Wireless Web concept settles in

While Sprint PCS naturally might face some kinks on the marketing end of its Wireless Web offering, the technical side appears solid. The operator announced last week that 3Com's InterWorking Function, which links the wireless network with the landline network, is one component that enables the service. The 3Com software and hardware platform is installed at each Sprint PCS switch and allows access to the Internet, corporate intranets and the public network.

The platform includes 3Com's Quick Net Connect feature. "It enables mobile users to bypass the wireline network and connect to the Net without the use of a traditional modem," said Ben Cardwell, director of wireless product management at 3Com.

Sprint PCS' Wireless Web service should be more successful than some other data offerings, such as cellular digital packet data, for several reasons, including Sprint PCS' nationwide digital coverage that operates over the same frequency everywhere. Although initially offering only 14.4 kb/s speeds, the service soon will be upgraded to 64 kb/s.

However, the operator may be forced to tweak its pricing plans to find success. Although the concept of bundling data minutes into plans should be successful, some of Sprint PCS' bundles end up charging customers 50% more than the regular plans for voice minutes, said Callie Pottorf, wireless and mobile communications research analyst for IDC. "I think Sprint will learn, and we'll see lower prices," she said. Sprint PCS' lowest-cost option - an extra $10 per month for 50 data minutes and 50 Yahoo! minutes - is the most likely to attract the consumer market for now, she said.