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From...
Sprint offers $10 Internet access
October 16, 1998
Web posted at: 12:00 PM EDT
by Mike Hogan
(IDG) -- Long-distance provider Sprint on Wednesday announced a program offering home-based businesses unlimited Internet access for $9.95 monthly along with additional discounts on long-distance phone services.
Arranged in concert with Internet service provider partner EarthLink, the Internet connection is available to any home business or high-volume consumer that signs up for the Sprint Sense Home Office plan. This bundles the three most-often-used small business services -- long-distance service, a toll-free 800 number, and calling-card calls -- together for one of two monthly rates, determined by the total number of communications minutes used each month.
You can sign up for 1000 minutes of long distance, toll free, and calling card calls for $100 per month or 500 minutes for $60 a month. In the first plan, every minute over 1000 is billed at 10 cents a minute, while additional minutes are billed at 12 cents per minute for the second plan.
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"For the typical user, it could mean savings pretty darn close to 50 percent off the price of these services purchased individually," says Scott Ragan, senior marketing manager for Sprint Sense Home Office.
The amount of time spent on the Internet is not limited and not included in these calculations, adds Ragan. In addition, Sprint Sense Home Office subscribers get 20 minutes of free technical support on any computer software and hardware topic each month from third-party service provider MemberWorks.
While clearly targeted at America's estimated 21 million home-based businesses, it is not restricted to them, says Ragan. It could also be appropriate for consumers who use enough long-distance message units to justify an 800 number, such as a family with a child away at college. This offer is available to those who enroll by December 31, 1998 by calling 888/280-0274.
Comparisons with the other two major long-distance carriers -- AT&T and MCI Worldcom -- are difficult; neither offers a similar bundle of phone and Internet services and there are a lot of exceptions to consider.
Generally, under AT&T's One Rate Plus plan, any subscriber paying $4.95 a month can get long-distance service for 7 to 10 cents a minute, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The per-minute rates are 25 cents for calling card and 800-number calls above a $30 minimum.
Long-distance phone rates under the MCI-One Advantage plan are 10 cents a minute 24 hours a day six days a week and 5 cents on Sunday with a $4.95 monthly fee. An 800 number is billed at 30 cents a minute any time and calling card calls are 45 cents a minute.
Internet access through either AT&T or MCI Worldcom's subsidiaries are another $14.95 a month for 150 hours a month.