Microsoft

Description:

Microsoft's ambitions are anything but small. The world's #1 software company provides a variety of products and services, including its Windows operating systems and Office software suite. The company has expanded into markets such as video game consoles, servers and storage software, and digital music players. With its core markets maturing, Microsoft is targeting services for growth, looking to transform its software applications into Web-based services for enterprises and consumers. Microsoft has reached settlements to end a slew of antitrust investigations and lawsuits, including agreeing to uniformly license its operating systems and allowing manufacturers to include competing software with Windows.

Sprint Nextel Corp.

Description:

Running to keep up in an ever-changing telecom race, Sprint Nextel is the result of a marriage of two leading US wireless companies. The combination of #3 carrier Sprint with #5 Nextel Communications has created a wireless giant that aspires to take on Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility (formerly Cingular). Sprint Nextel operates a nationwide digital wireless network with about 50 million subscribers. The leading local phone company in the US without a Baby Bell lineage, Sprint Nextel has spun off its local wireline operations, known as Embarq, to focus on wireless broadband services.