It appears Sprint is pretty comfortable with its outlook for the foreseeable future. Addressing an audience at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, Sprint CFO Joe Euteneuer, had some strong words about the company’s need for new spectrum. He said while Sprint is interested in next year’s 600 MHz broadcast incentive wireless spectrum auction, he feels they don’t necessarily need to participate.
“I think if you would have asked that question two years ago, people would have said … maybe you need to do something more for low band,” Euteneuer said. “But today no one that we know has the Wi-Fi layer out there, knowing that every building out there has Wi-Fi whether you’re in your home or in your office and given the 800 now will be complete nationwide, it really gives you a pause to say ‘do you really need something?'”
Euteneuer said the rationale for his comments is that by next year, Sprint expects to already have the majority of its 800 MHz and 2.5 GHz network largely built out and is also looking at Wi-Fi to give its network more capacity. He believes Sprint’s 2×20 MHz carrier aggregation in the 2.5 GHz band is also a key part of the company’s improving LTE network.
“It’s a different experience,” Euteneuer said. “We’re finally at that point where this network, with its continued optimization, is continuing to get better and better every day. And people are experiencing it and we’re seeing it in our numbers.”
According to Euteneuer, Sprint is seeing the lowest levels ever for device returns within the 14-day return window.
He also said that the RadioShack purchase will not take long to make an impact. Sprint expects to have most of the 1,435 co-branded stores stocked and staffed by mid-June. All that needs to be changed is the exterior signs on the buildings.
The company is counting on this as a key to the future of the company, according to Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. The third-largest carrier expects the expansion to add 3,500 jobs to its workforce.
“So we’re watching and monitoring the network, but as you see all of these awards have been won,” Euteneuer said, “We think the network is in better and better shape every day as a result of the things we do and I think the 600 MHz auction is something that we’re looking at, but not necessarily something we need to do.”
