Uh oh...Japanese carrier in advanced talks to buy Sprint

[Fritzo]

Changes are a comin'?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012...-talks-idUSL3E8LB41W20121011?type=marketsNews

Softbank in talks to buy majority of Sprint for more than $12.8 bln -source

Oct 11 (Reuters) - Japan's Softbank Corp is in talks to acquire a majority stake in Sprint Nextel, the No. 3 wireless carrier in the United States, for more than 1 trillion yen ($12.8 billion), a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

 

[Phokus]

Why uh oh? Sprint has been such a screwed up company, maybe this new company can unscrew them.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Soft bank is one of the largest mobile carrier in japan.

 

[Fritzo]

Uh oh because what if they come in and say "Yeah...no more unlimited data, no more MVNO's, and we're now doing shared data plans to match Verizon."

 

[Phokus]

Uh oh because what if they come in and say "Yeah...no more unlimited data, no more MVNO's, and we're now doing shared data plans to match Verizon."

Then they go bankrupt, that's like Spritn's only selling point. It sure as hell isn't their coverage.

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

I seem to recall reading in another thread that Japanese cellular users deal with some of the worst plans in the world. More restrictive/more expensive than ours even.

At any rate, it really was just a matter of time. Sprint hasn't managed to stay competitive. I was with them for two years and while their customer service was top notch, their data network was just awful. And they've been moving very slowly to fix that.

 

[zerogear]

Softbank bought out the Vodafone branch in Japan years ago. They're coming to US shores? :x

 

[Dulanic]

I was with them for two years and while their customer service was top notch, their data network was just awful. And they've been moving very slowly to fix that.

It's rather funny actually... their customer service used to be THE worst amoung all carriers. Thankfully Dan Hesse came in and made that their top priority. The down side is, he forgot the network needed work until recently. Hopefully, the LTE rollout is completed ahead of schedule.

Either way, I think I am going to be going to prepaid shortly so I have more flexibility.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

This will be interesting if real. Would they keep Dan Hesse as CEO as he has been working hard to turn the company around?

Soft bank is one of the largest mobile carrier in japan.

They were saying it's the 3rd largest in Japan.

 

[Dari]

They don't use CDMA and WiMax in Japan too so this does not makes technological sense. KDDI uses those tech. But Sprint is going to LTE and Softbank is GSM so they may be going that route as well.

My point is, as things currently stand, there is no economies of scale, tech-wise. I think they may be doing it because Sprint has been badly managed and they may do a better job. Also, since Softbank and Sprint may converge on LTE, it would make more sense looking forward. We'll see how all this pans out.

 

[benzylic]

Why was sprint, reportedly, in talks with metropcs then? Trying to make themselves more attractive?

 

[Ravynmagi]

DT arranges a reverse merger with MetroPCS and T-Mobile.
Sprint says they are now considering buying MetroPCS, but want to wait a bit to see how things shake out (sounds like they have about 3 months before MetroPCS shareholders vote on the T-Mobile deal).
And now Soft Bank wants to acquire Sprint.

All the fishes are eating each other.

 

[corkyg]

It can't hurt. I left Sprint after 10+ years due to lack of coverage with decent signal strength. Wireless communications is starting to look like the old PacMan game.

 

[NutBucket]

Why was sprint, reportedly, in talks with metropcs then? Trying to make themselves more attractive?

Metro and Sprint at least use the same network protocols and both both are deploying LTE. Makes more sense to me than Metro/Tmo jumping into bed together.

I don't think hybrid vigor is a factor for cell networks

 

[forumuser]

It's pretty impressive, Sprint's turnaround from WiMAX to LTE. They do deserve props for that. It's not an easy thing to do, both politically or technically.

 

[gus6464]

Sprint's unlimited data slogan is worthless when their data speeds are just absolute trash compared to everyone else.

 

[slag]

Sprint's unlimited data slogan is worthless when their data speeds are just absolute trash compared to everyone else.

You have no idea what you are talking about.

I have the SGS3 and get 24MB down, 9MB up which is FASTER than the wired signal in my house. I get this both in Lawrence where I live, Topeka where I work, and Kansas City.

yes, absolute trash is right.. :whiste::whiste::whiste:

 

[Apex]

You have no idea what you are talking about.

I have the SGS3 and get 24MB down, 9MB up which is FASTER than the wired signal in my house. I get this both in Lawrence where I live, Topeka where I work, and Kansas City.

yes, absolute trash is right.. :whiste::whiste::whiste:

Sprint's LTE speeds are very good, but in very very very few markets right now (you're in one of only 5 markets, with partial 24 markets here/coming). Sprint's 3G and "4G" (WiMax) speeds are terrible in most markets.

The hope is, they'll be in 100 markets by sometime in 2013. They're behind in rolling out many (ie. Los Angeles was pushed from late 2012 to Jan 2013, and now to Mar 2013 for partial completion), but at least it's coming.

Honestly, it really comes down to which carrier works in your specific area. For where I live, only Sprint works. I get an OK signal at home, and a working signal at my kids school. Verizon has a better signal at home, but no signal at all at the school. AT&T, T-Mobile, and others get no signal at either locations. LOL, sucks to be me.

 

[Anonemous]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=t3Pvbbadd4s

Dog wants steak

 

[Anonemous]

What SoftBank sees in Sprint...

http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/3g/what-softbank-sees-in-sprint/240008446

 

[jersiq]

What SoftBank sees in Sprint...

http://www.informationweek.com/mobility/3g/what-softbank-sees-in-sprint/240008446

Good lord, that writer needs to do his homework.

Most importantly, Sprint's core network overhaul is using multi-modal base station technology and runs on an entirely digital IMS platform. Once finished, it will be an advanced network.

Newsflash, all IMS networks are digital. All LTE operators will provide an IMS offering. (well maybe cricket doesn't, but do they count?). Lastly, IMS is hardly the offering you'd want in place for LTE control plane. I'd rather stick to the standards which call for an MME/SGW/PGW combination.

Spectrum

Really....a wireless company wants to acquire spectrum. Who would have thought....
And the rest is just filler to fit a page. Nothing much even said in the article.

 

[boomhower]

They don't use CDMA and WiMax in Japan too so this does not makes technological sense. KDDI uses those tech. But Sprint is going to LTE and Softbank is GSM so they may be going that route as well.

My point is, as things currently stand, there is no economies of scale, tech-wise. I think they may be doing it because Sprint has been badly managed and they may do a better job. Also, since Softbank and Sprint may converge on LTE, it would make more sense looking forward. We'll see how all this pans out.

Why does that matter? They aren't integrating networks, they are on different contents. Metro/T-Mobile doesn't make sense because they will be integrating networks but this is far different. If they can dump cash into Sprint to catch up their LTE rollout then I'm all for it. Could you imagine even good LTE coverage with unlimited data. That would get them back in the game.

 

[Demo24]

http://www.cnbc.com/id/49408877

Looks pretty much official. Wish I had stock, or had the ability to buy a couple options tomorrow morning. :|

 

[dagamer34]

Metro and Sprint at least use the same network protocols and both both are deploying LTE. Makes more sense to me than Metro/Tmo jumping into bed together.

I don't think hybrid vigor is a factor for cell networks

Networks don't matter because MetroPCS was already planning on dumping CDMA. Having aligned spectrum holdings is far more important as MetroPCS offerings complement what T-Mobile already has. It doesn't with Sprint.

 

[ViRGE]

Well, this is going to be interesting.