Kagan: Sprint is the most improved carrier in 2015

Congratulations, Sprint. In 2015 you are the most-improved network provider in quality, speed and reach in a growing number of areas from coast to coast. While there is still quite a bit of work to do, if Sprint stays on track, it could become one of the strongest wireless performers in the U.S. over the next year or two.

Wireless is a wonderful world of growth, innovation and opportunity, however all carriers have not performed the same over the last decade. AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless have continued their strong performances and places on the innovation wave to remain on top. And, a few years ago T-Mobile US finally woke up and started growing again. Now, in 2015, Sprint jumped into action as the most-improved carrier. And its performance is growing stronger on an ongoing basis.

This is a time of great upheaval and transformation for Sprint, and that will continue for some time – new ownership, a new CEO, new senior executives and an assortment of new ideas, thinking and services, which really seem to be connecting with customers.

In order for this growth wave to continue, Sprint must keep building and growing, but as long as it does, its growth and recovery wave should hopefully continue.

Wireless industry is changing

The wireless industry in the U.S. market is changing. Then again, this wireless market changes every few years. The last major shift was to the smartphone, like the iPhone, and Android-based devices roughly seven or eight years ago. Now the next major shift is occurring and transforming the entire industry.

Smartphones and apps will continue to grow and be strong, however, at this point nearly everyone who wants a smartphone, already has one. Yesterday, carriers competed with each other to attract first-time smartphone users. Going forward they will try to win business from each other. So the battle seems to be for market share.

Pricing is changing

The pricing also is changing. Traditional postpaid will be around for a long time although prepaid popularity is also growing strong. Service without long-term contracts is attractive to a growing number of customers.

We have bundles of services, which can combine all our separate devices like smartphones, tablets and computers. They can also combine everyone in the family or the office, making it easier to manage all our devices and costs.

5G is coming

It seems we have been watching the move from 3G to 4G, which let us do things like watch television on our handsets. The next move to “5G” will let users do more of this, faster and easier.

‘Internet of Things’ is here

The IoT is transforming another aspect of our lives, and we may not even understand it yet. Appliances in the kitchen will communicate with the manufacturer over the IoT and download updates and repair orders. Our cars will communicate wirelessly over the Internet, and download updates to the navigation system as well as to the engine.

Increasingly, we can surf the Web from the back seat of the car with the Wi-Fi hot spot supplied by our vehicle and so much more is being introduced every quarter. Tomorrow looks much different with innovation and invention thanks to the IoT.

The cloud

The cloud is still relatively new, but its impact is rapidly growing. The cloud is affecting both wireless and wireline operations. We used to store everything on our hard disk. Now we store everything on the cloud, making it safer and more accessible from other devices and for other people.

The cloud will continue to grow and we will be using either one cloud service or multiple cloud services. At work we will continue to use these cloud services, making our lives easier and our data easier to manage.

Two different wireless models

Looking back, all carriers like AT&T Mobility, Verizon Wireless, Sprint and T-Mobile US competed with each other. Going forward, the industry is breaking into two different parts. Think of it like a pie with slices. One slice where AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless will compete in the segment that works with wireline on an integrated offer. The other slice with Sprint and T-Mobile US competing for mostly wireless-only customers.

This does not mean that Sprint and T-Mobile US will not compete in other industries – as long as they have spectrum and the desire to grow, expanding to help other industries go wireless is a big growth opportunity.

Spectrum postion

Spectrum issues are going to be key going forward. The problem is we have limited spectrum and that may cause a stumbling block for certain carriers. I think we’ll see both AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless acquiring more spectrum through government auctions. Their growth will continue.

I don’t think we’ll see Sprint buying more spectrum at this point because it already has plenty. It is now focused on improving the speed, reach and quality of its network, which is smart.

T-Mobile US has very little spectrum. Is this a problem? It is in need of spectrum to continue to show growth. This will be interesting to follow.

Conclusion

With all this said, you can see how the wireless industry is still rapidly growing and changing; you can see that yesterday only AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless showed strong growth. Over the last few years, T-Mobile US has jumped onto the growth bandwagon, as well. Now in 2015, Sprint is rejoining the growth party.

So, congratulations Sprint. With your desire to grow, your spectrum, your improved network and your vibrancy, it looks like you are heading in the right direction.

Let’s hope Sprint continues to make the right decisions and choices going forward so it can continue to show growth making both customers, workers and investors happy. After all, we would all be better with four strong and growing networks.