Deal between Sprint and Mobilitie represents an important milestone in the delivery of Network Vision, clearing the way for spectrum flexibility; includes opportunities to expand the current relationship via build-to-suit solutions
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), August 17, 2011 - Sprint (NYSE:S) today announced it has amended important contracts with Mobilitie to help enable the delivery of next-generation networks through Sprint’s Network Vision plan. The agreement involves several hundred of Sprint’s existing nationwide cell sites with Mobilitie and includes opportunities to expand the current relationship via build-to-suit solutions.
Network Vision, announced in December 2010, is expected to provide an enhanced network experience by improving voice quality and providing faster data speeds while creating network flexibility, reducing operating costs and improving environmental sustainability. The agreement with Mobilitie helps enable several of these benefits.
The agreement:
Provides Sprint with the flexibility it needs to deploy next-generation technologies and to effect its future migration from iDEN.
Enables a quicker deployment of Network Vision by allowing Sprint to operate existing and new Network Vision equipment simultaneously during the transition, enabling a smoother change for customers.
Gives Sprint the ability to utilize build-to-suit solutions to meet Sprint’s Network Vision schedule.
“We are pleased to reach this agreement with Mobilitie as we evolve our networks to meet the needs of our growing customer base,” said John Harrison, vice president, of Network Supplier Performance Management, Sprint. “We look forward to a continued relationship as we roll out Network Vision sites nationwide.”
“We are excited about our partnership with Sprint. Helping Sprint provide quality wireless service in conjunction with the Network Vision program is a high priority for us. Mobilitie is uniquely qualified and prepared to ensure that we are responsive to Sprint’s requirements,” said Keith Paglusch, vice president - Network Strategy, Mobilitie.
Since the announcement of Network Vision, Sprint has been aggressively working with its vendors to plan, test and begin site preparations. In the lab, calls have successfully been completed on 800 MHz 1x voice, 1x data and SMS. 1900 on MHz 1x voice, 1x data, SMS and EVDO have also been completed. Work has begun on thousands of sites and renegotiation of existing contracts with tower companies is an important step in launching these sites later this year.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 51 million customers at the end of 1Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
About Mobilitie
Mobilitie is a provider of carrier-centric business solutions incorporating industry-leading infrastructure terms and conditions that are unrivalled by any other tower company. Mobilitie’s flexibility and efficiency help wireless and wireline carriers to preserve precious capital while accelerating network deployment. Designed by carriers for carriers, proprietary operating covenants make Mobilitie financially and operationally far superior to any alternative for infrastructure ownership in North America, South America or Europe. For more information, visit www.Mobilitie.com