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Did Sprint Pay a Fortune For iPhone?
CEO States They Won't Make Money on Deal Until 2014

Like Sprint's planned migration to LTE, it's not a particularly well-kept secret that the company will finally get the iPhone 5 this month -- or that the company plans to continue offering unlimited data plans for the device in the hopes of giving AT&T and Verizon a little more competition. Despite unlimited data and a number of ever-dwindling pro-consumer policies, Sprint hasn't quite seen the kind of subscriber growth they'd like -- and blames most of that on the lack of the iPhone. As a result, the Wall Street Journal reports that Sprint was willing to shell out an arm and a leg to make the iPhone deal happen:

quote:
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Sprint Chief Executive Dan Hesse told the board in August that Sprint would likely lose money on the deal until 2014, according to people familiar with the matter....Mr. Hesse told the board the carrier would have to agree to purchase at least 30.5 million iPhones over the next four years—a commitment of $20 billion at current rates—whether or not it could find people to buy them, according to people familiar with the matter. In order to keep the price people pay for the phone low and competitive with rivals, Sprint would be subsidizing the cost of each phone to the tune of about $500, which would take a long time to recoup even at the high monthly fees iPhone users pay.
Adding a very interesting wrinkle is a story over at the Boy Genius Report citing a source that says Sprint didn't pony up this cash just to get the iPhone alongside AT&T and Verizon -- they paid this much to get the iPhone 5 exclusively for a short while. According to the website's source, AT&T and Verizon will be offering the iPhone 4S, which will feature more modest advancements:
quote:
I have been told that Sprint will be getting the iPhone 5 — yes the real iPhone 5, not the iPhone 4S — as an exclusive. And it will be a 4G WiMAX device. AT&T and Verizon would launch the iPhone 4S and get the iPhone 5 some time in the first quarter of next year as an LTE device. Globally, the iPhone 5 might be available as a 4G HSPA+ device.
The rumor sounds plausible, given that Apple was expected to launch an LTE version of the iPhone early next year, giving AT&T and Verizon a little more time to get their LTE networks up to snuff. However, paying that much to get the iPhone 5 exclusively for what will probably amount to a relatively short window is a huge risk for a company that hasn't posted positive earnings in fifteen consecutive quarters. Sprint also this week is set to announce a costly migration to LTE wireless broadband service as the company fights to stay competitive in a market that will likely inevitably see the union of AT&T and T-Mobile.

If these rumors are true (we'll find out tomorrow), Apple made out like a bandit, and Sprint paid a ridiculous and potentially dangerous fortune for a short-lived, not-really exclusive arrangement that won't turn Sprint's fortunes around. Unless the iPhone 5 is a drastic and revolutionary improvement over the iPhone 4S, and the exclusive is longer than six to eight months, Sprint may have just made a legendary blunder that could cost Dan Hesse the company.
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Mike
Mod
join:2000-09-17
Pittsburgh, PA

Mike

Mod

we will know in...

22 hours.
jfmezei
Premium Member
join:2007-01-03
Pointe-Claire, QC

jfmezei

Premium Member

Re: we will know in...

Personally, I doubt very much that the story is true. Financially, Sprint would be far better off taking the standard iPhone and run it in CDMA only mode like Verizon. Paying a gazillion dollars for a custom iPhone with WiMax that will be of use for only about a year doesnt make sense.

Sprint is far better off competing on price and business practices (such as unlimited data) than paying bilions and billions to get a phone that gives is a short term speed advantage on a wimax network everyone knows is being replaced with LTE.

And if AT&T/Verizon get an LTE iPhone is say february, then Sprint's speed advantage will be very short lived and a huge waste of money.

if Sprint is given a speed edge against AT&T and Verizon, then the later 2 will not be happy with Apple and will demand price cuts since they are getting "slow" phones. Such better deals may end up costing Apple more revenue than it would get from Sprint.

It will be interesting to see how Apple spins HSPA+ support on the new iPhone, something that is badly needed oustide the USA, but with a keynote address that os clearly aimed at an USA audience.

Last I read, the USA represents less than 1/3 of the total iphones sold around the world.

