Comments on: Sprint's WiMax dilemma

Sprint Nextel's ousted CEO may not be the only casualty as unhappy investors pressure the company to dump plans for a next-generation network.

[ozindfw]

Big Money and WiMAX

When you have a coupla billion dollars at stake, I guess it's not too surprising that you'd be conservative.

Smart people do stupid things all of the time, but I'm really surprised that big investors in tech and telecom stocks don't understand the difference between mature and evolving markets. Sprint is pretty clearly in an "innovate or die" environment. Focusing on today means few tomorrows or huge catchup investments.

This move may be the best thing for Google, Microsoft, Verizon and AT&T, it takes some of the investment pressure off and gives Google and M$ more options. One option may be buying Sprint at firesale prices from investors running scared. Something about "keeping your head when all about you are losing theirs"

[USDecliningDollar]

Snatching Defeat From The Jaws of Victory

Just when Sprint was about to knock one out of the park ... they pull the batter and put in someone who can only make base hits.

Sprint - without WiMax, it is just another crappy cellular company with crappy customer service and crappy coverage.

If Sprint ditches WiMax, they will have nothing and this turd will sink to the bottom of the toilet.

[Felisita Cheung]

WiMax Litmus Test

With the advent of iPhone and other converged media devices, I cant help but be excited with Wimax. It will spur the adoption of internet mobility, hence there will be real-time information and opportunities in e-ads.

Network operators such as Verizon or AT&T offers internet connection that lags behind hotspots wi-fi. I have previously owned a Treo and it commendably works with text-infused web pages. But what about streaming videos or skype on the run?

Contemplating on this matter--surely telecom giants wont provide me a Skype option to make phone calls or text cheaply. That's against profit code.

And so I look forward to WiMax as an alternative or the 700Mhz spectrum auction next year. Regardless of the outcome, I hope to use my 80G unlocked iPhone/Skype-Google enabled device.

[curtiscarmack]

Sigh . . .

Count me as another Sprint customer hanging on to wait for WiMAX. If it doesn't happen, I will go elsewhere to whomever does implement it, so long as there is an open device policy. I hope, along with others, that if Sprint fails, Google or someone else will buy the relevant assets and build out the WiMAX network. I certainly don't want to give a dime to the closed network folks at Verizon or AT&T. Sprint's announced business model of open devices was one of the biggest attractions of its proposed network. Oh well, we'll just have to wait a little longer for someone who knows how to disrupt instead of milk.

[Whist34]

Smart Move

Customers want reliable wireless broadband access. And not just to check their email or surf the web. They want it to watch streaming video, listen to internet raido, and most importantly to play online games like WoW. That is the next generation of service. That is where Sprint is headed with this plan. Imagine portable X-Box's where kids play online games using this technology - do you really think Sprint will go bankrupt providing true wireless broadband to that customer base? Not to mention all the other customers who have been waiting for this kind of service.

Before you discount Sprint's ideas you need to do some market research - Ask people if they want to play online games via their wireless notebook (or eventual wireless xbox, psp, etc.) Also ask their kids. Right now we all know how big texting is - think about people having the option of making it a video conference instead.

[rtuinenburg]

Sprint DO NOT be fools!

Currently in the wireless market you are a dead dog, you need new technology, and Wimax is the future. I have been saying this for years. You will become a true ISP. True IP all the way, wireless, backbone,etc. You will blow away the competition, you have great partners who obviously believe in you. What more do you want? If you dont do it, someone else will. Yes, you will not be able to charge crazy monthly fees, but there is NO stopping this technology. Hopefully you can capture such a large audience (because you will be the front runner) that you will still make nice profits in volume. If you play your cards right you can not only take over the wireless market, but also the DSL/Cable Market. As a user I want to be able to use my wimax at home, and only my ambitious wireless device (note I did not use cell phone). Freaking Paradise!! Wimax will change the world when its in full use. Everything will change around us because of this technology. All manufactures who make electronic devices will have the availability of using Wimax, this opens up the capability to do SOOO MUCH!! A true network of devices can be created, the fridge can talk to the TV or your wireless device or grocery store.. you see where I am going with this. Everything can be talking to each other. The impact on society can be great, and I think with some new privacy laws it can be great. Sprint you will be stabbing your self in the back if you do not follow thru on this technology. Listen to the techies, we know what the hell we are talking about.

[RichKatz]

WiMax is the future: activist investors should fight Apple

The people attacking Sprint and who forced Gary Forsee out have their shoes on the wrong feet. They are attacking Sprint for doing something right (WiMax) instead of helping Sprint fight against what are may be illegal market power moves of AT&T.

What they should be attacking instead are the companies who have colluded to prevent Sprint from equal access to the wireless phone market generated by Apple's iPhone. Sprint has built out the faster and better network and they should be allowed to compete with it.

I agree with the poster who said they're with Sprint for WiMax. There is nothing at all "risky" about WiMax. It would, in fact, enable Sprint to be a carrier for bundled services that include voice, Internet, and even High Def services.

With WiMax, Sprint has a service that would force its competition to improve rather than constantly block the America consumer.

[clazarowitz]

I'm only still with srpint for WiMax

Sprint:
All of my family is on Verizon. I said give me 1 good reason to stay with sprint instead of being able to call family for free anytime I wanted. You said, "1 word, WiMax." I said, "I'm staying with sprint! I'm telling all my friends about this. If it hits the areas my family lives in, I'll get them on Sprint!" Now you say, oh its too risky?! Well then I say, goodbye! My Contract with you is over as of about 3 weeks ago. I can leave anytime. You stop wimax, you lose me, and pretty much the futute business of everyone I know who I had convinced to switch to sprint for a 4G network. Please, try not to think about what will maximize profits in the shortterm. Think long term. Think whats good for the country, not whats good for your bank account tomorrow at 12:00am. Seriously.

[artiste88]

SPRINT'S-WIMAX-DILEMMA

Sprint definitely needs to stick with it's plans for WiMax and concentrate on improving it's customer service. Like bringing it back to the United States and making sure it's reps are thoroughly trained and have the tools they need at their fingertips at the speed of light to perform their jobs.