T-Mobile USA Joins With Sony For Multiplayer Gaming & Surfing Via WiFi

T-Mobile is determined to get more mileage out of its network of more than 7,000 WiFi hotspot locations and Sony needs to revitalize its image in the mobile gaming market. In an effort to achieve both objectives Sony has announced that the latest firmware update for the PSP gives users free access to T-Mobile’s hotspot network. In practical terms, this means users with an updated PSP (firmware version 3.30) can engage in multiplayer gaming, surf the mobile Internet and download podcasts free of charge.

The promotional offer provides users six months of WiFi access starting from when they first log into T-Mobile’s network. After that, users will be offered a subscription to the service at a reduced rate (no details on what that will be). Press release

In related news increasing competition in the games console sector has forced Sony to drop the price of its PSP gaming device by $30 to $170, AP reports. The move comes two months after Sony’s gaming unit posted a third-quarter operating loss of $443 million. Today’s announcement marks the first time Sony has officially lowered suggested retail prices on the PSP since it launched the device in March 2005. The company maintains the price cut is necessary to make the PSP more affordable for young gamers.

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