Category Archives: Sprint

Sprint

Sprint To Be the Exclusive Carrier of the Latest Essential Phone

Leave a comment

Sprint Mobile

Earlier this month, the first phone by Essential was revealed.

Essential is said to be a startup owned by the co-founder of Android – Andy Rubin. With this release, the Essential phone is expected to make a huge impact in the mobile phone industry.

During the release of the phone, no names of the carriers delivering mobile and home telephone service were revealed for the partnerships with Essential. However, the latest buzz has it that Sprint is going to be the exclusive carrier for the Essential phone.

The news came into the light when Niccolo de Masi, Essential President, revealed about the agreement, mentioning Sprint as the network of the future.

Revealing the agreement with Sprint, Masi spoke with USA TODAY. “We like to bet where we think the market is going as opposed to where the market was,” he mentioned. “I feel like we are a new brand and a new consumer electronics company and we are partnering with the network of the future”, he added, referring to Sprint.

According to Essential, the decision was based on a strategic plan.

However, it’s a little hard to believe that Essential chose Sprint on purpose. It has been observed that most of the huge telecommunication companies and renowned mobile or home telephone service providers didn’t show any interests in Essential’s pitch. The reasons could be many!

First off, when it comes to relying on a new OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), the telecommunication carriers providing mobile and long distance home phone service, become quite cautious. Thus, no large carriers budged for the latest Essential phone – the PH-1.

The second reason might be that the big telecom carriers weren’t quite impressed with the pitch that Essential placed. It was thus, quite difficult for Essential to impress the carriers like Verizon and AT&T that have been playing as the lead mobile and home telephone service providers of the time, followed by T-Mobile.

Contrary to this, Sprint has lost many subscribers in the past and thus, it has been taking the newer phones on board in a hope to boost its customer count.

This is the reason that Sprint has recently become the only US carrier partner for HTC U11 and Blackberry KEYone.

The Lingering Risk

For a startup, Essential has a certain amount of risk in its future, calling Sprint its ‘Exclusive Carrier’. This might bring confusion to prospects thinking that they have to be on the Sprint network to get access to the Essential phones.

This can be a misleading statement and things might turn out the way they did when Google released Pixel with Verizon as its exclusive carrier. By far, people aren’t aware that the phone is available at the Essential store as well, like Pixel was available at the Google Store, too.

Pricing

Sprint’s pricing for the Essential phone PH-1 hasn’t been announced yet. However, at the Essential online store, one can get the phone unlocked for $699. You can also get an accessory 360 camera along with the phone, for $50 extra.

So, by far things seem a bit chaotic for Essential. It is yet to be seen if its choice for the mobile and long distance home phone service provider among the leading telecom companies will be fruitful or not.

Sprint

Sprint’s Magic Box to Boost 4G LTE Signals in Offices and Homes

Leave a comment

Sprint Magic Box

When it comes to 4G LTE wireless services, most network providers fail to provide a great signal indoors. Thus, at homes and offices, we face certain network glitches like the loss of network, weak network signals, and slow connections.

However, Sprint – the mobile network services and home phone provider – has acknowledged this source of pain to its customers. The growing telecommunication company has introduced what is claimed to be the world’s first all-wireless small cell called the ‘Magic Box’.

The new and innovative device is said to boost the wireless data signals inside buildings, providing stronger network coverage.

Sprint Magic Box 

Sprint has been striving to make it’s presence in the market stronger for a long time now. And things are unfolding pretty well. So much so that the cheap phone service provider is proving out to be a strong competitor and also a threat for telecommunication giants like Verizon with its wireless services.

The Magic Box, introduced by Sprint earlier this month, is a shoebox-sized plug-and-play device that is intended for wireless data connectivity to speed up when used indoors.

The device is designed for a use in buildings, homes, offices, and even while traveling.

Though Sprint wireless customers don’t face many troubles with data speed, the Magic Box is ideal for areas where the signals are still weak or interrupted. With this device installed in your building, you can boost your upload and download speed by around 200%.

The best part about the Magic Box is that you just need to invest in the device once and use it for free for as long as you have it. Yes, no costs! The Magic Box runs for free.

Also, the handling and use of this smart device have been well thought about by the famous mobile, wireless, and home phone providers. The device is specially designed for easy and hassle-free use.

You just need to plug the box into a power outlet near a window of your house or office and you’re good to go!

How does it work?

The device works after being plugged into a wall and placed near a window. Once powered up, the Magic Box acts as a booster for cellular wireless signals. This is for the 4G LTE services provided by Sprint – a growing wireless, mobile and home phone provider.

There have been similar technologies available in the market in the past. But the Magic Box neither requires any payments to be made for a separate service, nor a broadband connection to boost the signals.

