Strategic Perspectives

Well, Russ, I like openness. But the quesion becomes again what is this company's identity going to be going forward? It all about POWER? Is it about SPEED? Is it about NOW? About WOW? Or some other cool new catch word/phrase?

In the end, this company has a lack of identity. So, perhaps instead of Now, or Wow, or whatever else...maybe we should just make the tag line that this company identifies with as "SprintNextel...the opened network"?

Anyhow, applications are only as good as the phone(s) they're designed to operate on. In the case of the Instinct, there really aren't that many applications from what I've heard. I don't know if it's because the phone has a lack of real appeal, or if programming for it is simply too hard. However, I do like a single platform for all phones. By that I mean a single application platform. Although I know it does, it really shouldn't matter whether one creates an application for a CDMA based phone or an iDEN one. In the end, the application itself should either be limited to the handsets it can operate on, or the application itself should be able to identify the phone and operate appropriately from there. For example, there are numerous Nextel iDEN applications that simply will not work on CDMA phones. Is this a programming issue or is it simply a lack of need/desire to have the application on CDMA?

So, if there is a way to generate universal applications (I do not assume that there is one...yet), then suffice it to say that people will generate what they need so long as the ability to create the application is free for the designer. Since there is a history of being first at something, perhaps this company should be the first to focus on a unified platform for applications? Make them as simple as possible. Maybe adopt the Google applications platform and re-design all past and present applications available on both networks to have a Google Android equivalent. That way, regardless of whether one is Nextel iDEN, Sprint CDMA, or whatever future network this company evolves into using, in the end, the common theme is Google's Android.

You need to start somewhere...and if openness is what you want, then Google's Android is about as opened as you'll get. My only desire is to see Mozilla's Firefox operate on a cell phone without having to load wap-page versions of the WWW file.

In the mean time, to sum up, openness is good. Demonstrating that you intend on being opened is better. Let's be opened.

I think "WOW" factor is a fantastic idea. I love to see something and think..." Wow, somebody is gonna make a bunch of money off of that.". I am all for Wowing the customer, or perspective customer. I think it needs to be taken into account, though, that customers are far more savvy than they once were. Years ago, getting a phone with a camera was a big deal. Getting a phone that operated on a 3G network was a big deal. Now, things like the norm, rather than the "WOW". My brother will be going to work for ClearWire starting the beginning of the year. I am ecstatic for him, but it's still not "WOW".

It's a fantastic technology, but it's not fully understood by the average consumer what you are talking about. The average, everyday consumer has no idea that ClearWire means broadband speeds at long ranges. It means streaming media at frame rates close to television broadcasts.

I think Sprint needs to step back, and look at the simple things. How can we reach "Joe the Plumber"? What can I do to make "Joe" want to run down the street, and buy this phone? How can I make "Joe" a Sprint fan? You can't just sell a phone, you have to sell an idea. It's not enough to have the technology. Verizon has "The Network", Alltel (aka Verizon) has "The Circle", At&t has "The Bars" (And the iPhone doesn't hurt to much..), Sprint has...ummm...Sprint has..."The fastest 3G network in the country....". Seriously? What does 3G actually mean to me? "I don't know", says Joe. "I guess it means it's fast." Why not demonstrate it. Find an example that everyone can relate to, and beat it into the ground. You can't see the word Verizon without getting mental image of the dork and his throng of cohorts. Dan makes some good commercials, but you don't get the "I want him on my side" feeling".

Maybe I'm overthinking this, but Sprint needs an angle. Sprint needs to be known for something specific. An idea, or a logo, or a jingle. Something that can be reproduced in many forms, but still convey the same message. Something that really strikes that chord.

And maybe getting a pretty rocking phone also. I'm not trying to be to ******* the Instinct, but it just isn't cutting it. With all the comparable devices on the market, you've got to play harder. Maybe beef it up a little and rebadge it "The Reflex"....lol.

Just some ideas

Thanks for listening

I have a question: How long will it be before the rest of the country gets "wow"-ed? I mean, I know the initial delays were due to hardware delays, but I was under the impression that such delays were a thing of the past. What is the time frame that the rest of the country is looking at as far as getting WiMAX?

BTW, kudos to both luthersnow74 and Russ for their comments. I have to agree with luthersnow. Telling me something is fast means little if anything. Sprint and Nextel both used to demonstrate how their phones made doing things either fun, useful, or fast (God forbid some combination of both)...and even included humor in those commercials. Why we aren't doing that now is beyond me. Sure, the commercials talk about being fast, useful, etc., but NONE of the current commercials SHOW ME how to do things fast, or how SprintNextel would be useful, etc.

As for the cab driver, I go back to my point. People, in general, aren't as stupid as corporate execs think that they are. People are in the know...if only because of internet access. So, what this company needs is a new coat of paint, and a fresh way to demonstrate just how great it is. And hey, if we can promote PTT as a green technology, why not do so?!? :)

@Annie: What the **** are you trying to say?

@Everybody else:  I completely agree with you.  I have been with Sprint for about 4 years now, and they are head and shoulders above every other carrier in terms of cost effectiveness and speed on their network, but they could really use that WOW factor to draw people to them.  I am really excited about the prospect of Sprint releasing an Adroid phone later this year, as my contract is up for renewal in November.  I'm hoping for the HTC Hero personally, but maybe they could even bring something better.