Of course, if Apple were to announce 1700mhz support, then HSPA+ becomes usable in the USA on T-Mobile (and enables the new entrants in Canada to also sell the iPhone). And this would make for some very interesting competitie forces in the "AT&T wants to buy T-Mobile" saga.

If AT&T is to inherit T-Mobile customers, then it may be to its advantage to allow t-mobile to get the fastest Iphone in the USA with a working HSPA+ network, and later covert those to LTE as AT&T merges the 2 networks well after a merger.

Right now, AT&T can't brag about higher speeds it can't deliver, so it can't acquire customers for whom speed is important. Bettter let T-mo do that and then acquire t-mo.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler to Mike

Premium Member

to Mike
I don't know which to watch for. Do I watch Apple's page for the iPhone 5 announcement, or do I watch Sprint's stock ticker to completely tank?

Mike
Mod
join:2000-09-17
Pittsburgh, PA

Mike

Mod

Re: we will know in...

nah macrumorslive page.

Have that up in one tab and the sprint stock in the other.

DrModem
Trust Your Doctor
Premium Member
join:2006-10-19
USA

DrModem

Premium Member

Why would Apple

Put the exclusive for their brand new hypephone on the smallest major carrier?

Doesn't make much sense to me.

MrMaster
Rum Connoisseur
Premium Member
join:2000-12-16
St Thomas, VI

MrMaster

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

smallest major carrier would be t-mobile.

DrModem
Trust Your Doctor
Premium Member
join:2006-10-19
USA

DrModem

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

said by MrMaster:

smallest major carrier would be t-mobile.

Heh, not for long XD

Sammael1069
join:2011-06-20
united state

Sammael1069

Member

Re: Why would Apple

said by DrModem:

said by MrMaster:

smallest major carrier would be t-mobile.

Heh, not for long XD

dont say that

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode to DrModem

News Guy

to DrModem
Because it's not really much of an exclusive if the 4S is a decent device, and the LTE iPhone 5 would drop 6 months down the road for AT&T and Verizon anyway.

DrModem
Trust Your Doctor
Premium Member
join:2006-10-19
USA

1 recommendation

DrModem

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

Yea but Sprint can't seriously be betting the entire farm on 6 months of exclusivity for ONE phone?

If that is the case this could probably go down as one of the dumbest business moves in history lol.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Why would Apple

Yes, if true I'd have to agree with you.

Unless the 4S and 5 are just drastically different I don't see the point of risking your company on this...
xenophon
join:2007-09-17

xenophon

Member

Re: Why would Apple

This ain't not makin' no sense. Even if Sprint is getting an exclusive, which I suppose is possible, I don't see them putting up $20B for anything. Maybe Apple is getting a piece of each Sprint iPhone subscription or some condition ATT/VZW is not willing to do.
en103
join:2011-05-02

en103

Member

Re: Why would Apple

20B is more then their market cap

Market Cap: 8.17B

Oh_No
Trogglus normalus
join:2011-05-21
Chicago, IL

Oh_No to DrModem

Member

to DrModem
said by DrModem:

Yea but Sprint can't seriously be betting the entire farm on 6 months of exclusivity for ONE phone?

If that is the case this could probably go down as one of the dumbest business moves in history lol.

I think sprint messed up.
The Iphone market is already saturated with 2 year contracts.
There is nothing new about the new Iphone vs any older version, it does the exact same things.

I just do not see how they will get enough customers.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

said by Oh_No:

There is nothing new about the new Iphone vs any older version, it does the exact same things.

You clearly haven't bumped into the average iPhone owner I come across. They piss, whine, and moan about there being a newer model, pay ETFs to upgrade...all to do the same crap their last model iPhone did anyways. Honestly, I've seen a lot of people trade up from the iPhone 3GS to an iPhone 4 that have never made use of the dual cameras or change to computing power. They simply did it because it was the "it" thing and figured the newer, the better.

I expect Apple to make out of this deal like gangbusters. They'll sell a grip of iPhone 4Ses (and maybe a spread of Sprint iPhone 5s)...and then sell another grip of iPhone 5s once exclusivity is out of the picture.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

1 recommendation

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

"The average iPhone owner".. hah! You act like Android people don't do the same thing. Dude, it has nothing to do with Apple, more so, people in general.

