Sprint to Join AT&T and Verizon in Offering iPhone 5 at 'Mid-October' Launch

[vikingjunior]

Virgin Mobile is Sprint.
"... Sprint Nextel said Tuesday that it will buy Virgin Mobile USA for $5.50 per share in a stock deal valued at $483 million.

Sprint already owns 13.1 percent of the prepaid mobile operator
... "
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10297090-94.html

The deal completed that November. Wisely, Sprint uses a separate entity to market the pre-paid plans and phone to get market segmentation, but it is the same infrastructure.

That's one reason Sprint is right in that it will be a mistake to let Verizon and ATT buy a huge of the spectrum. While it looks like there are multiple carriers out there a large fraction of them are just bulk resellers. They can be toasted at any time if the majors change the terms to being unfavorable.


But yes. Sprint getting the iPhone means that the following year or two it can trickle down to Virgin Mobile and the other operators to leverage off of Sprints base network. ( likewise carriers like US Cellular which leverage off of Verizon can get it too). I imagine that Sprint it going to keep it out of Virgin Mobile line up until they make good money off the iPhone on their subscription plans. Besides without a contract "credit payment plan" (subsidy) the iPhone are a bit expensive for contract free ( for the US market conditioned consumers. )

No Sprint will have to allow any iphone on Virgin Mobile as AT&T and T mobile allow the iphone on there prepaid plans.

 

[Ugg]

No Sprint will have to allow any iphone on Virgin Mobile as AT&T and T mobile allow the iphone on there prepaid plans.

I hadn't thought of that, but you're right. I wonder if that's why VM upped their rates by $10. It could be that smartphones are simply using more data, but if they get the iPhone, then I'm sure there will be a mad rush for PrePaid plans.

 

[raysfan81]

Can't wait to hear what those Sprint sales people say about the iPhone now. Went in there a few times with my girlfriend and those slimeballs tried to tell me that multiple smart phones from Sprint were better. Their lack of intelligence is why they work there, but still. They are total idiots. I'd never switch to Sprint for anything. This is a last ditch effort for them, they lose money each quarter.

Well done sir. You are very intelligent. Some of the phones sprint has do have more features than the iPhone so for some people they would be better (ex. 4G). They are just doing their job in a retail environment. And also just because Apple makes the iPhone doesn't make it the best phone...

 

[twoodcc]

great! the more the better.

 

[chrmjenkins]

Sprint upping its ETF to $350 could actually be a sign the iPhone is coming. Apple is known to demand a high subsidy from the carriers for this phone, so this could be reflecting that coming product.

 

[Merrill817]

IPhone 5 Release

I spoke to someone at AT&T and was told that they are getting the IPhone 5 in mid-September... True? Time will tell, but if true, I'm tickled pink

 

[chrmjenkins]

I spoke to someone at AT&T and was told that they are getting the IPhone 5 in mid-September... True? Time will tell, but if true, I'm tickled pink

I doubt it. Apple usually announces a week ahead of time they are holding an event, and then never less than two weeks after that event do they release the iPhone. They'd have to announce that event today and you'd still be looking at Sept. 21st, which is debatable on being mid sept.