US : Customers seeking to reap the benefits of reduced costs, faster-to-market connectivity and secure business continuity can now take advantage of a wireless wide area network (WAN) solution featuring the Cisco 3G Wireless WAN High-Speed WAN Interface Card (HWIC) ( above ) now available from Sprint (NYSE:S) via its business sales channels. Unlike similar offerings in the marketplace, Sprint is offering value-added components and is the only carrier to offer customers a choice of leveraging wireless connectivity, with enhanced security, directly to a customer's Multiple Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Virtual Private Network (VPN)-based network via Sprint's Data Link network or through a wireless solution leveraging the public Internet.

Jointly developed by Sprint and Cisco and for use with applicable Cisco Integrated Services Routers (ISRs), the Cisco 3G Wireless WAN HWIC solution is part of the Cisco Internet Protocol Next-Generation Network (IP NGN) architecture and provides high-speed wireless data access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network for primary access to an IP/MPLS network solution or to provide true redundancy for high-availability corporate networking solutions. Sprint has the largest mobile broadband network reaching more than 208 million people and more than 11,600 cities and 1,000 airports.

Sprint expects that a vast majority of its mobile broadband network will be upgraded to faster EV-DO Rev. A by year-end. With support for EV-DO Rev. A technology, Sprint business customers utilizing the Cisco 3G Wireless WAN HWIC solution can take advantage of increased data speeds, flexible deployments, managed service and enhanced security connection to Sprint's IP or MPLS VPN networks. The solution is also backwards compatible with EV-DO Rev. 0 and 1XRTT networks in areas where Sprint EV-DO Rev. A coverage might not be available.

As compared to managing two disparate networks, the customer now has a choice of a fully integrated wireless and wireline solution to support their IP/MPLS networking needs. Benefits include:

"Given our wireless data expertise and IP leadership, Sprint is uniquely positioned to offer this integration of wireless and wireline, which offers the promise of reduced costs and increased efficiency," said Tony Krueck, vice president of product management and development for Sprint. "This full service solution combines security, data and router management services into a single cost-reducing platform and will be attractive to many customers including those using traditional wireline solutions as well as many industries and public sector organizations.

The Cisco 3G Wireless WAN HWIC solution takes advantage of the Sprint Global MPLS VPN, a scalable platform that includes robust network security and redundancy measures, flexible access options and integration with Sprint wireless services to provide businesses with high-performing access to their information and applications whenever they need it.

At launch, Sprint is also offering the Cisco 3G Wireless WAN HWIC solution as an extension of its managed network services and customer equipment support portfolio so customers can benefit from no-hassle implementation and managed services while experiencing increased reliability and security for their data. Customers working with Sprint for its Cisco 3G Wireless WAN HWIC solution will have a choice of service plans including unlimited and usage-based service plans. The unlimited plans alleviate cost concerns for those businesses by providing a standard monthly charge independent of the monthly usage.

"Sprint is at the forefront of advanced 3G services delivery for the 'Empowered Wireless Branch,'" said Ian Pennell, senior vice president of access technology routing group at Cisco. "By incorporating the Cisco 3G Wireless WAN HWIC solution directly into its small- and medium-sized business and enterprise branch office routers, Cisco has provided the flexibility, scalability, ease of installation and management necessary for Sprint customers to maximize the return on network investments. We encourage Sprint customers to contact their local Sprint representative today and discuss availability and service plan options."

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