Sprint and Truckstop.net announced today a new agreement that will help bring high-speed wireless capabilities and Internet access points to truckstops and travel plazas across the United States.

The new, multimillion dollar agreement includes both network services and expected hardware purchases.
Truckstop.Net plans to work with Sprint to make use of the popular 802.11 wireless technology (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi) to deliver high-speed Internet access at up to 3,000 truckstops across the nation over the term of the agreement.
The agreement also includes other Internet Protocol (IP) services that may ultimately connect people from as many as 11,000 sites, via various Truckstop.net roaming agreements. Truckstop.net intends to bring the service to about 300 new locations every quarter. Truckstop operators can add these services to their locations at no cost, allowing them to provide more services to their customers.
Already, Truckstop.net and Sprint have connected about 25 of those sites through the new agreement as part of a preliminary rollout, and new sites are being added almost daily.
Lubbock, Texas-headquartered Rip Griffin Truck and Travel Centers is among the first to offer Wi-Fi through Truckstop.net and Sprint at its 17 truckstop locations in the western and southwestern states.
"There are more than 4.5 million truckers on the road in North America and 25% have laptops," said Mark Griffin, president, Rip Griffin Truck and Travel Centers. "It's an old industry, but it is ready for a new idea. With Wi-Fi access through Sprint and Truckstop.net, Rip Griffin can give its customers something different -- a chance to connect home, to communicate with their base of operations, and to better run their business by managing information, directing their routes and picking up new loads on the fly."
Sprint enables Truckstop.net to power the nationwide Wi-Fi hot spot network, delivering the reliability required for wireline access to the Internet.
"Powered by Sprint, the Truckstop.net service offers a long menu of benefits to truckers and truckstops," said Scott Moscrip, Truckstop.net CEO. "Truckstops are looking for ways to keep customers coming back. Truck operators are looking at how they can better manage routes and solve the costly 'backhaul' issue in trucking, where trucks have to travel empty or with a light load in order to get to a new destination. Truckers themselves are looking to stay connected to their families."
To access a connection, the user will need a laptop computer and a wireless network card or a Wi-Fi enabled personal digital assistant.
Truckers will be able to simply turn on their laptops and connect to all of the information they need to stay in touch while on the road and manage their routes and loads more efficiently. Future plans will include offering hardware such as laptops, personal computers and wireless network cards to travelers who need equipment. The new Wi-Fi services will be available through individual hourly or daily passes or through a monthly subscription.
Additional information on this agreement, including a local rollout map, a video news release and other details can be found at http://www3.sprint.com.