Sprint-Nextel Continues To Hemorrhage Customers [Despite HTC EVO 4G, WiMAX and Cheap Plans, Customers Flock From Sprint]

You fail to mention Sprints customer loss has been cut in half, majority of those customer are form the Nextel side. Wimax may only be in 27 markets, where is Verizons 4G, At&t’s?? At&t is still struggling rolling out their 3G. With the launch of any Next Generation Cell Network, it is rolled out in spots. 3G was rolled out similarly.

Ya I have to agree, you say customers flock “despite” evo 4g and wimax?? which #1 the Evo isnt even out yet so determine the flock of customers has any relation to that is completely wrong. maybe after the phone is out and mind you the FIRST 4g phone, if sprint is still losing customers you can say “despite”. Also sprint’s 4g network “small”, small compared to what? isnt sprint the only provider of the big 4 that even has 4g coverage. this article has some facts, but is very misleading and doesnt paint the proper factual picture of Sprint.

I’ve been with Sprint since 2003.

I have never had issues. If I get a moron in Customer Service, I hang up and call back.

They’ve replaced out of warranty phones for me with no insurance.

They’ve given me 3 new (and latest models) phones when they screwed me out of a rebate.

Sprint’s biggest failure is their advertising.

Listen to the AT&T and Verizon commercials. They don’t mention Sprint, only each other. Why? Simple.

Sprint DOES have the cheapest plan.

Sprint has unlimited Mobile to Mobile, when most don’t. (granted, many have roll over.)

Sprint needs a better advertising strategy. Random ideas off top of my head to grab people’s attention.

Step one is to get the phone to market NOW – not June. The Incredible is out, soaking up most of the sun. And the new Apple iPhone will be out this summer as well.

Step two. New ads.

Commercial 1) Sprint user calls his friend who has AT&T/Verizon. They BS about sports, and before he hands up, Sprint caller looks at his phone, notes how long they’ve been on call, mentions it to his friend, but that it doesn’t matter since it didn’t go against his anytime minutes. Calls him back, for a 5 second quick question, and mentions minutes again. Calls 2 or 3 more friends on different carriers and does same thing. Or something to that effect.

Commercial 2) 4G. Real world 4G demo not this computer animated crap on Google.

Commercial 3) Price plan break down comparison. 30 Seconds of base plan, add ons, average taxes, fees = bottom line, between Sprint and Verizon and AT&T.

Sprint needs to hit back. I’m sure Verizon has awesome service, and have had great phones for years.

I am thrilled to see the EVO come to Sprint. I can’t wait. I’ve been a smart phone hold out forever, because I’ve wanted to stay with Sprint – and def never wanted to go with Apple.

Mr. Schram,

You didn’t quite bash Sprint, but you certainly (& deliberately?) misled.

“Sprint Nextel reports first-quarter 2010 results
04/28/2010
• First sequential increase in total net operating revenues and wireless service revenues in nearly three years
• Best year-over-year improvement in net post-paid subscriber results in five years
• Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin grew sequentially
• Successful Assurance Wireless launch in five states; demonstrating strength of multi-brand prepaid strategy
• Nine consecutive quarters of improvement in Customer Care Satisfaction and First Call Resolution

Today, Sprint Nextel Corp. today reported first-quarter 2010 financial results. The company announced first quarter consolidated net operating revenues of approximately $8.1 billion, a net loss of $865 million, which includes a non-cash $365 million (12 cents per share) increase in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets resulting from net operating loss carryforwards generated during the first quarter, and a diluted loss per share of 29 cents. Excluding the increased valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, the diluted loss per share would have been 17 cents for the quarter. The company generated $506 million of Free Cash Flow in the quarter. As of March 31, 2010, Sprint had approximately $4.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

Sprint lost a total of 75,000 net subscribers in the quarter. Driven by the best year-over-year improvement in post-paid gross subscriber additions and the highest prepaid gross subscriber additions in five years, the company achieved the best total company net subscriber results since the third quarter of 2007. Net post-paid subscriber losses improved year-over-year as the company lost 670,000 fewer subscribers than in the first quarter of 2009.”

When the above is shown next to your facts, you will see that yours are not telling the whole truth.

DK,
Don’t be afraid of the Sprint horror stories you hear. Their name has become mud for various reasons (some earned, some not), but they are much improved over the years. I have no real complaints after being a customer for the past 10 years. They have the most economical plans & improved customer service. Calls on the Sprint network are far clearer than calls I receive from AT&T subscribers. I travel & have rarely, if ever, been let down by coverage (voice & 3G/EVDO data). By comparison, I have an AT&T phone for work & often struggle to download a few emails; while simultaneously tethering my Sprint phone to my laptop for streaming music. I don’t have any point of reference for Verizon or TMobile. I would like to see an objective comparison of Sprint’s coverage vs. Verizon, however.

The only thing with Sprint is they are often slow to get the “it” phone of the moment (Razr, iphone), but they still have good phones if you are less concerned with image. Perhaps the Evo will change that as I see many people openly lusting after that device.