Can Sprint Remain Competitive Against Verizon, T-Mobile And AT&T? – Carrier Wrap Episode 26

The domestic market’s three largest mobile carriers recently reported first quarter financial results, all showing various strengths and weaknesses across different sections of their operations.

On this week’s Carrier Wrap, we speak with Bill Ho, founder and principal analyst at 556 Ventures, to look at the latest financial results from Sprint. The carrier recently announced mixed results, showing overall net connection additions to its network on the back of wholesale and affiliate partners, though overall flat revenues.

Ho touched on a number of issues currently facing Sprint, including many that were highlighted by CEO Marcelo Claure since being tapped to run the carrier. Those include Sprint’s value proposition, its overall network performance, a drive to reduce costs and the revamping of its leadership structure.

One area that continues to be an issue for Ho is Sprint’s ongoing network performance plans. The carrier noted in its latest results that capital expenditures for 2016 could come in as low as $3 billion due to uncertainty surrounding its small cell and network densification plans. That number is around half of what nationwide wireless carriers typically spend on capex, which has industry analysts wondering about Sprint’s promise of improving network performance.

In a recent “Analyst Angle” column, IGR President and Founder Iain Gillott noted Sprint’s current network capacity and capabilities will likely be the same a year from now, which could be a competitive disadvantage as its rivals Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US continue pouring billions into bolstering their operations.

Thanks for joining us on this week’s carrier wrap, and make sure to check us out again next week when we are scheduled to speak with Angela Giancarlo, partner in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice at Mayer Brown, to get an update on the Federal Communications Commission’s 600 MHz spectrum auction proceedings.

With all of the Sprint talk out of the way, Show host Dan Meyer and Ho also discussed their shared affection for Glenlivet 12-Year Scotch. Both managed to highlight the brand as their Scotch of topic for the conversation, noting the reasonably priced cordial had an agreeable taste and should be a staple for every household, regardless of their view on Scotch.

Show more