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Sprint March 17 confirmed it will soon offer Google’s Nexus One smartphone to its subscribers, though the wireless carrier did not say when it will begin offering the device or at what cost.
“While a pricing plan has not yet been determined for Nexus One, we are confident that it will be consistent with Sprint’s commitment to deliver more value than our competitors and keep pricing simple,” said Fared Adib, Sprint vice president of product development.
Google began selling the Google Android-based Nexus One from its Webstore in January without a service plan for $529 or with a two-year contract from T-Mobile for $179.
The search engine-turned-phone seller also said Verizon Wireless and Vodafone will support the Nexus One in the spring. Verizon is expected to offer the device possibly as soon as March 23, with Vodafone offering the smartphone to European users in April.
By throwing its hat into the ring, Sprint is the third U.S. carrier to pledge support for the Nexus One, which researcher Flurry said has only shipped some 135,000 units to date.
The Nexus One will join the Samsung Moment and HTC Hero in Sprint’s modest lineup of Android devices.
However, Sprint said Google will continue to sell the device exclusively through its Webstore as it tests a new go-to-market model for smartphone sales.
While Sprint’s statement listed the features of the Android 2.1-based Nexus One, the bullet point details are old news for industry watchers.
Given the paucity of details, Sprint’s announcement may well be a reaction to Google’s pledge March 16 to let the Nexus One run on AT&T’s 3G network, albeit unlocked and unsupported by the exclusive maker of Apple’s iPhone.
Sprint, which has 48 million users as the No. 3 U.S. carrier, fleshed out its Nexus One news by taking shots at its rivals.
The company said that the “Nexus One will benefit from Sprint’s 3G network with twice the coverage of AT&T and 10 times the coverage of T-Mobile, both based on square miles.”
The company also called out Sprint’s Everything Data 450 plan, which provides unlimited calling, text, GPS navigation and Web access from any mobile phone in the United States for $69.99 a month, or the same cost Verizon and AT&T charge for unlimited talk.