If the people you are running into are doing these upgrades because it's the "it" thing to do, then it says a lot about the company you keep. The same story can be stated over on the flip side and that the majority of people *I* know could care less! .. and they'll upgrade when their contract is up.

And "this deal" is still a rumor.. Hesse is pretty smart, I doubt he'd make a foolish deal as is suggested, especially for a 6 month deal with this much money on the line. Something this ballsy is done on the scale of the NFL Sunday Ticket.. It didn't work well for the Palm Pre, I doubt he'd make the same mistake twice. Verizon wiped Sprint's ass with the Palm Pre+ released 6 months later.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

said by fiberguy2:

"The average iPhone owner".. hah! You act like Android people don't do the same thing. Dude, it has nothing to do with Apple, more so, people in general.

Yes and no.

Yes, it is a "dumb people trick" (especially here in LA). No in the fact that there isn't a clear established flagship android phone for the masses to feel the need to upgrade to. New android phones roll out all the time, and they're not necessarily intended to be superior to other models (ie. high end vs. introductory tier models). If there was *the* android model that everyone insisted on having, then we'd probably have the same problem.

Again, I was talking about "the average iPhone owner I come across" - this would suggest that it's my experiences here in LA. Maybe it's different elsewhere, but the iPhone seems to fall victim to "mandatory fashion accessory" status more so than any android model I can think of.
said by fiberguy2:

If the people you are running into are doing these upgrades because it's the "it" thing to do, then it says a lot about the company you keep.

Unfortunately, I didn't get voting power over who gets to stay in Los Angeles. I just have to deal with them one person at a time.
said by fiberguy2:

It didn't work well for the Palm Pre, I doubt he'd make the same mistake twice.

The Palm Pre was a new brand that went through a marketing disaster. The iPhone is an established brand that has already had all its marketing done for them. You're comparing apples (heh, pun) to oranges here.
fiberguy2
My views are my own.
Premium Member
join:2005-05-20

fiberguy2

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

Dude... WHO CARES!? It's a friggin phone.. and when someone spends this much time worrying about what someone else is doing, in this free country in which we live, it's about the same as penis envy or pure jealousy.

People that matter don't care is someone owns a particular phone, and how often they upgrade. I know people that buy new cars every 2 years.. you think they really need that? No! But they want it and can most likely afford it.

There is no "trick".. it's a moot point. There are no victims.. no one is "falling" for anything. My god! it just shows where some people's brains are.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

said by fiberguy2:

Dude... WHO CARES!? It's a friggin phone.. and when someone spends this much time worrying about what someone else is doing, in this free country in which we live, it's about the same as penis envy or pure jealousy.

I'm more fascinated with the behavior of people than the specifics of one particular decision. There clearly is some "it"-tech driving force - even if they never intend to (or will) ever use the new features. It's just intriguing to see the phenomenon where people feel they have to own the latest-and-greatest at all costs. And no, not every iPhone 4S purchase will be this way, but it will be significant force in the market.

Why do you think everyone's "worried" about things when they have a different opinion than yours? Relax.
said by fiberguy2:

There is no "trick".. it's a moot point. There are no victims.. no one is "falling" for anything. My god! it just shows where some people's brains are.

No, it's called marketing - that's the art of getting people to buy crap that they won't use and/or don't need. The real "trick" though, is when I see an entry-level smartphone user pay ETF + retail just to lay claim to the newest "it"-tech toy...when they'd get identical use & mileage out of their older model.

...and if you don't believe that marketing exists and is a concern for Apple (or any other tech toy model/manufacturer), well...I don't know what to tell you.
said by fiberguy2:

People that matter don't care is someone owns a particular phone, and how often they upgrade. I know people that buy new cars every 2 years.. you think they really need that? No! But they want it and can most likely afford it.

"People that matter"? So, every LA tech-inept-and-easily-persuaded individual should be important to me?


Excuse me while I go get this laughing out of my system.

Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium Member
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT

Subaru to Oh_No

Premium Member

to Oh_No
said by Oh_No:

said by DrModem:

Yea but Sprint can't seriously be betting the entire farm on 6 months of exclusivity for ONE phone?

If that is the case this could probably go down as one of the dumbest business moves in history lol.

I think sprint messed up.
The Iphone market is already saturated with 2 year contracts.
There is nothing new about the new Iphone vs any older version, it does the exact same things.

