Sprint and Rave Wireless (www.ravewireless.com) have partnered to offer a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive suite of mobile solutions that deliver instant communications, enhance student safety and generate a greater sense of community at higher–education campuses across the country.

Beginning in the fall semester of 2006, students at Allen University in South Carolina and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), will have greater access to features such as group text messaging and polling, campus directories, university events calendar and class schedules thanks to customized handset data applications created by Rave Wireless.

Sprint's state-of-the-art network and unique location-based services, combined with Rave Wireless' mobile applications and program management create a complete solution for higher education institutions.

A big issue for many universities is the safety and security of students on campus. Allen University, located in Columbia, S.C., is working with Sprint and Rave Wireless to provide all full-time students with GPS-capable handsets, preloaded with data applications including the award-winning Rave Guardian application that provides a greater level of security by allowing the school's public safety officials to identify a student’s location, if requested by the student, by integrating GPS- location into the school's public safety system. In addition, the mobile phones, referred to as an 'e-learning tool' by the school administration, will foster strong student-faculty relationships by facilitating real-time communication, course information and in-class assessments.Starting this fall, UMES will also offer the Sprint solution with Rave applications to all incoming students. Through a state-of-the-art dual-network Custom Network Solution (CNS) designed for this campus, Sprint has created a unified messaging platform for students and faculty to communicate, especially helpful during an emergency or national catastrophe.Rave Wireless' applications, available on both the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network and the Nextel National Network, provide students with the flexibility to access campus-specific content and services through mobile phones from just about anywhere and at any time. The solution deployed at UMES also includes Rave Guardian, which provides students with a greater level of security and added peace-of-mind.