The Magic Box comes with a dedicated channel to the Sprint cell towers that are nearest to the device. This is why the device is to be deployed near a window, to get the best signals from the towers.

The device will be available for free to the ‘qualifying’ customers of the cheap phone service provider, as mentioned by Sprint. Though the factors qualifying the customers for the Magic Box are still not mentioned by the company. The product is available for a pre-order on the company’s website.

Final Thoughts

Sprint has been doing great in the industry. From a very bad reputation and poor signals to a growing demand for its services and a growing customer base, the carrier is moving towards more growth. With the Magic Box first made available to businesses, the wireless and cheap phone service provider will surely be able to gain the attention of it’s competitors.

AT&T, At&t and T-mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telecom, Verzion

Major US Carriers Extend Condolences in the Form of Free Calls and Texts to Turkey After Istanbul Airport Attack

Leave a comment

AT&T/Verizon/T-Mobile

The Istanbul Airport Attack has shaken the very basis of humanity, leaving dozens dead and many severely wounded. The major US carriers have come forward and extended a helping hand in the tough times for the relatives and family members of the unfortunate victims. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile are providing free calls and text messages from the US to Turkey.

As per an announcement made by AT&T, any charges for calls made by landline or wireless customers from the US to Turkey in between June 28 to June 30, were waived or credited. This covered texting, landline, and mobility (GoPhone and Postpaid) calls. “Our thoughts are with the people of Istanbul and our customers who have friends and family there,” as per a statement passed by AT&T following the attacks.

Another major carrier, Verizon also wanted to support its customers affected by the airport attack in Istanbul. As per an announcement, the company did not charge its customers for international texts and calls made in between June 28 and June 29 from the US to Turkey. The announcement covers both landline as well as wireless calls. “More than 170,000 Verizon employees worldwide extend condolences to all our friends and family in Turkey,” the company mentioned in a statement posted on its website.

T-Mobile also joined other carriers in helping its customers connect with family and friends by offering free services from the US to the affected country. John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile said “Today’s attack in Istanbul is both tragic and horrifying,” “Our hearts are with everyone affected by this senseless act.” The offer is in effect from June 28 to July 5, 2016 and valid for all T-Mobile Simple Choice prepaid and postpaid customers, as well as customers of GoSmart Mobile, MetroPCS and WalMart Family Mobile.

Marcelo Claure, Sprint CEO, also passed a message “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those personally affected during this difficult time,” “We want to do everything we can to show our support and heartfelt sympathy to all Sprint, Boost Mobile, and Virgin Mobile customers with family and friends in the region.” The company is waiving international call fees as well as message fees from June 28 to July 5.

Sprint

Sprint Merges with Access Wireless to Heat up Lifeline Services

Leave a comment

Sprint, a leading network carrier in US, has confirmed that it will merge with Access Wireless in an effort to come up as the largest provider of Lifeline services throughout the nation. According to reports, the carrier will own 70 percent of its new business, which will operate under the name i-wireless while the remaining 30 percent will be owned by i-wireless. Paul McAleese, i-wireless founder and CEO, will lead the combined business and i-wireless continues to operate on Sprint’s network.

mobile broadband service
mobile broadband service

Lifeline service provides discounted service to low-income consumers. It was launched during the Reagan administration and firstly it included landline phones only. However, in 2005, the service expanded to mobile phones also. FCC voted in March to expand the program to cover fixed-line and mobile broadband service; the expansion also included a provision for the creation of a new third-party verification system to prevent the fraud that has long plagued Lifeline.

“This alliance will create a vibrant competitor ready to embrace a modernized Lifeline program,” McAleese said in a press release. “As the category transitions to broadband, we’re enthusiastic about the potential to help customers more fully participate in today’s digital economy by making access to employment, education and healthcare services more affordable to low-income consumers,” he further added.

Owned by Kroger, i-wireless is the nation’s largest supermarket chain by revenue. Also, Sprint said that this merger will enable the new business to leverage its nationwide network and i-wireless’s distribution footprint, which consists largely of Kroger grocery stores. “I-wireless has a unique competitive advantage in its ability to accurately and efficiently qualify new customers for Lifeline services through a relationship with its strategic investor, The Kroger Co.,” according to Sprint’s press release.

Sprint’s Virgin Mobile brand lost about 1.6 million Lifeline customers three years ago when a federally required check found many users no longer qualified to receive the subsidies. AT&T, Verizon and other service providers also lost Lifeline users due to the FCC’s overhaul.

Sprint

Sprint Chief Experience Officer Johnson to Leave Company Next Month, Will be Replaced by Former T-Mobile Exec

Leave a comment

Bob Johnson, Chief Experience Officer at Sprint will leave the company next month, just 14 months after being named to the position. The struggling carrier said, in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that “Johnson’s tenure will end April 29. A Sprint representative said she had no comment on the move.”

