NEWS BRIEFS September 2004

Like many other companies Sprint Corp. has stopped actively marketing residential local and long-distance calling plans in 36 states and the District of Columbia known as Sprint Complete Sense, which relied on the embattled UNE Platform. The company recorded 336,000 Sprint Complete Sense customers at the end of the first quarter, the most recent figure disclosed, according to a spokesman, who says Sprint never launched a mass marketing campaign to promote the calling plans and primarily sold the packages to existing customers. Sprint will continue to support existing customers, he says, and provide Sprint Complete Sense to people who request it.

TelePlus Wireless Corp., a subsidiary of Canada-based TelePlus Enterprises Inc., has signed an agreement with Consumer Cellular Inc., an AT&T Wireless partner, to run TelePlus’ mobile operation on the AT&T Wireless network. Among the rate plans included will be unlimited weeknights and weekend minutes, free longdistance calls within the U.S., and no contracts, the company said. Consumer Cellular, a wireless reseller based in Lake Oswego, Ore., introduced a wholesale program early this year designed to help companies like TelePlus offer private-label wireless services without operating a network.

Speakeasy, a national ISP, has unveiled a broadband service that will free high-speed Internet customers from having to install a local phone line. In concert with broadband provider Covad Communications Group Inc., Speakeasy has introduced “OneLink” for consumers and businesses, a dedicated loop ADSL product with an introductory price of $55.95 per month. Speakeasy says it introduced the product to meet the needs of customers who need a broadband connection, but do not want to install a local phone line.

Covad also has disclosed a partnership with Netopia Inc., an equipment provider, to offer consumers and small businesses a broadband solution combining DSL and wireless highspeed Internet access. Covad has introduced a wireless solution that allows consumers and small businesses to wirelessly access the Internet indoors up to 300 feet away from a wireless access point and DSL connection. The solution includes built-in wireless security and firewall features and allows customers to access the Internet wirelessly on different floors.

Free Flow Technologies, a telecommunications provider to businesses, will provide VoIP in Washington D.C. through an agreement with Nuvio Corp. Under a private-label program, Nuvio will handle all aspects of billing, customer equipment provisioning and support for Free Flow Technologies.

Joseph Nacchio, the former CEO of Qwest Communications International Inc., has returned to the telecom industry, investing in privately held BCN Telecom Inc., the Associated Press reported. BCN’s CEO, Richard M. Boudria, has known Nacchio for about 20 years and the men are neighbors in Mendham, N.J., the AP said. “He’s not involved in the day-to-day, but we have an active board, and certainly Joe plays a key role in the strategy and planning and governance of the company,” the AP quoted Boudria.