customers of Sprint now have three new ways to use their phones to meet, greet and chat with people across the street or across the globe.

Today Sprint announced the availability of Jumbuck Island from Jumbuck Entertainment, The Lounges from AirG, and Webdate Mobile from Trilibis Mobile for Sprint PCS Vision(SM) and Sprint Power Vision(SM) subscribers. Each service features an exclusive element available only through Sprint.

Jumbuck Island
Jumbuck Island is an innovative new 3D wireless chat service, exclusive to Sprint for the first three months. The first of its kind on wireless phones in the United States, Jumbuck Island brings elements from massively popular multiplayer PC games and Internet chatrooms into one service. Users of the service can customize their appearance and choose from different avatars to represent themselves. Once on the island, users can wander around the different areas, including beaches, cruise ships and waterfalls, and send public messages or chat with other users in private one-on-ones. Jumbuck Island is available for $3.99 per month.

“We are delighted to launch Jumbuck Island, the world’s first massively multiplayer chatroom environment, on Sprint PCS Vision and Power Vision networks,” said Adrian Risch, founder and CEO of Jumbuck. “Users can select a cool avatar and chat in exotic locations that feature beautiful beaches, pool parties, hidden waterfalls and cruise ships.”

Continue reading "Sprint Nextel Launches 3 New Mobile Chat Services" »

Posted by mobilemodo at 11:22 PM | Permalink Posted to Mobile Applications | News | Sprint Nextel

After Cingular reported earlier this week 1.8 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2005, the other three largest U.S. cellular operators Thursday all reported nice increases.

In quarterly financial reports, T-Mobile USA reported 1.4 million new customers for the fourth quarter of 2005 and Verizon Wireless reported two million new subscribers. Sprint has stated they will release 4th Q results on Feb 22.

The preliminary results of the quarter for all mobile carriers so far, means that Cingular remains the largest cellular carrier in the U.S. with 54.1 million subscribers. Verizon Wireless is in second place with more than 51 million mobile subscriptions followed closely by Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile a more distant fourth.

The fact that Verizon Wireless was able to keep pace with new subscribers topping 7.5 million in 2005, can't be underscored given that fact that they were impacted by the pullout from Radio Shack as reported earlier this month.

Posted by mobilemodo at 08:54 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (4) Posted to Cingular | News | Sprint Nextel | T-Mobile | Verizon