To help parents stay connected with their children and maintain some control of their children's wireless phone usage, Sprint and SANYO introduce the Sprint PCS Vision Phone SCP-2400 by SANYO.

This phone offers a free parental control feature, allowing parents to easily manage whom the child calls and who can call the child. A parent simply enters the phone numbers of those individuals the child is permitted to call and/or receive calls from in the phone's address book, and then clicks on the Parental Control icon on the main menu to limit use to Phone Book Only for both incoming and/or outgoing direct calls. After the parent limits the phone's use in this way, other phone numbers would be restricted. Parents can also lock services like Sprint PCS Ready Link and Sprint PCS Vision, which can help the child to avoid data charges that may not be included as part of the families' wireless pricing plan.

The SCP-2400 by SANYO supports Sprint PCS Vision, Sprint PCS Ready Link, SMS Voice and Text Messaging, and Wireless Backup. An optional accessory pack will be available to complement the phone, including a Quick Start Guide for setting restrictions on the phone, a gift card for a customizable "skin" (i.e. sticker) for the child to outfit the phone, and a backpack clip for the child to secure the phone while on the go.

"Parents want the ability to stay connected with their children as they become more mobile. They also want peace of mind knowing they can maintain some control of their child's wireless usage and spending," said Danny Bowman, vice president of product marketing for Sprint. "The SCP-2400 by SANYO is a great option for parents, as it allows parents to quickly set restrictions on the phone, and its flexibility allows parents to customize their settings to meet the specific needs of each child or modify restrictions as their needs change over time."

The SCP-2400 by SANYO will be available in early July in Sprint Stores and online (www.sprint.com ) for $179.99, or $29.99 after rebate with a two-year subscriber agreement. To complement the phone, an optional accessory pack will be available for $14.99.