At the rate Sprint is losing customers (subscribers), I expect the
earnings announcement to be bad, really bad.

I'm sure the stock will be hit very bad when they announce earnings on
November 1st and for a few days following the earnings announcement,
but I believe that'll be a very good buying opportunity. Wait until a
week or so after Sprint's November 1st earnings announcement for the
smoke to clear and take advantage of the buying opportunity.

They have some good stuff on the horizon, but the earnings hit to the
stock price will be very bad.

Institutional investors own 90% of Sprint and I imagine that none of
those managers expect good earnings. Nor, I suspect, do investors like
you and me, and the current share price reflects as much. Earnings are
going to be bad, but it's expected.

p.s.  didn't Sprint basically already pretty much say that earnings
would be lackluster around the time they showed him to the door?

Good point, but you know how the market reacts to such bad info...

It's all about the earnings, and they'll be bad. Probably worse than
expected once you factor in additional subscriber loss to (for
example) AT&T from customers that left Sprint to get an iPhone. Apple
sold 1.119 Million iPhones last quarter and although a small number of
them may hack them to use on other carriers (not compatible with
Sprint's network), most of those subscribers will be headed to AT&T
and they have to come from somewhere and since I doubt they are all
first time phone owners, a good portion of them will come from Sprint.

It'll be ugly, but will present a good buying opportunity within a
week or so after the dip.

The Google/Sprint alliance is the bright spot. After they announce
earnings, at some point, there will be a good buying opportunity.

I'm sure the stock will dip in the first week of November,
unfortunately, I'm working with a slight loss so I'm going to hold on
to it. I'm thinking that Sprint will offset the bad news in some way,
probably by shifting the Xohm marketing campaign into gear. The
initial drop due to a bad earnings report will work in Sprint's favor
creating a very delicious buy come mid November. I can't find any kind
of specific roadmap for the Xohm rollout, but it's going to start in 3
to 4 cities in early 2008 with a complete nationwide rollout by the
end of 2008. The first Xohm real-world test in Chicago was a success,
racking bit rates of 3.2 Mbps downstream and 1.5 Mbps upstream while
stationary and 2.4 Mbps down / 1.4 Mbps up while cruising down the
Chicago River in a boat (30ft below sea level). In layman's terms...
its FAST!
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070925-when-wireless-dsl-sprin...

The real-world performance ceiling for WiMax is about 10 Mbps, but on
paper it's said to acheive up to 70 Mbps.

Another important note from that article was Motorola saying that
WiMax gateways will be available to consumers, this suggests that
Sprint may become a total solution ISP.

Re-iterated is the fact that Intel is rolling out their new mobile
chipsets with WiMax included in Q1/Q2 2008 and that Sprint, Intel, and
Moto want WiMax to be used in everything from digital cameras to
printers!

My only concern is Sprint pricing, not even a rumor has surfaced about
pricing. The most info I've been able to scrounge up is this article -
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBas...
.With such big-name backing, I don't think Sprint is going to
overprice it's WiMax data plans.

I'm into Sprint primarily on WiMAX, but also factored in their renewed
marketing. I'm a brand strategist/ad guy, and for the first time in
years found myself actually digging Sprint's look and message,
something that's been pitiful for years. Combine that with rolling out
a couple of decent phones and maybe churn's been reduced. Certainly no
one's switching to Sprint because of this, but it might have stanched
the bleeding a bit, enough to be a surprise (as in "hey, we didn't
lose as many as you were thinking!"). Mmm, maybe not, but it sets the
stage, brand-wise.  Any thoughts on the new image/campaign?

Other than the Xohm website, they haven't really shown what they're
going to do with the Xohm marketing. I personally think they could've
picked a better name for their WiMax service, but I thought the same
thing when Nintendo picked Wii as the name for it's "revolution"
project, but as seen with the Wii, the name means nothing when it
comes to groundbreaking technologies.

Take the Zune for example. Zune was a terrible name given to a product
that wasn't very groundbreaking and it actually hurt product
acceptance. Microsoft saved Zune from failure by doing something
groundbreaking... allowing all Zune 1.0 devices to become new Zune 2.0
devices with a free software update. Apple never even thought about
doing that with their dominant iPod. Xohm is a groundbreaking
technology... it will be the fastest and most cost-efficient wireless
data consumer network in the US.

I'm a software engineering student, not a marketing expert... at best,
I can only predict what my demographic will accept and what
technologies look promising.

Although the earnings will be ugly, I do believe that WiMax has a lot
to offer and that's the reason I think a horrible earnings report may
present a good buying opportunity, but not until after the carnage
that we'll see after the earnings report.

WiMax looks sooo good, I'll finally be able to get rid of Comcast!

Amen brother... I'm waiting until mid-november to pick up a few
hundred more shares of Sprint. Hopefully we'll hear specifics on what
Sprint is going to do with it's Xohm pricing plans. If they have some
kind of all-in-one plan that gives WiMax service to your home and
mobile phone for $60-$75 a month, I'll be all over it and so will
others. I can't wait to cut back my comcast service to just the $20/mo
basic cable and switch to Xohm!

