Sprint 4G WiMAX Roaming With Jamaica And Taiwan Agreed
Sprint has inked 4G roaming agreements with Jamaican carrier Digicel and Taiwanese carrier Global Mobile, meaning select Sprint devices will be able to take advantage of the high-speed WiMAX networks if travelling abroad. Only certain devices – those that use the Sprint SmartView Connection Manager – will support the roaming, which basically means USB modems but not, it seems, 4G-enabled smartphones like the HTC EVO 4G.
Sprint is yet to confirm roaming fees – or, indeed, when the roaming agreement will go live – but has said that it will be offering a 24-hour "Daypass" for unlimited service. Still, it's likely to be more expensive than regular domestic WiMAX access, given the price gouging usually implicit in overseas data use.
Press Release:
Sprint Inks International 4G Roaming Agreements With Digicel and Global Mobile to Establish Global Ecosystem4G Customers Traveling Abroad Will Soon be Able to Roam on 4G Networks in Jamaica and Taiwan
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), December 08, 2010 – Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced that it has signed international 4G roaming agreements with Digicel in Jamaica and Global Mobile in Taiwan, leveraging the global ecosystem for 4G services to enable travelers on the go. Select Sprint devices that operate with the Sprint SmartViewSM Connection Manager will automatically detect the Digicel and Global Mobile networks, giving customers the option to connect and roam with an unlimited 24 hour Daypass. Pricing and launch details of the agreements are still to be determined.
"With these agreements, Sprint is kicking down the door to 4G international roaming and taking a first step toward allowing people to enjoy 4G service wherever they are around the globe," said Matt Carter, president-Sprint 4G. "We've taken the 4G leadership position in the U.S. and are now proud to partner with visionaries Digicel and Global Mobile to solidify our international leadership role."
The Sprint SmartView Connection Manager allows users to create a high-speed Internet connection for their computer anywhere on the Sprint 3G or 4G networks or on compatible international networks with a Mobile Broadband Device, such as the Sprint 3G/4G USB Modem 250U by Sierra Wireless or Sprint 3G/4G U600 USB Modem. Sprint customers traveling to Jamaica and Taiwan will be able to access the Digicel and Global Mobile 4G networks for mobile downloads, video chat capabilities and turbo-charged Web browsing at 4G speeds.
Sprint SmartView features:
One-click activation for supported devices
GPS features and services are available at the touch of a button for GPS-capable devices
Easy connections to Sprint Wi-Fi networks around the globe, available on a pay-as-you-go basis
Access to Sprint support services and tools via the Application section
Enterprise custom configuration available – business customers, please contact your Sprint account manager for details
"The response to our Digicel 4G broadband service – launched in August this year – has been phenomenal, and customers across the island are enjoying the benefits of Jamaica's fastest wireless broadband," said Mark Linehan, CEO of Digicel Jamaica. "We are happy to welcome Sprint's customers to Jamaica and trust they will enjoy the roaming experience delivered by Digicel's mobile and broadband networks as much as they enjoy all that Jamaica has to offer."
"We are honored to be a part of this global collaboration," said Rosemary W. Ho, CEO of Global Mobile. "This agreement represents another major milestone in asserting Global Mobile as the leading 4G broadband operator in Taiwan. I want to welcome our international roaming customers to experience the same innovative quadruple play service offering enjoyed by our customers. I look forward to expanding this partnership to other operators around the world and to making 'Worldwide Interoperability' a reality."
Sprint 4G can be found in 68 markets1 across the United States, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City and Washington, D.C. Sprint 4G plans to light up several new major markets, including San Francisco and Denver, by the end of this month.
Sprint is delivering the power of 4G as the majority shareholder of Clearwire, the independent company that is building the WiMAX network. For more information, visit www.sprint.com/4G.
About Digicel
After more than nine years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has more than 11 million customers across its 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific. The company is renowned for delivering best value, best service and best network.
Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and Pacific sports teams, including the Special Olympics teams throughout these regions. Digicel sponsors the West Indies cricket team and is also the title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Championships. In the Pacific, Digicel is the proud sponsor of several national rugby teams and also sponsors the Vanuatu cricket team.
Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti and Papua New Guinea that focus on educational, cultural and social development programs.
In 2004, Digicel developed Digicel Rising Stars – an annual talent show to support aspiring young music artists in the Caribbean. The show has spanned the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, ranking as one of the top-rated shows.
Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and its markets comprise Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Nauru, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Vanuatu. Digicel also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barts in the Caribbean. Visit www.digicelpacific.com or www.digicelgroup.com for more information.
About Global Mobile Corporation
Global Mobile is a 4G pioneer in the digital industry value chain, integrating various triple play contents, with all types of communication at home, and totally new fourth-generation wireless communications, all in one click. Global Mobile is a strong group consisting of industry experts with extensive knowledge and experience. They understand consumer needs and have designed a CPE system that is as easy to use as a personal computer.
Taiwan currently lacks a content platform that bridges the commercial and public sectors. Also lacking are an impetus for creativity, a standardized distribution and broadcasting format, and a unified payment method. It is our company's goal to provide such a standardized platform to allow our customers to use WiMAX wireless broadband – anytime, anywhere – on any device.
For more information, please visit the Global Mobile website at http://www.G1.com.tw.