OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- With millions of machine-to-machine (M2M) and embedded mobile computing devices operating on the Now Network(TM), Sprint (NYSE: S) Emerging Solutions unit continues to expand its diverse base of strategic machine-to-machine (M2M) partnerships, while offering a unique combination of 3G and 4G capabilities for businesses and consumers from a national carrier. Since its launch in October 2009, Emerging Solutions has expanded its substantial ecosystem of M2M and mobile computing partners with the addition of Axeda, Lenovo and Skiff as new strategic partners, along with expanded capabilities from previously established strategic partners Top Global, Walsh Wireless and ZTE USA.
"Emerging Solutions combines technology and applications to help business customers develop transformative business models and generate a rapid return on investment," said Danny Bowman, president, Sprint Integrated Solutions Group. "We do this by bringing together a unique constellation of capabilities, including a growing set of partners with wide-ranging and specialized capabilities, a broad array of devices and applications, an industry-leading open approach that includes 10 years of experience in certifying non-Sprint-branded devices on our network, our dependable 3G network, and the first 4G capability from a national wireless carrier."
Emerging Solutions has developed a diverse partner ecosystem that allows Sprint to enable M2M and mobile computing solutions across a variety of critical dimensions. These partners include aggregators (such as Omnilink, Numerex, Aeris, M2M DataSmart and Qualcomm) and OEMs (such as Digi, Multi-Tech, Sierra, Sixnet and Top Global). In addition, Sprint joined with partner Skiff, LLC, at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year to preview the Skiff Reader, the first e-reader optimized for newspaper and magazine content. Sprint has a multi-year agreement to provide 3G connectivity for a variety of Skiff-enabled mobile devices in the United States. Sprint has also recently added several new partners to further expand its M2M and mobile computing offering.
Three partners have enhanced Sprint's ability to assist business customers in a variety of industries as they build and support transformative business models using 3G and 4G mobile broadband:
Axeda - Sprint and Axeda, a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) company, recently announced an alliance to make it easier, quicker and more cost-efficient for businesses to take M2M solution ideas from concept to completion and deliver connected products using the Sprint 3G network and the Axeda(R) Platform. Sprint and Axeda provide a highly secure, scalable and communication-optimized platform to build applications - allowing companies to focus on providing a business solution, not the enabling technology. Easy deployment through cloud-based services provide for faster time to market with no infrastructure costs.
Lenovo - Business PC users now have a new option to access 3G and 4G mobile broadband-speed Internet via their ThinkPad laptops through a new alliance between Sprint and Lenovo. Under the agreement, Sprint's dependable nationwide 3G network and 4G service - the nation's only wireless 4G network from a national carrier - is available on a full range of Lenovo ThinkPad laptops. The laptops are sold through www.lenovo.com/wimax and business partners.
Walsh Wireless - Sprint and Walsh Wireless recently announced availability of a solution developed to meet the growing market for Usage-based Insurance (UBI) - the Walsh Wireless Data Logger, powered exclusively by Sprint 3G Mobile Broadband.
Sprint Emerging Solutions has also partnered with two companies which offer competitive products and capabilities on a domestic and global scale:
Top Global - The first-ever Gobi embedded router, the Top Global MB7900, uses Qualcomm's GobiTM technology to give customers the freedom of secure mobile Internet connectivity on the Sprint 3G Mobile Broadband Network, as well as virtually anywhere in the world via Sprint roaming partner networks1, just by reprogramming the software.
ZTE USA - This partnership with module provider ZTE enables Sprint to offer a wide range of value solutions - making Sprint attractive to a wide variety of M2M and embedded device companies. ZTE Corporation is China's largest publicly traded telecommunications equipment provider and has a tradition of transparency and award-winning governance practices.
These companies join such high-profile Sprint partners as Drive.Cam, Ford Motor Company (Ford Work Solutions), M2M DataSmart, Numerex, Skiff and XATA.
"M2M and mobile computing are opening a vast field of growth opportunities for businesses of all kinds," said Wayne Ward, vice president, Emerging Solutions, Sprint. "The mission of Emerging Solutions is to provide the wide set of expertise, solutions and open network resources that businesses need to develop effective M2M business models and implement them quickly in the market. Our commitment is to simplify the complexity for business customers by delivering the right network solution, the right distribution channel and the right support infrastructure to bring solutions to market quickly and with quality."
To support its M2M partners and customers, Sprint Emerging Solutions group emphasizes an open approach to both devices and applications. Sprint's partners benefit from the ability to certify devices on the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network through the company's Open Device Initiative.
Today Sprint is also announcing a significantly streamlined M2M certification process for certain module suppliers to Sprint. The new process enables both developers and application providers to significantly improve their speed to market for their equipment and applications. Novatel Wireless, Inc. (NASDAQ: NVTL) and Sierra Wireless, long-term suppliers of Sprint data products, are the first to use this self-certification method.
Sprint has more than 10 years of experience in working with vendors to provision non-Sprint-branded devices to operate on its networks, as well as extensive experience in operating multiple platforms and assets. As part of its open platforms approach, Sprint supports applications innovation by providing applications developers with more collaborative tools and network access than any other carrier. Sprint has exposed more than 300 APIs (application programmer interfaces) for developers and the company's developer sandbox offers access to 4G as well as 3G tools, along with access to an extensive line of devices, including Android and multiple Windows Mobile and RIM BlackBerry devices. Sprint also provides the opportunity to access third-party voice services, including the new voicemail feature in Google Voice(TM).
M2M and Mobile Computing
M2M devices deliver capabilities to multiple industries and include such applications as remote monitoring, asset tracking, fleet management, telematics, automation and control, automated meter reading, SmartGrid initiatives, point-of-sale/ATM and wireless routing. Mobile computing devices, together with traditional consumer electronics and devices with broadband access, offer increased durability, hardware/software integration, simple setup and lower support costs for customers and partners.
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