Two telecom providers have come together in the name of Wi-Fi. Sprint and the SBC Communications have signed a bi-lateral roaming agreement that will enable their customers more wireless access while on the go.

The agreement will enable the companies' customers to access the Internet using their existing user ID and the password while on Sprint and the SBC-owned Wi-Fi networks. Sprint's customers now have access to more than 2,300 additional hot spots nationwide through SBC's FreedomLink service. SBC's customers gain access to six additional hot spots -- although Sprint's hot spot network consists of more than 3,000 locations, the lion's share are third-party operated.

The Wi-Fi deal with SBC marks Sprint's second such deal with a major service provider. In April, the company inked an airport access agreement with AT&T Wireless. "The AT&T Wireless and the SBC agreements put us over halfway to our goal of reaching 10,000 hot spots by the end of the year," says Polivka. "We are optimistic about meeting this goal."

Although it seems on the surface that Sprint is getting the better end of the deal, SBC will receive roaming revenue from Sprint, plus, according to Sprint spokesman John Polivka, the Sprint-owned hot spots are in prime locations. "Three of [the six] are airports and the airports have a high concentration of business travelers, which makes them a 'sweet spot' for Wi-Fi activity," he says.

Polivka not only thinks these types of deals are good for Sprint, but the wireless industry at large. "This industry collaboration is necessary for providing the customer experience Wi-Fi users are looking for and it expands the convenience of roaming," he says.

SBC says it plans to make available more than 20,000 Wi-Fi hot spots to FreedomLink customers by the end of 2006 and the work with Cingular Wireless to use Wi-Fi and the Cingular's wireless network to offer customers a comparable broadband experience at home, in the office and on the road.