Sprint introduces its new CEO

With a mandate to "improve execution across the board," wireless carrier Sprint Nextel named industry veteran Dan Hesse as its president and CEO.

Hesse is a former AT&T Wireless executive and was head of Embarq, the telephone division Sprint spun off in May last year, so he knows his way around the telecommunications business, but his new job nonetheless comes with considerable pressure.

Dan Hesse, president and CEO, Sprint

(Credit: Sprint Nextel)

The company's search for a new chief executive began in early October, when the Sprint board pushed out chairman and CEO Gary Forsee and tapped Chief Financial Officer Paul Saleh to become acting CEO.

Forsee's removal was precipitated in part by subscriber losses--about 330,000 in the third quarter alone--and the company's commitment to spend $5 billion on development of a next-generation wireless network based on WiMax technology.

Although it said it will continue development of its WiMax network, Sprint suspended a partnership it had struck in July with broadband specialist Clearwire. It's not yet clear what Hesse will do with what remains of Sprint's WiMax initiative.

In a note distributed on Tuesday, telecommunications analyst Jeff Kagan called Hesse's appointment "great news" for Sprint, citing his success in building market share for AT&T and in running Embarq.

"I think Dan taking over at Sprint is exactly what the company needs," Kagan wrote. "I also think it is the big challenge that Dan needs."

[DougXD]

We'll See......

I continue to experience crappy customer service from Sprint.....the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing; it takes multiple calls to get anything done beyond paying your bill. It's a total disaster right now. I sure hope this dude can put things back together.

Having said that, the overall wireless service (from a capability standpoint) continues to be my favorite.

[crusadex]

doubt it too

http://blog.tmcnet.com/mt3/p.fcgi

Some of sprints faithful customers and their wounds.Take a look
new Ceo

Seriously this company needs to be sold and shut down.

[AnyName2]

I left Sprint after 5 years. The reason? Sprint telemarketers were calling me DURING BUSINESS HOURS. At first I repectfully requested to not be contacted, and I immediately called Sprint customer service requesting not to be contacted.
Did they respect my wishes????? NO! Within 6 more days, I had an additional 4 calls - DURING BUSINESS HOURS. HOW DARE THEY???? People can get fired for that. I cancelled my account. Now they think I'm going to pay an early termination fee!!! They can go pound sand!!
And for those who don't know this - even if you are on the do not call registry, if you are doing business with a company, they can call you anytime they like. You have to request they not contact you. Since all companies are slimebuckets, I would recommend you contact them via registered letter.

[RONSONN]

I have been a customer of Sprint for over 5 years and in fact, it's the only cell phone company I've had....until now! The way I have been treated by Sprint leads me to think they're only concerned with one thing....bottom line....by any mean!. I have been lied to; billed for services which should not have been and had my contract extended for no reason. The hoops I had to jump through, and the myriad of customer reps I've had to talk with proves to me that the customer is not the focal point of Sprint's business decision. It's bottom line, bottom line, bottom line with that company. I am in the process of finding a new cell phone carrier.

[snwprncss69]

Sprint, in my opinion and experience, is the worst company in the history of this country. I tried to open an account with them 10 years ago. They turned me down, based on my credit, which was perfect. They then sent me a bill for the account they never opened for me. I fought it for months. They told me they'd fix it, and they did not. After months of "negotiating" an account they never opened for me, my bill was brought down to 22 cents, which I sent them in pennies, because I was so angry and frusterated. Because of this, I have never had an account with them, ever. Now, this week (ten years later) I pulled a credit report to find 3 deragatory Sprint PCS accounts in my name. I have to prove my addresses, file a police report and defend myself. I think it was them! Why would they open 3 accounts for the same person over 10 years who was $500 delinquent at a time? It's insane. They are still causing me endless grief, and waste of time and I think they are fradulently doing it, intentionally, to generate revenue. I agree with the earlier post. They need to be shut down. They are absolutely unethical, callous and utterly disgraceful.

[drakanniem]

Dan Hesse,
HELP your customers! Sprint has put my little company out of business with a $1, 481.29 bill! I have been disputing my bills since January 2009, with the first bill of $1,043.00 for two months!. This is not rocket science, it is arithmetic. My plan is only $109.99 per month with data/text/2 lines at $20: $200.00 per month. Since January 2009, Sprint keeps billing for each line with a separate plan. I've call and when to the Sprint store to get it resolved. They give me credits and the next bill is the same. Now Sprint has turned off my service. I have spoke to countless reps on the phone and at the Torrance Sprint store. Only Tony tried to help and the credit was denied. I'm done. After 10 reps over the past five months and the last two days I've talked to five Sprint reps trying to solve the problem with not resolve. Not even the so called "Resolution Team" would help. I guess it is time to sue as they have sent me to collections - and collections only wants $1,481.29.

My family has left Sprint. I have had my numbers for years. I have been a loyal Sprint customer since Sprint was a NWM company stating out with the first Palm Pilot TP-1000. I stayed through the early years of poor customer service where one rep actually lost my original Plan that had 2000 minutes with four shared lines. I think Sprint has the best service, but the billing department needs to be scrapped - start fresh! The left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing. It's a total disaster for my small company to start over with a new telephone number and service. Only Sprint works in RPV.

Having said all this the overall wireless service is my favorite. I wish someone could help me. My Sprint number is 310-936.3086. I am finding a new cell phone carrier, but Verizon and AT&T do not work up here on the Hill.

[drakanniem]

Dan Hess,
I am a happy customer again. Sprint Exec department resolved the billing error.
Business shut down for over a month, however when things go wrong
step back, re-evaluate, make a new plan and get back in the race!
Starting a new internet business - Ask Saquina and Cash in a Flash:-)
I am staying with Sprint and rebuilding my customer base.
Thank you Jennifer Fain for you perseverance, patience and tenacity.
Something Wonderful is Always Unfolding.
Saquina Akanni
310-936-9294
The Prosperity Doctor
www.saquinaakanni.com

[Can_You_Help]

Mr. Dan Hesse

I hope you?re reading this and the others above!
I am appealing to you for help for everyone that?s a customer of sprint.
Your billing department has some serious problems and I think I know why.
Its really complex and I?m hoping you already know.
If you don?t, I welcome you to view my bill over the last five years and all the calls I?ve made to get problems corrected. You can call me if you like I?d be happy to explain what I believe is causing the problems within your billing department. (Actually my wife figured it out) at least what keeps happening to us. I?m talking serious over charges in excess of $1200.00 in the past that I was able to get corrected after hours of my time on the phone with Sprint. I should be billing Sprint for repeatedly wasting my time.
Currently I?m battling another problem with Sprint. This one is only a $10.00 over charge for a service I have blocked. I spent over an hour on the phone with an agent and her supervisor. This time it?s a matter of principal, what I ended up with is being told unfortunately there is no record, several times. I tried to explain he must not be looking in the correct place because this has happened before!!! They found it and fixed it! There has to be a record of it. I ended up getting so frustrated I hung up on him. What ever happened to the customer is always right. In this case I am right and the fellow I had been speaking to kept saying unfortunately for a matter of only $10.00. What is that!
I wanted to let someone high in the Sprint company know how I feel, Sorry Dan but I?ve seen you on T.V. you were the first one I thought of and googled. (Look what I found.)
My current problem is still unsolved if you care to join in and please do look at my account I give you my permission or anyone else that can help, and see what they have been telling me.

Thanks, Mark Sinatra 619 438-3139