Sprint Launches Free Wi-Fi Service as Part of Kansas City’s Smart City Initiative

Becomes first mobile service provider to play an important connectivity role in the development of a Cisco Smart+Connected Community in the U.S.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 05, 2016 – Sprint (NYSE:S, news, filings), in collaboration with Cisco, is revolutionizing the way Kansas Citians stay connected with the launch of its intelligent Sprint Wi-Fi network, which serves as the backbone of Kansas City’s Smart City framework. Beginning today, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy free Sprint Wi-Fi outdoors along the 2.2-mile KC Streetcar line through downtown, connecting some of the City’s most iconic districts, such as the River Market, Kansas City Power & Light District, and Crossroads.

In addition to free Wi-Fi connectivity, the Sprint Wi-Fi intelligent communications network provides Internet access to a broad range of citywide services, such as maps and visitor information. Pinsight Media+, a subsidiary of Sprint, operates the data analytics and advertising platform, bolstering the intelligent network to enable brand connections to help bring services to life.

“We are proud to play an integral role in Kansas City’s Smart City initiative, making Sprint’s hometown one of the most comprehensive connected cities in the world,” said Tim Donahue, president, Kansas and Missouri Region at Sprint. “Sprint Wi-Fi will help streamline city operations, generate economic development, and improve the quality of life for Kansas City residents.”

Initially, Sprint Wi-Fi services will be used for:

• Public Wi-Fi – Allowing Kansas Citians and visitors to access the Internet along the 2.2-mile Kansas City streetcar line via their smartphone, tablet or other Wi-Fi capable computing devices while in public spaces or on the move.
• Sprint Wi-Fi – Providing Sprint customers exclusive access to alternative high speed connectivity options when attending large outdoor events along the 2.2 miles of Kansas City streetcar line.
• Community Kiosks – A series of 25 interactive digital kiosks along the streetcar line and nearby downtown locations connected to the Sprint Wi-Fi network can be used for accessing city services, current events, transportation services, local business information, public digital art, local history and entertainment. In addition, these kiosks may be able to serve as a reverse alert system during emergencies.
• Smart Lighting and Video – Using Sensity’s NetSense platform, the intelligent Internet of Things (IoT) platform transforms each lighting fixture into a sensory node. Advanced lighting controls are designed to automatically adjust street lights to help save money and energy and reduce light pollution. Video sensors collect real-time data for smart city, public safety and security applications along Kansas City’s downtown streetcar starter line.

“Today marks a significant day in the advancement of IoT services in the service provider industry,” said Suraj Shetty, vice president and general manager of mobility solutions for Cisco. “Cisco is pleased to work with Sprint on the advancement of a Cisco Smart+Connected Community framework as the company connects the digital kiosks, outdoor street lighting, the streetcar line, and other technologies to be utilized in Kansas City to its Wi-Fi network. Together we are demonstrating endless possibilities of new experiences in downtown Kansas City for years to come.”

Kansas City’s Smart City initiative combines a communications network, wireless sensor technology and intelligent data management, allowing the city to become more dynamic and efficient. Sprint Wi-Fi allows consumers to choose alternative network connection options based on location, creating an even better mobile experience in more outside locations across downtown Kansas City. Eventually, Sprint Wi-Fi could be used to support a wide variety of smart city applications to help the city more efficiently address and manage transportation, utilities, public safety and environmental monitoring.

In addition to providing outdoor Wi-Fi connection options as part of the Kansas City Smart City initiative, Sprint continues to focus on building a world-class network to deliver the consistent reliability, capacity and speed that customers demand. According to independent mobile analytics firm RootMetrics® 2nd half 2015 RootScore® Report, Sprint is tied for #1 in network reliability, call and text performance in Kansas City.¹

About Sprint

Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served more than 58.8 million connections as of March 31, 2016 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the past five years. You can learn more and visit Sprint atwww.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

¹Rankings based on RootMetrics Kansas City (November 2015) RootScore® Report for mobile performance as tested on best available plans and devices on 4 mobile networks across all available network types.

View source version on businesswire.com:http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160505006189/en/