Sprint has joined Verizon in announcing that all future handsets added to their network will have Wi-Fi enabled. While the firms are talking up the benefits to customers, it’s also a way to minimize strain on 3G networks.

Verizon has only publicly said that BlackBerry devices will be covered by the Wi-Fi requirement. However, it’s reported the firm has included Wi-Fi as a must-have in specifications it has sent to manufacturers for future released.

Sprint has not yet set a deadline but says the time is coming when all models on its network must have Wi-Fi. The network already has such a requirement for handsets designated as Personal Digital Assistants.

The Sprint announcement is peculiarly timed. The new BlackBerry Tour, which doesn’t have Wi-Fi, is launching on both Sprint and Verizon on Sunday. However, as part of this week’s announcement, Sprint says a new version of the handset, incorporating Wi-Fi, will launch next year. Verizon isn’t commenting on whether it will carry the new version.

While pricing isn’t confirmed, there’s a fair chance the new version will be at the same $199 price point. That may be enough to persuade some would-be buyers to hold off on getting the Tour, particularly given that many people don’t need much of an excuse to put a major purchase on hold these days. Sprint clearly recognizes this risk, but didn’t want to be left behind in the market knowing Verizon was launching the model.

The adoption of all-Wi-Fiii models is partly a marketing decision to allow Sprint and Verizon (which operate on the CDMA standard) to catch up with rivals AT&T and T-Mobile which use the rival GSM standard and have a much wider range of Wi-Fi phones.

What isn’t getting much mention from the network carriers is that the more phones have Wi-Fi, the greater proportion of data traffic will be shifted away from the phone networks. While some monthly packages make it more profitable for the networks when people use more data services, when it comes to those with more generous allowances or unlimited use deals it’s in the networks interest to minimize use.

Related:

Samsung Pixon 12 is a phone with an identity crisis

Sling Media finally comes to the iPhone, but brings restrictions with it

AT&T to get a quartet of new BlackBerry handsets

Nokia gets social in US, musical in Europe

Amazon launches dedicated wireless site

Entry was posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 3:51 pm under AT&T, BlackBerry, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon.

Read more entries by John Lister.
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