I just do not see how they will get enough customers.

The phone is $500 with a 2 year contract?? WTF
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9 to Karl Bode

Premium Member

to Karl Bode
The bigger question in my mind, is why include a WiMax radio when LTE is the future? This "report" seems a little far fetched IMO.
pkorx8
join:2003-06-19
San Francisco, CA

pkorx8

Member

Re: Why would Apple

As someone else mentioned, the US iphone market is not the only iphone market. Isn't the wimax deployment outside the US larger than sprints foot print?
If so, the wimax iphone5 is a worthwhile move for apple.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

said by pkorx8:

Isn't the wimax deployment outside the US larger than sprints foot print?

Wouldn't take much and I believe you're correct. I still don't believe this report, but I guess we'll see tomorrow.
xenophon
join:2007-09-17

xenophon

Member

Re: Why would Apple

Not that I'm suggesting a WiMAX iPhone is coming, but the global footprint of WiMAX is about 800M pops, almost 8x higher than Sprint/Clear...

»wimaxforum.org/resources ··· y-report

I suppose one possibility is that Sprint's Network Vision will be a multi protocol card that is both LTE and WiMAX, which will be rolled out to entire footprint, in addition to the 800 band.

I'd be shocked if any of this is happening, including a WiMAX iPhone.
Automate
join:2001-06-26
Atlanta, GA

Automate to DrModem

Member

to DrModem
Maybe because WiMax has been out longer than LTE and a chip supplier has been able to get the power usage down to an acceptable level for Apple.

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Why would Apple

Yes....
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9 to Automate

Premium Member

to Automate
Great, now if only the network was there to justify the expense of including WiMax when all of the major players are going LTE.

SpaethCo
Digital Plumber
MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

SpaethCo

MVM

Re: Why would Apple

said by openbox9:

Great, now if only the network was there to justify the expense of including WiMax when all of the major players are going LTE.

The network is there. I use a 3G/4G WiMAX "MiFi"-type device on business trips, and there are only a handful of business-destination places where WiMAX service isn't available.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

said by SpaethCo:

only a handful of business-destination places where WiMAX service isn't available.

Thank you for including your caveat.

Jon Geb
Long time member
join:2001-01-09
Howell, MI

Jon Geb to SpaethCo

Member

to SpaethCo
San Diego, Milwaukee, Detroit, Phoenix... No WiMax.

Thaler
Premium Member
join:2004-02-02
Los Angeles, CA

Thaler

Premium Member

Re: Why would Apple

And you make it sound like a lack of 4G would deter iPhone 5 customers.

•••
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

Kearnstd to DrModem

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to DrModem
said by DrModem:

Put the exclusive for their brand new hypephone on the smallest major carrier?

Doesn't make much sense to me.

same reason the NFL does not have Sunday ticket on every satellite and MSO. Dollars, and if this is true about a 6mo exclusive deal odds are Sprint gave Apple a whole shitload of Dollars.

Oh_No
Trogglus normalus
join:2011-05-21
Chicago, IL

Oh_No to DrModem

Member

to DrModem
For Money!
Also sprint is not small and sprint does have the best value for unlimited data.
I do think they made a huge mistake with spending so much in a saturated iphone market.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

kapil

Member

As I said last week...

....Verizon publicly supported Android/Samsung against Apple...I had a hunch that there was some discord between VZW and Apple. If Apple is building a WiMax iPhone but won't build a LTE one till later, I can see why VZW is ticked off.

Remember when Apple first released the iPhone...there was all sorts of talk about Apple being displeased with AT&T's restrictive policies. Maybe Apple prefers Sprint's relatively relaxed, consumer-friendly policies and unlimited plans. Of course the 20 billion dollar in guaranteed sales doesn't hurt.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: As I said last week...

said by kapil:

....Verizon publicly supported Android/Samsung against Apple...I had a hunch that there was some discord between VZW and Apple. If Apple is building a WiMax iPhone but won't build a LTE one till later, I can see why VZW is ticked off.

My guess is that it had more to do with Android devices being in the hands of more VZW consumers than the iPhone. By the numbers, Android has more market share than iOS and VZW wants to ensure nothing happens to its bottom line.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Sprint is getting raped on this deal by Apple ...

