Sprint may be acquired by Japan's SoftBank

2. PapaSmurf (Posts: 10457; Member since: 14 May 2012)

Sprint is taking its sweet time deploying LTE. If they're trying to be the turtle by going slow and steady, that's going to affect them.

5. fanesxx (Posts: 74; Member since: 19 May 2011)

yeah, they got an ace somewhere

16. TheRequiem (Posts: 245; Member since: 23 Mar 2012)

I disagree, it was only last year they announced Network Vision and are expected to be completely finished by end of 2013... according to their last quarterly report, they are beating expectations and turning on anywhere from 25 - 60 towers with LTE a day out of 38,000. They will also have 100 markets launched in the next few motnhs. This is actually one of the fastest rollouts I've ever seen and almost double that of AT&T considering their rate of progress.

Furthermore, They don't need the japanese, they are only likely considering the offer which isn't worth it for $20 billion. Sprint is worth about $15 billion more then that if you consider all their assets and revenue.

18. squallz506 (banned) (Posts: 1075; Member since: 19 Oct 2011)

True dat. Sprints balance sheet reports nearly$50B. No way would they consider a $15B bid.

Also the city where i live and a few surrounding towns already have consistent 25+mbps lte. Im just waiting for them to flip the switch where i go to school. I have gotten 4g there but its gone as i write this.

19. BREvenson (Posts: 240; Member since: 17 May 2012)

True...however I would believe that many people (analysts, critics, etc.) would focus more on the fact that AT&T and Verizon have more LTE markets than Sprint, and they are too little too late to catch up.

I do still see potential in Sprint, but they will not only need good-quality phones (other than the S III, of course), but a strong focus on providing customer satisfaction and reliable networks. Rolling out these LTE markets is a start; they just have to stay focused and keep working at making things better.

21. downphoenix (Posts: 3165; Member since: 19 Jun 2010)

Yea, its true they have a larger and faster LTE network at this time, but LTE on a 2-3gb data limit is like having a Ferrari with only 2 gallon gas tank capacity, it may get you there fast, but it wont get you far.

22. thunder18 (Posts: 140; Member since: 06 Aug 2009)

I think they're covered on the good quality phones. Evo LTE(better than the One X), Galaxy Nexus, Motorola Photon Q for the qwerty crowd, iPhone4, 4S and 5 and the aforementioned GS3. The only deficiency is Windows Phone devices in which I believe they have 2. They are in the midst of Network Vision so that is their focus on reliable networks. Also, customer service in which J.D. Power just awarded Sprint a customer service champion award last year.http://phandroid.com/2011/02/17/sprint-receives-customer-service-champion-award-from-j-d-power/
I'd say they're pretty much right on track with everything you mentioned.

27. lsutigers (Posts: 821; Member since: 08 Mar 2009)

thunder18, your post pretty much sums up the fact that Sprint is on the right track. They will prove all the haters wrong next year.

9. Connie.Linghus (banned) (Posts: 32; Member since: 14 Aug 2012)

This is fantastic news, the Japanese don't play around; I remember how formidable they were against the allies during World War II.

I do hope that this happens because, it might mean a more efficient Sprint; I just hope Softbank does away with those atrocious out-sourced call centers in Bombay.

10. kellkeezy (Posts: 57; Member since: 17 Dec 2011)

Da fuq?
Did I just read?

13. fervid (Posts: 183; Member since: 22 Nov 2011)

Yes, Pearl Harbor really prepared them for Mobile phones. Are they going to beat other carriers by bombing them while they sleep too?

17. Commentator (Posts: 3722; Member since: 16 Aug 2011)

I remember that too! Only, in my day, we didn't call it World War II, we called it The Great War Episode 2: America is the Best Country to Ever Exist. Boy, I'm so glad the Japanese military of 1941-45 is taking over the Sprint of 2012, maybe that'll knock some sense into 'em, daggummit!

29. tuminatr (Posts: 855; Member since: 23 Feb 2009)

I disagree look outside the USA, we are not the only country to have wireless. I dont think you can even pick up a LTE signal in many plases in Europe. If sprint keep its roll out dates they will have 100+ markets by the end of the year and finish the rest of the US in a year or so

11. moofoodooloo (Posts: 137; Member since: 04 Jan 2011)

Believe it or not, the radio signal is compromised when you're in buildings. Wiring, electronics, etc also interferes with the signal inside a home.

20. LordDavon (Posts: 136; Member since: 19 Sep 2011)

I don't see why not. I believe that Softbank has unlimited data plans in Japan.

28. Gawain (Posts: 423; Member since: 15 Apr 2010)

What is interesting is that the cash from SoftBank would just about pay off the debt Sprint has been riding since it bought Nextel. The bigger problem with this acquisition I think is none of the articles mention what would need to happen with Sprint's internet backbone. Yes, Sprint, not their telco spinoff Embarq, still owns a Tier 1 backbone (AS 1239). Regulators will not allow telecom infrastructure to be owned by a foreign entitiy (even from a friendly country).

Other than that, having used SoftBank service in Japan, they are a very reliable carrier. I had great coverage and no issues using them from Tokyo to Hokkaido.

15. MartyK (Posts: 930; Member since: 11 Apr 2012)

" I wonder if AT&T comes out against this just to get even",... Good point

23. downphoenix (Posts: 3165; Member since: 19 Jun 2010)

actually I think AT&t would welcome it. They could then proudly claim (and correctly) that they are the only US Carrier not owned by an overseas company.

24. thunder18 (Posts: 140; Member since: 06 Aug 2009)

It's an interesting point, but it's not like Sprint is going and buying up a bunch of regional carriers to consolidate and enlarge it's position in an effort to make itself a virtual monopoly...
If AT&T had gotten away with the T-Mobile purchase, they could for all intents and purposes set market trends they way they want them rather than natural market competition forcing them to conform to their competition.

12. iirundis05 (Posts: 8; Member since: 05 Feb 2012)

Deutsche Telekom (German foreign company) has 100% owned T-Mobile since 2001 just a year after the Vodafone and Verizon merger. So why would the feds stop them from completely taking over Sprint?

14. MartyK (Posts: 930; Member since: 11 Apr 2012)

Cause German is Europe and Sofbank is Asia...we all know the story...hahaha

25. elandrumiii (Posts: 109; Member since: 20 Mar 2010)

That was a bunch of small (real small) regional. Aerial, Voicestream boom T mobile never hit 50 million probably not even 40 Sprint was well towards 60million before the f'ed up the Nextel merger. Even Vodafone was not allowed more then 45% of VZW