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Nov. 3, 2008

Early this morning, Sprint Nextel announced that it will continue its commitment to its iDEN network.

After some speculation that Sprint might be lining up buyers for its network, it announced an extended network partnership with iDEN infrastructure provider Motorola.

Additionally, Sprint added that it would introduce Boost Unlimited on the iDEN network, offering a nationwide home calling area for one monthly fee. The carrier currently offers Boost Unlimited only on its CDMA network.

Sprint Nextel is still planning to release 8 new iDEN handsets in 2009, with 5 set to launch during the first half of the year.

Danny Bowman, president of Sprint's iDEN business unit says "exclusively on the Nextel National Network (iDEN), customers have the largest selection of military-specification-compliant, rugged devices, as well as an ecosystem of rich business solutions including GPS, inventory and fleet management, dispatch operations and workforce management."

"In addition, we have invested billions of dollars in the iDEN network over the past several years, adding thousands of cell sites to bolster capacity and coverage. As a result, our customers on the Nextel National Network enjoy the fewest number of dropped calls in the industry," added Bowman.

The FCC also gave Sprint Nextel until March 31st, 2010 to vacate 800 MHz of interleaved channels as part of a rebanding plan to eliminate interference to public-safety communications. Sprint Nextel was to have relinquished 800 MHz interleaved spectrum by July 26, 2008, but the deadline was extended several times while the FCC reviewed the No. 3 wireless carrier’s petition for regulatory relief.

“We believe the outcome is ideal for Sprint, especially given where it was earlier this year when its options narrowed after losing a court challenge to the FCC’s original rebanding rules,” said Jessica Zufolo, an analyst at Medley Global Advisors.

“Sprint fully appreciates the FCC’s decision to allow our company to gradually vacate the interleaved 800 MHz spectrum in stages based on the region-by-region progress made by public-safety licensees in retuning their systems to their new spectrum home,” said Scott Sloat, a Sprint Nextel spokesman.

He added “this phased transition will ensure that this spectrum is turned over to public safety in a timely manner while enabling Sprint to support the 800 MHz reconfiguration and continue to provide best-ever service levels to our iDEN customers.”

Earlier in May, a federal appeals court affirmed the FCC’s June 26 deadline for Sprint Nextel to move off the 800 MHz interleaved channels.

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Source: Sprint Nextel.