All the bad press about Sprint's horrid customer service is already
causing them to improve it. Instead of doing the typical luxury
service pricing popular with new technology releases, I hope they
realize that keeping WiMax pricing reasonable and improving customer
service will lead them to the magical land of massive net revenue.
Sprint, if you're reading this, price the plans well and they will
come!!! Comcast, Verizon, and all other ISP/Telecom companies will
have a major problem.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/comcast/75+year+old-sends-a-hammering-blow...

Hi Matt,

I agree with you 100% except the customer service issue.

Although they appear to be improving customer service at their retail
stores and call centers, they are making a devastating mistake with
their 3rd party plans. Sprint is allowing 3rd party stores (stores not
owned or operated by Sprint) to open that look exactly like Sprint
company stores to the point that employees at these 3rd party stores
even wear the exact same shirts/uniforms. These stores falsely
represent themselves as Sprint company stores and are unable and
unwilling to offer any level of customer service after the sale,
referring these customers to actual Sprint stores that can handle
customer accounts. Even worse, these 3rd party stores are not
obligated to follow any pricing guidelines and this presents obvious
problems. You have 2 stores that appear to be actual Sprint stores
competing against each other, while one is an actual Sprint company
store where prices are displayed and the customer can get some help if
necessary, and the other has no prices shown, tells the customer
they'll beat the "other" Sprint store's prices and the employees act
like they should be selling fake Rolexs on Canal Street. This is a BAD
move for Sprint. How about security implications. Employees at actual
Sprint company stores are required to pass drug and background checks,
not so with the 3rd party stores. These people have customers' Social
Security numbers (used in credit check for service) and everything
else they need to wreak havok on your credit and finances. Who do you
think the ripped off customer is going after when the crap hits the
fan? Some fly-by-night company that they were misled into believing
was a Sprint store (with Sprint's blessing) or the Sprint/Nextel
Corporation? No court would allow Sprint to isolate itself for this
type of exposure especially when Sprint let the 3rd party look and act
like an actual Sprint store with their blessing.

Picture this...
Poor unsuspecting customer gets scammed by the 3rd party store (that
looks/acts just like an actual Sprint store) where they charge them
for services that they didn't want, tell them they'll get rebates that
they can't and aren't even eligible for. Customer gets their bill and
it's way more than it was supposed to be, they never get the rebates
they were told they would get, countless other problems with their
account. Customer goes back to the 3rd party store, 3rd party tell
them to take a walk (they only care about the inital sale) and tell
them to try a real Sprint store. At this point you have one pissed off
customer...Customer goes to the real Sprint store and they can't fix
all the lies they were told by the third party, for example, you can't
get a rebate you were never eligible for, etc. Customer even more
pissed and frustrated...

I know of at least one instance where Sprint let one of these 3rd
party stores open in the same mall as an existing real Sprint store.

Customer service is going to plummet and margins are getting hammered.

Can you link me to an article about that?

I'm not seeing anything about 3rd party stores. I do see a 3rd party
certification program though, but it doesn't look like it's for retail
stores.

Sprint did sign a deal with Walmart to offer Boost Unlimited in 12
states(938 stores) though.

Seems like Sprint is trying to keep the 3rd party program quiet, I
don't think I've seen an official release on the program.

If you search forums like www.sprintusers.com or one of the other
phone forums, you'll see some posts about people's experiences with
them.

I don't work for Sprint, but I know people who do and these 3rd party
stores are popping up everywhere around here. They have official
looking Sprint signs, the same the real stores have, and even wear
shirts like the real stores...real deceiving. It's weird, I don't know
what moron came up with the idea, but it's wreaking havoc with the
real stores, since the "fake" stores are undercutting the prices and
misleading the customers. Then, when there's a problem the fake stores
can't or won't help and the real stores end up with the fake stores'
headaches. The customers are actually going back and forth between the
real and fake stores negotiating on price, buying from whichever one
gives them the best price, which is usually the 3rd party because
they'll lie about rebates or rip them off on service pricing and
"slam" them with extra charges for services they didn't want on their
contracts. All the wile the customer thinks this 3rd party is an
actual Sprint store.

Here's a link to one of the companies with 3rd party/fake Sprint
stores...

http://www.vipwireless.com

If you go on their site, they have a listing of store locations with
pictures of the stores next to them. Funny thing is, the stores that
are set up as fake or look-alike stores have a generic photo and not a
photo of the actual store...sneaky. They are completely
misrepresenting themselves as a Sprint company store.  Weird, I wonder
if the corporate higher ups are even aware of this?

It's not just VIP either, apparently anybody can open a "Sprint" store
that's not actually a Sprint store.

Because of this you're going to see massive "churn" or customer
turnover and loss due to the headaches this causes for the customer.
You'll also see significantly reduced margins for Sprint.

Purchased the unlimited mobile broadband package at the VIP store near
me and couldn't be happier...The clerk was very knowlegeable and
helpful.  He explained everything to me well and I have been very
satisfied with my purchase so far.  There was NO surprises!  Got my
rebate very quickly on the device also!  This new WiMax might really
be great stuff, I can't say till I try it, but this mobile broadband
is working well on BOTH my desktop and laptop!  I'm in an area where i
cannot get DSL OR cable at the present time and this is GREAT!

