Who’s No. 1 – Again? PC World Test and Ron Burgundy Confirms It: Sprint’s Now Network Again Named San Diego’s Most Reliable 3G Network

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Reliable? Dependable? Steadfast? Yes, yes and yes. All of those words are appropriate when referring to Sprint’s (NYSE: S) 3G network in San Diego, where it scored perfect connectivity rates as part of a recent 13-city 3G test by PC World magazine. Sprint was perfect in San Diego, and — for the second consecutive year – came out on top as the most reliable 3G network in the country in a tie.

“Applications are only as good as the networks on which they stand”

“We knew it, our customers knew it and now PC World, its readers and the rest of the country know it. When it comes to a reliable 3G network, Sprint is it,” said Sprint’s Bob Azzi, senior vice-president, network. “Not only is our 3G network reliability second-to-none, but Sprint’s network superiority and leadership are cemented with our 4G rollout, the nation’s first from a national wireless carrier.”

The PC World results, released online Tuesday and published in the magazine’s March issue, show Sprint improved its reliability from 90.5 percent last year to an average 94 percent connectivity rate this year – better than Verizon Wireless, better than T-Mobile and tied for best in the industry. In addition to San Diego, Sprint posted perfect connectivity rates at reasonable speeds in Baltimore and Portland.

So when you add it all up, Sprint customers in San Diego get it all: The most reliable 3G network, the best selection of devices and among the most reasonable rates in the industry. The Sprint Everything Data 450 plan with Any Mobile, Anytime and unlimited messaging and data saves customers nearly $50 per month vs. Verizon’s Nationwide Talk and Text plan plus unlimited data package. Sprint Everything Data plans deliver more value, with unlimited GPS navigation included at no extra charge and annual phone upgrades through the Sprint Premier loyalty program. These plans from Sprint make it simple for customers by including all the text, e-mail, Web, social networking and GPS navigation customers want on any Sprint phone for one low price.

Not only has Sprint maintained and strengthened its 3G network, it’s also the first national wireless carrier to test, launch and market 4G technology. Sprint 4G is already available in 27 markets and will continue to expand to new cities, bringing wireless speeds up to 10 times faster than today’s 3G from any other national wireless carrier.

Whether taking in a bit of culture at Balboa Park, catching a wave at Torrey Pines or cheering on the Padres from way up in the cheap seats, San Diegans can depend on Sprint for a mobile broadband experience that’s 100 percent reliable and worry free. Data demands among wireless customers are increasing as users expect connectivity everywhere they go; the PC World tests show that Sprint’s Now Network doesn’t miss a beat. 3G download speeds in the tests averaged 795 kbps across the 13 cities, which is almost identical to last year’s tests. Upload speeds remained steady as well, with an average 396 kbps this year.

The results prove that Sprint customers not only have numerous, innovative applications to enjoy, such as Sprint Navigation or Sprint Music Store, but they can enjoy them when they want – now – without worrying about connections, reliability or speed.

“Applications are only as good as the networks on which they stand,” said Azzi. “Sprint has proven that our 3G network is a solid foundation our customers can rely on.”