USPS selects AT&T for wireless data devices and services76
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has selected US communications holding company AT&T Inc. to support the agency’s move to wirelessly enable enterprise applications for more efficient operations.
AT&T said it will provide new wireless data devices and services to 5,400 employees across the US initially, deploying a solution which includes BlackBerry 8800 series handsets from Research In Motion (RIM) for postal managers and key staff. They will use the handsets for access to e-mail and other postal applications and will have wireless access via AT&T’s EDGE network, which provides availability in over 13,000 cities and towns and along 40,000 miles of highways.
The BlackBerry 8800 Series device incorporates a QWERTY keyboard, trackball navigation system, GPS, voice and data functionality and expandable memory slot. It is the first dual-mode BlackBerry handset, combining EDGE/GPRS/GSM cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for flexible data access and is proposed for phase two deployment later in 2007.
According to USPS, the wireless solution enables it to access location-based tracking, asset and supply acquisition, IT support and video training applications on the mobile device, helping to streamline operations across the US.
