Wireless Web services coming to Springfield

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Access to e-mail and Internet content via wireless phone is on its way to Springfield.|ret||ret||tab|

Nextel Communications began the rollout of its Nextel Online wireless Internet service in April. At that time, the company said its service would become available in all of Nextel's markets by mid-year.|ret||ret||tab|

The service will be available in Springfield beginning July 7, according to George Travers, account executive with Gateway Power Communications.|ret||ret||tab|

The Nextel service provides instant access to the wireless Web without having to dial in, he said.|ret||ret||tab|

Nextel Online customers can create personalized Web portals accessible by personal computer or Internet-capable phone via the myNextel.com Web portal, according to a release from Nextel. |ret||ret||tab|

Co-branded with MSN, the portal features news from MSNBC and provides access to Hotmail, MSN MoneyCentral, Expedia.com, MSN Yellow Pages and more.|ret||ret||tab|

Customers can send and receive e-mail and shop online, but they cannot yet pull up graphics, Travers said.|ret||ret||tab|

Users can customize their personal sites, selecting the business information important to them to be sent directly to their mobile phones.|ret||ret||tab|

In addition to wireless Web and digital cellular service, Nextel phones also feature instant person-to-person connections via DirectConnect digital two-way radio, Travers said.|ret||ret||tab|

AT&T Wireless, which has offered e-mail messaging since 1998, announced in May its plans to offer AT&T Digital PocketNet service applications and Internet access. |ret||ret||tab|

PocketNet is partially deployed in Springfield now and will be fully functional by the end of the year, said AT&T Wireless Public Relations Manager Mary Lynn Heath.|ret||ret||tab|

AT&T Digital PocketNet service will provide unlimited access to more than 40 wireless Internet Web sites, including ABC-NEWS.com, Barnes & Noble.com, DLJdirect, eBay, ESPN.com, E*TRADE, MapQuest, TD Waterhouse, weather.com and Travelocity, according to an AT&T release. |ret||ret||tab|

The new service also offers customers access to personal Web sites which allow them to share Internet services between a wireless phone and any Internet accessible computer. |ret||ret||tab|

Basic PocketNet service is free with the purchase of specific AT&T products and services. |ret||ret||tab|

Additional online wireless capability, such as e-mail, personal organizer services and access to the Internet portal Excite are available via two flat-rate pricing plans. |ret||ret||tab|

Meanwhile, Alltel has been conducting technical trials on its wireless service in Little Rock, Ark., and Charlotte, N.C. Alltel announced June 7 that it had signed an agreement with InfoSpace, a global provider of infrastructure services for wireless devices, to enable customers to access information from the Internet.|ret||ret||tab|

Alltel and InfoSpace have jointly developed a personal portal that will be customized to Alltel customers' needs and allow them to choose personalized, specific information from their wireless phones, according to an Alltel release. |ret||ret||tab|

The content and branding of the portal will be controlled by Alltel. |ret||ret||tab|

InfoSpace will provide Alltel with reference services that access information on news, sports and entertainment. InfoSpace will also provide community services such as maps and driving directions. Alltel plans to make the service available in most markets by the end of the year.|ret||ret||tab|

Sprint PCS and Southwestern Bell Mobile Services are also expected to begin offering wireless services in the Springfield area market before year's end.[[In-content Ad]]