... though you can't blame Apple because Sprint is doing this deal willingly. IF(and that is a big IF until we know if Sprint is getting some exclusive iPhone5 deal) the terms are really as described by WSJ & BGR, then Sprint is betting their company on this deal. And it is a bet I think they will lose. If Sprint doesn't pick up a boatload of new postpaid customers, their CEO just signed up for a quick exit.

•••

PToN
Premium Member
join:2001-10-04
Houston, TX

PToN

Premium Member

Looks like another chapter13 is coming up...

Idiots...

I dont know anyone that would change carriers for a phone, then, there are the apple fan boys.

I think it's a stupid move from sprint. That's a lot of money on the plate..

••••••••
puck0114
join:2005-12-24
Portland, OR

puck0114

Member

What the heck is Hesse doing?

IF this is true (and that's a big IF), Dan Hesse is going to be in for a rude awakening.

And for the record, Sprint's 4G isn't a whole heckuva lot faster than AT&T's 3G and its coverage is even spottier.

•••••
ConstantineM
join:2011-09-02
San Jose, CA

ConstantineM

Member

Sprint is going LTE

Obviously, now that Sprint has decided to go LTE, they will be getting an exclusive WiMAX device instead! (-:
Montezuma
join:2009-11-15

Montezuma

Member

The Alleged Sprint Deal Makes No Sense

Look, this supposed report from BGR makes no sense. Why would Apple invest in producing a better phone for a much smaller carrier, and place in a technology(WiMax) that even Sprint is ditching? Verizon probably, at this point, has more LTE coverage than Sprint's WiMax has.

Beyond that, Sprint is become just as anti-consumer. In actuality, outside of "unlimited data", Sprint has some pretty horrible plans. So, to call Sprint the better option is ridiculous. Of course, this does not mean that AT&T and/or Verizon are any better, save for cellular coverage(well, for Verizon, anyways).

I would believe that Sprint would be stupid enough to front money, just so that they can offer the upcoming iPhone. If it helps them secure more customers, then the bet will pay off. If it doesn't, then Sprint will either fold, or go into bankruptcy for so long that it will never recover.

Even with Sprint getting the iPhone, that does not improve its extremely spotty coverage. If Sprint, like AT&T and Verizon, doesn't start rolling out improvements on its network(more so for Sprint, but true for all carriers), then Sprint will no longer have the capital to exist. Given the issues with Sprint continuing the iDen lifeline, which is actually giving them more income, considering the type of customers that use the service, and the bleak future of WiMax, Sprint cannot afford another bad bet.

The iPhone has really helped AT&T. It has given a small measure of assistance to Verizon, too, though not nearly has much as it did to AT&T. At this point, Sprint will get such little assistance, save for a miracle, that I could see Sprint getting into deep financial despair(if Sprint really did front money to get the iPhone).

Really, Sprint shouldn't have had to front any money. If Sprint is getting the iPhone on its network, that would mean that Apple is going to be raking in more money. Why a carrier would need to front money to make money for a company either shows how desperate Sprint is, or just how bad Sprint's situation is.

Elite
Kiss My Ass
join:2002-10-03
New Haven, CT

Elite

Member

Hope not

I sure as hell hope this doesn't happen. I hope there's no 4S and we see a 5 on at least AT&T and Verizon in a couple weeks.

Rev Fletch
@sbcglobal.net

Rev Fletch

Anon

Think of it this way..

if I may add my two cents. This MAY be improbable but NOT impossible. Despite Sprint's current standings we MUST realize that Sprint has long since been a pioneering entity. Many advances that we enjoy today would not be so common if Sprint didn't take the risks paving the way for the other players in the game to come behind and "perfect" the art. Sprint was the first National digital carrier, the first to offer a very small clamshell phone, the first to do push to talk, the first to use the PCS spectrum. Sprint was the first to offer unlimited data, first to venture in to prepaid service (way back in the 90's with Sprint APO), first to bring a "giant screen" phone to the masses, first for what America calls 4G, first dual screen phone, the list I'm sure goes on and on... I said that to say this. Despite what Sprint's numbers show, there is a reason why reputable companies turn to it time and time again to be 1st. It could be as cordial as a respect for a company willing to take risks or as sinister as "hey we'll try it on Sprint and if it works we'll polish it up and put it on one of the big boys down the road, if not, no love lost. So in summation, iPhone 5 using ANY American 4G-esque technology would be a great fit for a Sprint first...after all, the rumor years ago was that Apple approached them to Launch the iPhone, but nobody thought it'd be a hit...kiss and make up time maybe?

