Sprint offers wireless broadband Net service

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Sprint Corp. unveiled its arrival onto the wireless broadband scene yesterday, more than a year and a half after one of its top rivals, Verizon Wireless, started offering broadband Internet service.

Sprint plans to provide mobile broadband service to about 150 million people by early next year. The service will be available in business districts and airports in 34 markets by the end of this month. It already came online this month in 17 of those markets, including Kansas City.

The Overland Park, Kan.-based company said rates will start at $40 per month for a limited-access plan, and unlimited access will cost business customers about $80 a month. Verizon Wireless began offering its service in October 2003 in San Diego and Washington, D.C., then expanded the service into other regions soon thereafter. It offers its wireless broadband service in 50 markets.

Cingular Wireless offers a high-speed service in six cities and plans to add at least 10 more markets by the end of the year.

Sprint shares fell 6 cents to $24.95 on the New York Stock Exchange.