EarthLink Wireless to Offer Treo 650

Posted By: Ryan Tuesday, April 26, 2005 11:31:32 AM

EarthLink Wireless and palmOne today announced the availability of the Treo 650 smartphone. This powerful multifeatured mobile device is built on the Treo 600's award-winning design and features EarthLink's exclusive TotalAccess software for users on the move.

The all-in-one device is pre-bundled with EarthLink's exclusive TotalAccess software, designed to deliver a range of personalized content to the Treo 650. TotalAccess software includes server-side spamBlocker and Virus Blocker, which eliminate virtually 100 percent of spam and protects the users' inbox from unwanted viruses. EarthLink Wireless offers wireless, over-the-air synchronization between the Treo 650 and EarthLink's server to keep the users' address book updated without cradle-based synchronization. In addition, users can get fast and easy access to email, information, and favorite features in a simple, integrated interface. Accessing EarthLink's Personal Start Page on the Internet allows users to set up customized content to be delivered wirelessly, such as news, stock prices, sports scores, weather, directions, maps and more.

"We are delighted to offer our customers the powerful Treo 650 smartphone, representing the latest in wireless technology," said Brent Cobb, executive vice president of Strategy and Business Development at SK-EarthLink, and general manager of the EarthLink Wireless service line. "We are confident that the full-featured Treo 650 coupled with EarthLink's award-winning services, content and its exclusive TotalAccess software will provide mobile professionals with everything they need to be productive."

EarthLink Wireless offers a range of services and solutions to help customers get the most out of their Treo 650. A dedicated team of EarthLink Wireless representatives also is available 24/7 to provide technical support and customer service, while offering advice on advanced operations of the device.

With a Palm OS organizer for improved management of Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Memos and more, Treo 650 users can schedule appointments and manage contacts and to-do lists while on active phone calls, making it the essential device for users on the move. With Bluetooth wireless technology, users can easily synchronize their information with a compatible Bluetooth computer. Data also can be synchronized via a cradle and cable, or shared with other Palm Powered devices through the infrared beam feature. Users can also personalize the device with accessories and more than 20,000 Palm OS applications offered through the extensive Palm OS developer community.

"We are excited to work with EarthLink Wireless, our first MVNO [mobile virtual network operator], to expand the Treo 650's reach to new customers and channels," said Tim Roper, vice president of U.S. carrier sales at palmOne. "EarthLink's exclusive software combined with the Treo 650's advanced range of services makes it the ideal smartphone for EarthLink Wireless' techno-centric customers who demand the best in innovative and life-enhancing technology."

The Treo 650 from EarthLink Wireless operates on the CDMA/1xRTT wireless network with nationwide coverage in the United States. It is scheduled to be commercially available in late May for a suggested retail price of $599 before rebate and can be used in conjunction with a variety of EarthLink Wireless' affordable pricing plans with no roaming charges. Calling plans with free night and weekend minutes start at $39.95 per month, with unlimited email and Internet access for an additional $19.95 per month. For more information or to sign up to be notified when the Treo 650 is available from EarthLink Wireless, please visit here or call 1-800-EARTHLINK.

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Who's providing the voice service?

DJS_TX @ 4/26/2005 4:04:10 PM #

Sprint or Verizon? Or both?

David

RE: Who's providing the voice service?

archie@PIC @ 4/26/2005 5:09:26 PM #

neither

RE: Who's providing the voice service?

archie@PIC @ 4/26/2005 5:10:19 PM #

Why would a competitor support the competition?

RE: Who's providing the voice service?

djfusion @ 4/26/2005 11:32:43 PM #

I think he was asking because Earthlink Wireless is a MVNO. I believe it's on Sprint. I'm willing to bet it'll be physically identical to the Sprint Treo, but with the Earthlink logo on the left (rather than Sprint) and probably'd come with various Earthlink-branded software.

RE: Who's providing the voice service?

ocspub @ 4/27/2005 2:15:07 AM #

> Why would a competitor support the competition?

It's not uncommon that a "real" carrier lets a virtual carrier resell its service. MCI resold Sprint PCS under the MCI brand. Virgin Mobile does it today. AT&T (not AWE) announced that they'd re-enter the mobile market by reselling Sprint PCS service under their name (which, with SBC's purchase of AT&T, is presumably not going to happen).

Oliver

Visit www.tapland.com for Zodiac news and discussion.

RE: Who's providing the voice service?

jfinlayson @ 4/27/2005 8:48:06 AM #

This Earthlink reseller claims that both Verizon and Sprint provide the service:

http://www.ibbug.org/Blog/default,date,2005-03-18.aspx

RE: Who's providing the voice service?

jfinlayson @ 4/27/2005 9:20:14 AM #

Fixing the commas in the URL, that would be:

http://www.ibbug.org/Blog/default%2Cdate%2C2005-03-18.aspx

Earthlink is probably using Verizon

wesrubix @ 4/27/2005 12:15:27 PM #

Earthlink already sells Blackberry service with voice calling, and according it PCWorld Earthlink's blackberry service connects to Verizon's network.

PCworld's article says earthlink is partnering with a South Korean provider, but building their own infrastructure costs too much.
PCWorld article: http://pcworld.about.com/news/Jan262005id119461.htm

I have a feeling it's Verizon. Earthlink's FAQ page says CDMA2000 (the data service that Sprint and Verizon use), and Earthlink says about their coverage: "We have partnered to offer one of the most comprehensive networks in the country. Based on CDMA2000® 1x technology, the network service is considered by many to be the best in the United States."
Earthlink Blackberry FAQ page: http://www.earthlink.net/wireless/bberry/7750/faq/
see the Phone Facts and Coverage sections

Sprint charges only $15/month for unlimited data on a treo (voice not included). Earthlink wants 40 (for 500 minutes and unlimited data). Verizon wants $50-80 (voice not included).
Earthlink pricing:
http://www.earthlink.net/wireless/bberry/7750/pricing/

RE: Earthlink is probably using Verizon

critic @ 4/27/2005 12:47:56 PM #

Last time I checked, Earthlink Wireless will be an MVNO running on Verizon Wireless' network. The thing that I find surprising is that the Treo 650 detailed in this post will only have 1XRTT, not EVDO.

----
What do you think, sirs?

RE: Earthlink is probably using Verizon

djfusion @ 4/27/2005 5:29:42 PM #

That the VZW Treo won't have EV-DO? Unless they want it to be an "exclusive" version that only they have...typical...

RE: Earthlink is probably using Verizon

jfinlayson @ 4/28/2005 11:38:07 AM #

I just got off the phone with SK-Earthlink. They confirmed that although voice service is provided by a number of companies, CDMA2000 data service is currently restricted to Verizon towers.

As for EVDO, there is no Treo currently on the market (including Sprint's) that supports EVDO, so an Earthlink Treo without EVDO would not necessarily be a crippled "exclusive" version.

Rumors have circulated here that Verizon's Treo 650 will support EVDO, but they appear to be nothing more than wishful thinking.

RE: Earthlink is probably using Verizon

jfinlayson @ 4/28/2005 4:52:04 PM #

Furthermore, even if Palm did add an EVDO radio to the Treo 650, it probably wouldn't work for Earthlink customers. Earthlink also sells NICs for their wireless data service, but only 1xRTT (no EVDO). When I specifically asked Earthlink today whether they support any EVDO NICs, they said no. Even if Verizon has EVDO in your area, you're stuck at 1xRTT.