Research Report
SPRINT - NEXTEL Description

Combining the best of two leading telecommunications companies, Sprint Nextel Business Solutions offers the wireline and wireless assets of Sprint Corporation with the popular business wireless services of Nextel Communications, which Sprint acquired in 2005. The powerhouse can now provide the walkie-talkie-style mobile phone features that have made Nextel a hit with many businesses. Sprint has long been a leader in enterprise communications services that include Internet and IP services, networking and conferencing, and data relay services. Sprint Nextel is focusing on the provision of wireless broadband services.

The combination of wireline and wireless assets and a track record of success in the enterprise communications marketplace for both former companies should make Sprint Nextel Business Solutions a difficult competitor to beat in the important business sector. Competition will be tough, however, as two telecom titans are poised to strengthen their operations in this arena: Verizon Communications is enhancing its business operations with its acquisition of MCI. Rival SBC Communications (now AT&T Inc.) has entered the arena, too, with its purchase of AT&T Corp.

Sprint Nextel Business Solutions was formerly known as Sprint Global Markets Group, a division of the Sprint FON Group.

T-Mobile

Description

On the spot for busy people on the go, T-Mobile HotSpot provides high-speed Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless Internet access in public locations such as airports, including American Airlines Admirals Clubs, as well as in businesses such as Starbucks coffeehouses, Borders books and music retail outlets, and FedEx Kinko's office and printing supply retail stores. A product of T-Mobile USA, T-Mobile HotSpot's network has more than 5,000 locations. In addition, the company's service can be utilized in thousands of locations in Europe and Asia Pacific. T-Mobile USA is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile International.

T-Mobile HotSpot, the leading commercial Wi-Fi network in the US, has continued rapid expansion since it began operations in 2002 in spite of efforts to promote noncommercial Wi-Fi networks in many municipalities and other government entities around the country