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As Promised, Sprint Begins New Round of Layoffs

Back in January, a Sprint SEC filing stated that the company would be launching "workforce reduction plan to reduce costs and better meet the changing dynamics of the marketplace." As promised that plan appears to be taking shape, with the company confirming to CNET that they're laying off 330 technical consultants, losing 150 service and repair centers across the country, and shutting down 55 of the company's worst performing retail locations. ReCode notes that 1,400 position in total will be eliminated.

The cuts are part of new owner SoftBank's plans to get Sprint in fighting shape as the company tries to expand its LTE footprint and compete with AT&T and Verizon.
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pandora
Premium Member
join:2001-06-01
Outland

pandora

Premium Member

I do not understand Sprint

I have been a Sprint customer, post paid and pre paid, and do not understand the company. They seem to go from bad decision to bad decision.

antonio010
join:2002-11-24

antonio010

Member

Re: I do not understand Sprint

It's been downhill since they laid off the trench coat guy.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: I do not understand Sprint

Is that the Noid?
ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23
Tuscaloosa, AL

ISurfTooMuch

Member

Re: I do not understand Sprint

Nah, the Noid worked for Domino's.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan

Member

It's the network that matters....

These cuts were inevitable. It's the network that matters now more than anything and supporting underperforming assets detracts from that. Sprint really underestimated how long this Network Vision process would take.

Sprint's LTE network in DC is showing initial signs of life. I don't know what's taking them so long to launch it here. The iPhone 5 launched without LTE here. The iPhone 5S launched without LTE here. Maybe the iPhone 6 will pick it up.
m3nphls
join:2012-10-02
Brooklyn, NY

m3nphls

Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

They just need to learn from the masters. Verizon build out networks like lightning fast.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan

Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

So does T-Mobile... of course, its network is smaller in footprint.
i2Fuzzy
join:2009-02-25
Garland, TX

i2Fuzzy to IPPlanMan

Member

to IPPlanMan
said by IPPlanMan:

I don't know what's taking them so long to launch it here.

Permitting and backhaul vendors. That's the issue across the nation in most of the places where they haven't upgraded yet.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan

Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

Verizon didn't have to deal with similar factors?
Happydude32
Premium Member
join:2005-07-16

Happydude32

Premium Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

In areas where Verizon is the ILEC, don't they just use themselves for their own backhaul? I'm sure that makes things a tad bit easier. And I'm sure there's more motivation for Verizon to provide backhaul to their sister company's towers then there is for Comcast, Time Warner or whoever else to provide backhaul for a cellular company they have no stake in.

And considering Sprint is completely gutting and rebuilding cell sites, Verizon adding LTE to towers is like a weekend project compared to what Sprint is doing.

LTE is great here 20-30Mb down and 10Mb up in most areas. Just wish we could get 800 Mhz sooner then later. Thank you Canada. Not. In May, I hope to be doing some traveling to some Spark markets, can't wait to see some 50-60Mb action.
nonymous (banned)
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ

nonymous (banned)

Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

Even if Verizon doesnt use their own backhaul they still have more clout than Sprint to get things done.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan

Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

They do?
nonymous (banned)
join:2003-09-08
Glendale, AZ

nonymous (banned)

Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

said by IPPlanMan:

They do?

Telcos need to be friendly to Verizon if they want Verizon to be friendly in return. Compared to Verizon Sprint is a nobody. Now there are cable companies and others who would help Sprint.
Still remeber some cable companies sold spectrum to Verizon so may prefer Verizon for future things.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan to Happydude32

Member

to Happydude32
A contract is a contract.... sister company preference shouldn't be a factor. I think this is how long this process was going to take. Sprint just wasn't being honest with us about the time required all along.... or maybe there's trouble in Sprint's ranks. Didn't the network guy just get laid off?
»www.fiercewireless.com/s ··· 14-03-06

atuarre
Here come the drums
Premium Member
join:2004-02-14
EC/SETX SWLA

1 recommendation

atuarre

Premium Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

Sprint shouldn't have taken so long to upgrade the backhaul, period. And, in some places where 4G is, I still do not believe they have upgraded the backhaul sufficiently as there are 4G areas that are moving just as slow or slower than 3G ever did.

As I said before, the Japanese will have to come in and replace the Americans to get things done.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan

Member

Re: It's the network that matters....

^Yup