Wi-Fi coming to truckstops nationwide

Sprint and Truckstop.net have announced 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 802.11 wireless technology (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi) to deliver high-speed Internet access at up to 3,000 truckstops.

The agreement also includes other Internet protocol 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.net and Sprint already have connected about 25 sites through the new agreement as part of a preliminary roll-out, and new sites are being added almost daily.

To access a connection, the user will need a laptop computer and a wireless network card or a Wi-Fi-enabled personal digital assistant.

Future plans include offering hardware such as laptops, personal computers, and wireless network cards to travelers who need equipment.