Lets see...
Your first and only post on the finance forums is basically a
commercial for VlP, probably your employer.

I used to own quite a bit of Sprint stock and luckily got out before
things went bad. I am, however, reconsidering this stock since it's
dropped so much and may present a buying opportunity but when I found
out about the fake Sprint stores and Sprint's 3rd party blunders, I
had to see for myself.

Speaking from first hand experience, I can tell you that these people
at the fake Sprint store were misrepresenting themselves as an actual
Sprint company store. Let me put this in simple terms for you...they
lied to me about being an official Sprint company store and would not
give a straight answer when they realized I knew they were not an
actual Sprint company store.

To be absolutely honest with you, since aparently anyone can open up a
fake 3rd party Sprint store (that looks identical to a real Sprint
store), I have no interest in your company, but I am interested in
Sprint and it's mistakes. This 3rd party fiasco is a mistake and I'm
interested in how Sprint's going to rid itself of this problem.

These forums are for investors, if you want to push your company, go
somewhere else and get back to selling phones.

Obviously, you know NOTHING about me...Have never worked for Sprint
nor VIP wireless..I was just stating an opinion because I have made a
purchase...They never representated themselves as a company store to
me, at the time I wasn't even thinking about that, I was just
interested in the mobile broadband...No doubt Sprint has made
mistakes, very few companies haven't...I DO NOT own Sprint stock at
this time, although mutual funds I own do have it....Have owned Sprint
stock in the past...It's too bad people like yourself assume I must be
an employee just because I've had a good experience...It's sad...

LOL...I know everything I need to know.

Your first and now second and only posts on the FINANCE forums are
basically commercials for VlP which is probably not a publicly traded
company and is probably your employer.

Do you mean to tell me that out of all the companies out there, the
only company you have anything to say about is some little company
nobody cares about and isn't even a publicly traded company(which is
what these forums are for)? Haven't you ever dealt with Amazon,
Target, Macy's or Sears? Why no praise about them or some other
company?

My point in mentioning your company wasn't to beat up on it, since
they're not the only ones doing it, it was just mentioned when
describing the grave Sprint is digging for itself with this 3rd party
mess. I'm only concerned with Sprint, and the fact that Sprint is
actively participating in deceiving it's customers by letting anybody
open up stores that look (and act) like actual Sprint company stores.

Like I said, since aparently anyone can open up a fake 3rd party
Sprint store (that looks identical to a real Sprint store), I have no
interest in your company, but as an investor I am interested in Sprint
and it's mistakes. I don't blame these people for taking advantage of
Sprint's mistakes (hey, I'd probably do it too if I had to sell phones
for a living...lol), I blame Sprint. This 3rd party fiasco is a big
mistake and I'm interested in how Sprint and (eventually) the new CEO
are going to rid the company of this problem.

LOL...I know everything I need to know.

Your first and now second and only posts on the FINANCE forums are
basically commercials for VlP which is probably not a publicly traded
company and is probably your employer.

Do you mean to tell me that out of all the companies out there, the
only company you have anything to say about is some little company
nobody cares about and isn't even a publicly traded company(which is
what these forums are for)? Haven't you ever dealt with Amazon,
Target, Macy's or Sears? Why no praise about them or some other
company?

My point in mentioning your company wasn't to beat up on it, since
they're not the only ones doing it, it was just mentioned when
describing the grave Sprint is digging for itself with this 3rd party
mess. I'm only concerned with Sprint, and the fact that Sprint is
actively participating in deceiving it's customers by letting anybody
open up stores that look (and act) like actual Sprint company stores.

Like I said, since aparently anyone can open up a fake 3rd party
Sprint store (that looks identical to a real Sprint store), I have no
interest in your company, but as an investor I am interested in Sprint
and it's mistakes. I don't blame these people for taking advantage of
Sprint's mistakes (hey, I'd probably do it too if I had to sell phones
for a living...lol), I blame Sprint. This 3rd party fiasco is a big
mistake and I'm interested in how Sprint and (eventually) the new CEO
are going to rid the company of this problem.

Personally, I could care less if VIP ceases to exist today, I only
posted because they were villified as if they were doing something
wrong.  It IS Sprint that may be doing something wrong  and you may
have a valid point, although VIP did not pretend to be a Corporate
store!  The ONLY Corporate store near me CLOSED awhile back!!
Probably would have gone and purchased from them had they still been
available!   Sprint very well may be digging themselves a hole, but
why are they closing the Corporate stores????   WHO should I have
purchased this device from????   Online????   I was looking online to
purchase BEFORE going to VIP and the price was the same and the VIP
guy said that if I wasn't happy with the reception in my area, to just
return everything within 30 days...Since I didn't return it, I really
can't tell you how the service is with VIP...Maybe it would have been
a hassle???   Can't say...If the device fails within the years
guarantee, I will be there to return it for sure!!   Then maybe I can
knock VIP as a bad outfit if I get into a hassle.

That's fair, Tom.

Now let's get back on topic, earnings...