Sprint in good financial shape and could make acquistion

I have often wondered about a Nextel purchase...especially after the FCC approved their plan. They have spectrum and customers, but no next-gen network. Sprint on the other hand has a network and customers, but they probably will need more spectrum to support their aggressive MVNO strategy. Add the Nextel/Qualcomm PTT solution to Sprint's network, increase network capacity, migrate customers, shut down the IDEN network. Seems like a deal worth pursuing.

 

I like the way you put that.

 

Yeah, but then there will only be four (or five if you count Alltel) nationwide wireless providers. Sprint, Verizon, Cingular and T-Mobile. If Sprint did buy Nextel do you think we would see another larger carrier emerge from the combination of one or more smaller, regional wireless providers? Alltel and Midwest Wireles, perhaps? CellularONE-Dobson Communications and a smaller GSM provider? The wireless industry could be shaken up for years if Sprint buys Nextel at around the same time the Cingular/AT&T merger is going on and if two or more of the smaller carriers join forces the wireless world of 2006-2007 could look much, much different than the wireless world of 2004.

 

I think I recall reading this in the past. Isn't this an old article?
http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/showthread.php?t=4146&highlight=sprint+pack

Just to clear up confusion, they are mostly talking about Sprint Corporation, not the PCS Wireless division.

 

That is great to hear Sprint is in good shape now.
I don't think Sprint needs to buy anything except more base stations and towers in my opinon. They have a license for every single market in the US.
I don't think Craig McCaw would be all for Nextel being bought by Sprint. When Sprint got rid of Sprint Cellular they said they would never do Cellular again. Allot has changed since then, they might buy a cellular network now. Would they have to call themselves Sprint Spectrum if they bought someone like Alltel telephone company?
There was GTE-Sprint back in the day
so maybe MCI-Sprint? the second attempt??

 

Well you just lowered my bars. :lol: .....but I still think there's something in the works.

 

They should by their affiliates.....and open a couple more call centers....

 

Sounds to me this is what they should make a priority.

 

The call center here in Logan does not do as much for Sprint PCS anymore. I think Sprint has shut down alot overflow call center that were not pulling there weight. So I hope there Sprint can bring in call centers that can do better than what Convergys did here in Logan, UT.

 

Sprint PCS has enough call centers IMO. They do however need to buy their affiliates out before Sprint even considers buying out or merging with anybody. Buying out the affliates should be Sprint's number one priority right now.

 

It is 3 months old but I think it is still a valid article and may even be more true now. Also, Sprint's affiliates have been busy renegotiating their agreements with Sprint to provide a better stream of income. Due to this many are in better shape than before.

Sprint's wireless division is the big money maker for Sprint now and of course they realize that and are doing what it takes to continue the revenue growth . I think that is a point of the article.

G.

 

The affiliates seem to be busy trying to buy eachother out.

 

Yes, in Ubiquitel's quarterly conference calls the last two quarters an analyst has asked them if they are in or on the market to which they replied that they are not in search of anything but will remain open to anything that brings value to the shareholder. Translation- maybe if it's a good deal.

 

Larry:
While the article may be old, I think that it is more valid now then ever. With news that they are in good financial shape, I think Alltel (especially here in AZ) would be a great acquisition for them!

 

Someone does need to buy ALLTEL.

 

yea Century Tel! :lol:

 

I think Verizon and Cingular should just acquire every company that uses their respective technologies, then we can truly have a CDMA vs. GSM war.

 

VZW has been fairly active in buying small regional carriers in areas that cause holes in their native coverage (Shentel Cellular in VA, Price in GA/AL, Mountain Cellular in CA, CellOne properties in downstate IL and west GA...), and I suspect VZW has their eye on even more (here in the Southeast, Bluegrass Cellular and Cellular South are probably among them.)

Cingular has generally avoided acquisitions like those, preferring instead to simply roam -- but I think that once they more fully digest AWS that could change, and a lot of smaller regionals (not to mention two small companies in Texas and Illinois that are not "true" Cingular but use the Cingular name and sell Cingular plans) could very well get bought out. Then again, a lot of the companies I'd expect Cingular to be most interested in are small family-owned companies (like PSC Wireless in GA/AL and Corr Wireless in AL) or divisions of telephone co-ops (like Advantage Cellular in TN and Farmers Wireless in AL) that are unlikely to sell out at any price.

-SC