Telecom Lead America: Sprint and Sierra Wireless will
launch a device to combine 4G connections over LTE and WiMAX networks.
Sierra Wireless Tri-Fi Hotspot provides speed and
coverage to Sprint customers as the upcoming 4G LTE network expands and allows
families, small businesses and traveling co-workers to share high-speed
connections.
Customers will be able to purchase a Sierra Wireless
Tri-Fi Hotspot for $99.99 (excluding taxes) after a $50 mail-in-rebate with a
two-year service agreement.
Sprint data plans for the device start at $34.99 for 3GB
of combined 3G/4G data while on the Sprint network. Customers can choose the
$49.99 plan with 6GB of combined 3G/4G data or $79.99 for 12GB of 3G/4G data,
which deliver 20 percent more data for the same price as AT&T and Verizon’s
similar plans.
The device enables customers to extend their Sprint 3G/4G
experience beyond their laptops to up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as
cameras, music players, personal media players and portable game consoles.
Its microSD slot allows teams to share files and
presentations with network storage, and it can be used as a digital media
server. It is simple to set up and connect with no software required.
Sprint and Sierra Wireless are once again giving
customers the flexibility to enjoy 4G performance in any Sprint 4G WiMAX market
along with our upcoming 4G LTE markets or Sprint’s reliable 3G network when
outside a 4G area,” said David Owens, vice president-Product Development,
Sprint.
Sierra Wireless Tri-Fi Hotspot offers up to eight hours
of use and up to eight weeks on standby.
The Tri-Fi Hotspot ensures Sprint customers can reliably
make use of the best network connection available to them in a given location
and continue to enjoy the freedom of mobile broadband virtually anywhere they
go,” said Dan Schieler, senior vice president, Mobile Computing for Sierra
Wireless.