SBC Communications Inc. on Tuesday announced plans to install approximately 1,500 Wi-Fi hotspots at stores owned by UPS by the end of the year.
The San Antonio, Texas-based phone giant disclosed its FreedomLink Wi-Fi service would be made available at thousands of UPS and Mail Boxes Etc. stores, marking a strategy to target such mobile professionals as small business owners and sales representatives.
With help from Wayport Inc., SBC says it also will offer customers wired broadband access in addition to wireless speeds 50 to 100 times faster than a dialup connection. SBC, the second largest local phone company, says installations will continue through 2005.
SBC disclosed plans last year to install more than 20,000 FreedomLink hotspots in 6,000 venues over the next three years throughout its 13-state territory and develop an integrated Wi-Fi and third-generation wireless service. Along with BellSouth Corp., SBC is a joint owner in the country’s second largest mobile operator, Cingular Wireless.
Part of SBC’s strategy entails roaming on other Wi-Fi networks. SBC has announced its first roaming agreement with Wayport. Beginning in the spring, SBC customers can access Internet services in roughly 800 locations across the country within airports, hotels and restaurants, according to the phone company.
