RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC – March 24, 2010: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced support for Sprint 3G and 4G wireless connectivity in the U.S. across Lenovo’s line of ThinkPad laptops. All of Lenovo’s ThinkPad laptop models are 3G-enabled, and Lenovo offers the largest selection of 4G-enabled laptop models, including the recently introduced ThinkPad Edge laptops built for small to medium businesses.
“Adding Sprint to our network of supported carriers gives customers even more 3G choice and expanded connectivity points with the fast speeds of Sprint 4G,” said Dilip Bhatia, executive director, ThinkPad Product Marketing, Lenovo. “Demand for constant, fast wireless technology has become an expectation, and it’s now mission critical for doing business today.”
ABI Research predicts there will be 2.5 billion connected data-centric devices worldwide in 2014. For business customers, wireless technology has grown increasingly important, requiring more bandwidth for live streaming video, on-demand applications and virtual meetings. Sprint is building out its 4G capabilities to meet the next generation’s data needs with service already available in 27 markets across the U.S., including Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia and Seattle. Newly announced markets that will see 4G in 2010 are Cincinnati, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Miami, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City and St. Louis. Earlier this year Sprint also announced that it plans to launch 4G in Boston, Denver, Kansas City, Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., in 2010.
“Our business is about powering businesses through voice and data solutions, now and into the future,” said Danny Bowman, president, Integrated Solutions, Sprint. “It’s more than just the quality of the network though. It’s about having a broad range of devices that are certified to operate optimally on Sprint’s Now Network, and adding a trusted brand like Lenovo ThinkPad laptops gives businesses an unparalleled technology solution.”
Lenovo makes connecting to Sprint 3G and 4G simple. The laptop comes with a SIM card already installed. Lenovo’s Access Connection tool helps users easily connect to the wireless network and is the only tool available from a PC maker that can manage both 3G and 4G network connections1.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
About Sprint
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving more than 48 million customers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visitwww.sprint.com.
1Accessing the Sprint 3G or 4G network requires a data plan from Sprint. Sprint offers 3G/4G data plans for consumers and businesses at $59.99 monthly (price plans exclude surcharges and taxes).
