Sprint Partners with Google as First Carrier to Launch Google Wallet

Nexus S 4G will be first smartphone to deliver NFC capabilities for in-store purchases, coupons and loyalty cards, making mobile commerce simple and easy

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint (NYSE:S) announced today a partnership with Google to launch Google Wallet, an application using near field communication technology (NFC) to make your phone your wallet. When Google Wallet is available this summer, eligible Sprint customers will be able to tap, pay and save money and time while they shop. Sprint will be the first carrier and Nexus S 4G will be the first phone to deliver this innovative service.

“We are pleased to join Google in offering this cutting-edge capability that lets you leave the house with just your phone, and tap and pay to shop, dine out and go to the movies”

“We are pleased to join Google in offering this cutting-edge capability that lets you leave the house with just your phone, and tap and pay to shop, dine out and go to the movies,” said Fared Adib, senior vice president of Product for Sprint. “We are proud that Nexus S 4G is the first smartphone with Google Wallet and pleased that our customers can be the first to experience the service."

Google Wallet is expected to work initially with the fast growing MasterCardPayPass network accepted at 124,000 merchants nationally. Existing Citi MasterCard holders can add their cards to Google Wallet over the air. Google also will support a pre-paid card that can be funded to make payments. In addition to quick payments, users also will be able to redeem offers and even scan loyalty cards – all with a single tap – with participating retailers (with no additional fees added).

Google Wallet is not available now, but more details about how to get it and how to use it can be found at www.google.com/wallet.

Sprint has a strong history of partnering with Google to support an open philosophy that integrates the products and services that consumers value and enjoy into the mobile experience. Sprint is a charter member of the Open Handset Alliance and launched the first 4G Android smartphone. In April, Sprint launched the Nexus S 4G and launched Google Voice integrated with Sprint for Sprint CDMA phones.

In keeping with its open approach, Sprint is actively working with others in the mobile payment ecosystem. Sprint believes in enabling the existing framework and solutions – in this case, banking institutions or existing financial instruments – to bring familiar services to consumers without creating a new solution for their mobile lives. Sprint sees this as enabling choices for customers that best meet their needs, not the needs of the carrier. Sprint will continue to bring practical, easy-to-use mobile payment solutions to customers on Sprint devices.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 51 million customers at the end of 1Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.