Just a thought.

cousintim
join:2004-10-10
Dallas, TX

cousintim

Member

Pure BS.

Not gonna happen.

jarablue
Always be true to yourself
join:2001-06-11
Worcester, MA

jarablue

Member

Re: Pure BS.

I don't think it's BS. It's true.
jfmezei
Premium Member
join:2007-01-03
Pointe-Claire, QC

jfmezei

Premium Member

Wimax + CDMA is likely unique in the world

Producing a phone that has WiMax and CDMA is probably something unique to Sprint. I doubt there is much of a market for such a phone oustide of Sprint in the USA.

It is possible that Sprint asked Apple how much it would cost, and Apple responded with that $20 billion number. Doubtful that Sprint would have accepted the offer.

Reports say that Apple has found a chip that can do both GSM and CDMA. (aka: serve the world with GSM, serve Verizon and Sprint with CDMA). IF that chip is capable of doing WiMax, the perhaps it might be possible and maybe Sprint will get special firmware to enable wimax service.

But if it needs an additional chip, there probably won't be the physical room on the phone to add it.

dumpling284
@spcsdns.net

dumpling284

Anon

Sprint has a history of betting on the wrong device

A few years ago the palm pre was supposed to bring them around... now a watered-down apple exclusive. I like sprint, I feel for them... but they won't even have SJ making this announcement. They just can't catch a break.
SxualChkL8
join:2008-09-01
Phoenix, AZ

SxualChkL8

Member

It doesn't say $20B upfront

If the rumor is true, Sprint will have to purchase 30.5 million Iphones over 4 years time. That is still a bit far fetched, but it is not all up front, and it is not just for the Iphone 5.

The WIMAX part doesn't make any sense, unless it is a dual WIMAX/LTE device that will run on Sprints future LTE later.

The details are in the fine print we haven't seen, but I'm sure it'll all get sorted out here very soon.
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

following a trend and repeating history

sprint's always been a following trend and not leading one..
unlimited wireless voice & data didn't begin with sprint, they just have enough market share to force the larger carriers to respond at first competitively, and afterwards anti-competitively so it's always a mixed bag of end results. ideas that start out good and then turn things sour over time-- from one CEO and merger to the next... not much changes for the better long term

the obvious unanticipated consequence is the rise in popularity of NO-CONTRACT PREPAID service. I have two cell phones.. one from tracfone, and a sprint mvno and I don't need data from them excep to send/recieve the occasional text message.. these are the best deals to be had. If you want data & apps, buy a tablet w/ wifi until the carriers get their deployment & capacity redundant enough to not overcharge under the guise of building the network. usually it's the other way around.. build the network to get the customers.. not lock the customers in post paid and then gouge them to build the network... smart phones of all kinds are seeing a hike in prices for service particularly because they consume lots of data capacity on the network-- so at this moment in time it's not worth being a consumer of data (internet) from the wireless carriers.

compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN

compuguybna

Member

NO Iphone 5?

It was just posted online there is no IPHONE 5 . . .

If that's so, what is sprint getting ? ?

*************************************************

You can't blame Apple (AAPL) fans for being a little bit disappointed Tuesday.

Everyone expected the company to announce a new iPhone 5. It was practically a given. But, as the stock's afternoon price drop might indicate, that was not the case.

Instead, Apple announced a souped-up iPhone 4S.
compuguybna

3 edits

compuguybna

Member

NO Iphone 5?

NO IPHONE5 for anyone. Not even Sprint!!!!

Iphone4S for everyone (including SPRINT), excluding T-Mobile (whimper).

Carl, looks like your inside information was WRONG!

Jimbo
@cox.net

Jimbo

Anon

Re: NO Iphone 5?

That wasn't surprising. It wouldn't make sense for Sprint to front that kind of money for a 6 month exclusive (tops), nor would it have made sense for Apple to waste money making a WiMax phone when even Sprint is dumping it.