EarthLink is now offering customers more wireless options for accessing their Internet e-mail accounts.
The service provider is bundling its Internet access service with Motorola Talkabout 2-way T900 pagers as part of the EarthLink Everywhere wireless initiative. The bundle comes with an EarthLink e-mail account. Or, customers can configure the device to send and receive e-mail from most other standard e-mail addresses.
The Motorola device has a full mini keyboard, a four-line display screen and room for storing up to 250 contacts. Users pay a one-time fee of $125 for the device and a $25 monthly service charge.
This is EarthLink's second wireless e-mail service. Earlier this year the ISP announced a wireless service in conjunction with Blackberry handheld devices.
Through a special promotion available now, EarthLink is selling Blackberry 950 and Blackberry 957 devices for $300 and $400, respectively. The devices typically cost $100 more. Each device is a personal organizer that includes a track wheel, keyboard and PC synchronization features. The 950 is smaller than the 957 and looks more like a pager.
EarthLink's $40-per-month Blackberry service bundle includes an always-on wireless connection to each customer's EarthLink e-mail account.
For users that want full wireless Internet access for surfing the Web as well as accessing e-mail, EarthLink offers its Mobile Broadband service. This wireless service is based on Metricom's Ricochet network. Users can access the Internet using a wireless modem that attaches directly to their laptop. EarthLink also is running a special on this device; the modem typically costs $300 but is now available for $100. The service costs $80 per month, or $60 per month for existing dial-up or DSL EarthLink customers.
EarthLink Mobile Broadband service is available in 21 cities.
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Denise Pappalardo is a senior editor for Network World, covering ISPs, VPNs and related topics. Reach her at denisep@nww.com.
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