Cisco, a leading producer of networking products for the Internet, will provide technology at the heart of ION, including the customer integrated services hub. Bellcore, one of the companies responsible for building today's telephone systems, is providing the central software framework that is the core intelligence of ION, as well as the telephone features commonly in use today. The third key partner for Sprint is RadioShack. RadioShack will provide the major distribution channel for the integrated services hubs. With 6,900 stores nationwide, there is a RadioShack within a five-minute drive of 94 percent of the U.S. population.
Sprint plans to begin offering services near the end of next year.
Sprint says that the cost for ION will be about the same as the average household currently pays for phone and Internet services. Among these companies are Hallmark, Silicon Graphics, and Sysco Foods.