Sprint is following on the launch of a Java developers program in conjunction with Sun Microsystems, hoping to build support around a compact version of the language called J2ME (Java 2 micro edition).
Sprint joins fellow US carrier Nextel Communications, which made a similar announcement earlier this year, as a Java proponent. Both companies are hoping Java will allow them to offer users more complex media functions and software choices on cellular phones.
The new network will offer data transfer speeds of up to 144K bps (bits per second) making the download of Java-based applications much faster.
Java has also found support in Asia and Europe through the likes of Japan’s NTT DoCoMo and Finland’s Nokia. A wide base of around 2.5 million Java developers already exists to help design software, although only a portion of those focus on the J2ME version of the programming language at present.