SprintIt has been confirmed that Robert Hackl, named President of National Sales, will replace Johnson. Hackl has worked as Senior Vice President of Channel Management at T-Mobile US from 2010 to 2013. Hackl will join Sprint April 1, reporting to CEO Marcelo Claure.

Claure had named Johnson to the newly created role in November 2014 as part of a flurry of front-office moves that saw Marcelo- relatively new to his position as CEO- put his stamp on the organization. Those moves included the departure of several longtime executives including CMO Jeff Hallock, who was briefly replaced by Kevin Crull in May 2015. In other front-office shakeups three months ago, Crull was placed in charge of Sprint’s central U.S. region and Roger Solé was named CMO.

Johnson was “responsible for delivering a world-class customer experience at all customer touch-points,” Claure said at the time he named Johnson to the post, expanding his role overseeing Sprint’s customer care and IT groups. A 32-year veteran of the telecom industry, Johnson joined Nextel in 1998.

Sprint’s fourth-quarter earnings have substantially exceeded Wall Street estimates, but still the company is facing serious challenges. Perhaps this is the reason that these moves are happening. The operator continues to work to cut as much as $2.5 billion from its budget. It slashed 2,500 jobs in January during a third round of layoffs and it carries more than $30 billion in debt of which $2.3 billion comes due this year.

 

Sprint

Sprint’s Turnaround Prospectus is Fading Away

Leave a comment

sprint

Sprint, the number four telecom company, hasn’t been able to match the offering to customers as compared to its three rivals. Other major carriers have stolen the telecom market, but Sprint still plays the “zero sum” game in the industry. Brand, power distribution and quality in a business where all the other major companies have similar products and nearly the same subscription plan.

Verizon communication and AT&T have around 250 million subscriptions. While AT&T and Verizon are barely growing, Sprint is losing ground and T-Mobile is growing. Both the companies lack the balance sheet heft of the other two. Eventually, it shows up in infrastructure, marketing strategies and the capability to bid for spectrum.

While T-Mobile and Sprint have done well in quality ranking, they are dominated by AT&T and Verizon. In a recent survey, Verizon and AT&T did well and these carriers ranked close to each other. For other smaller carriers to take market share, each of them has to boast some superiority in their respective services.

Among the most important weapons of the carriers, discounts that they offer have been the most promising. This has now become a game of parity. One company offers a free phone with the subscription packages and the other one tries to match up to deliver an attractive offer at a lower price on data, voice and text. Consumers later realize that their charges are almost the same, but the offers are quite different. Some carriers may have unskilled management trying to make offers attractive enough to not lose a meaningful portion of their business.

Over the course of the past few years, Sprint’s share has pathetically fallen 22% while AT&T and Verizon are quite close to one another. T-Mobile growth however ranks highest by 45%. Though all these companies are in fiber and landline business, their major prospects are in wireless.

Sprint

Top Management Changes in AT&T, Sprint and Verizon

Leave a comment

chess

 

 

The telecom giant AT&T is reported to have made some big shifts in its top management recently. It recently promoted Lori Lee to the position of CMO. Lee is soon to replace Cathy Couglin, a 35-year old AT&T veteran who had been handling the top marketing position for the past eight years.

As reported by Ad Age, Lee, who previously served as the company’s EVP working in its Home Solutions Division, is anticipated to boost the company with the required motivation and fire while the company prepares to push itself into new markets through its latest acquisition of Nextel Mexico and as it readies itself to close on its DirecTV acquisition.

Ad Age’s Data Center said in 2012 that AT&T spent the most on ads, totaling $1.56 billion in measured media–more than Verizon, Chevrolet, McDonald’s and Toyota.

While Lee will take over the current role of Coughlin, Coughlin herself will continue to be associated with AT&T serving as a consultant for Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson. In 2013, FierceWireless named Coughlin one of the industry’s most influential women owing to her role as an advocate for attracting women increasingly into careers related to engineering, science, technology, and math.

David Christopher will remain CMO of AT&T Mobility. Christopher recently shared his views with FierceWireless about competition in the U.S. wireless industry as well as the company’s focus on the connected car, the connected home and growing its M2M business.

AT&T isn’t the only telecom company reorganizing its top marketing job. Sprint was also reported to announce last November that CMO Jeff Hallock was leaving the company at the end of the first quarter in 2015, although the company has not yet announced as to who will be replacing him in that role. Even Verizon, for that matter, named Diego Scotti last October as the one who would be taking over a newly created position of EVP and CMO for Verizon Communications.