Pokémon GO is the most popular mobile game in history, and Sprint has just become its first U.S. partner, promising a better gaming experience for its customers.
As a Pokémon GO partner, the carrier will turn its Sprint, Boost Mobile and Sprint at RadioShack stores into PokéStops and Gyms so that its customers can collect items for the game and battle other Pokémon GO players.
The hype surrounding Pokémon GO may have died down since the game first launched this summer, but its creators keep improving the experience nonetheless, and plenty of players are still enjoying the game. The Halloween and Thanksgiving events proved to be popular and the new Pokémon tracker released in November was a big plus, but that's not all.
The Pokémon GO December update is highly anticipated, and rumor has it that Niantic Inc., the game's developer, is gearing up to unveil the update and 100 new Pokémon on Dec. 12.
With its latest partnership announcement, Sprint basically confirmed that the update will roll out on Dec. 12. The carrier announced that just as Niantic and the Pokémon Company International reveal new information about the upcoming Pokémon on that day, Trainers will be able to use select Sprint, Boost Mobile and Sprint at RadioShack stores for an immersive Pokémon GO experience.
Sprint 'Pokémon GO' Experience
Starting on Dec. 12, Sprint, Boost Mobile and RadioShack stores will allow customers to collect in-game items such as Eggs and Poké Balls that will help them advance in the location-based augmented reality game.
At the same time, Sprint-sponsored Gyms will allow players to battle their Pokémon against others. Moreover, Pokémon Go players will be able to charge their phones at Sprint, Boost and Sprint at RadioShack locations, which is a big bonus considering that the game tends to drain the phone's battery pretty quickly.
Sprint Unlimited Data Offers
Sprint also touts that, thanks to its unlimited data offers, Pokémon GO Trainers won't have to worry about exceeding their data allocation when roaming the streets in search of Pokémon on Sprint's 4G LTE network.
The carrier currently has an offer for up to three lines of unlimited data, talk and text. The lines will be free until Jan. 31, 2018, for customers who switch to Sprint and sign up for Unlimited Freedom with AutoPay at $20 per month per line for a family of five. Customers who get two lines will be able to add a third, fourth and fifth line and get them for free. Interested customers who want to take advantage of this offer will need to add the lines by the end of this month.
"This collaboration with Pokémon GO brings together two innovative, groundbreaking and creative brands that will offer Trainers greater accessibility and destinations to advance their game," says Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure.
John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, adds that, "as Trainers go out to explore their neighborhoods in pursuit of elusive new Pokémon, they can pop into their nearby Sprint locations to recharge, get great value data plans, collect in-game items, and battle with their favorite Pokémon."
With Sprint now on board as an exclusive wireless partner and with more Pokémon to come, Pokémon GO fans can gear up for an exciting experience on Dec. 12. Stay tuned for more information as soon as it becomes available.
