OmniSky Offers Rebates on Minstrel S, Goes Retail

In their official announcement yesterday of their support for the new Minstrel S Wireless Springboard Modem, OmniSky repeated that users of the modem must have a Platinum or Prism Visor in order to use their wireless service. It still isn't clear exactly why OmniSky/Minstrel S users must use the new Visors, as Al Hernandez, spokesperson for Novatel Wireless, has said, "The Minstrel S Wireless Springboard Modem works with all existing Visors."

In any case, OmniSky is offering a $300 rebate to people who buy a Platinum or Prism, the Minstrel S, and also activate the OmniSky service by January 31, 2001. Regularly, the modem costs $300 and the service is $40 per month.

Starting in mid-November, OmniSky will be available in nearly 1400 stores through consumer electronics retailers, online stores, and direct marketers including AT&T Stores, CDW, CompUSA, Datavision, Franklin Covey, Fry's Electronics, J&R Computer World, Micro Center, PC Connection, RCS Computer Experience, Staples, and Amazon.com. The service will, of course, still be available from the OmniSky Web site.