Sprint launches business CLEC services

Sprint is bringing business services into its new CLEC group, announcing it will begin packaging voice and long-distance for small business customers this week, adding wireless to the bundle in October and eventually launching DSL.

As with its local consumer service, the new business plan will be available in 34 states, covering 80% of the U.S. population, and will leverage its partnership with Z-Tel to provision unbundled network element platform lines from the RBOCs. Called Sprint Complete Sense for Business, the service will range in price from $34.95 to $69.95 for unlimited local service and different combinations of long-distance minutes and enhanced features.

Despite being the last large competitor to the local UNE-P business, Sprint said it has a big advantage over fellow IXCs turned CLECs AT&T and MCI in that it can offer wireless service, which will be particularly attractive to small businesses, a Sprint spokeswoman said.

Sprint will focus exclusively on small office/home office customers, those using up to three lines. While it does plan to expand into data and other enhanced features, Sprint has no plans yet to start offering T-1 or other more advanced access services to larger customers, the spokeswoman said.--Kevin Fitchard