“Network Vision” by Sprint Nextel Corporation is a project designed to integrate its current 3G technology with the new, faster LTE tech into a single, seamless network across the country. The intent behind it is to increase the efficiency of capital expenditures for the company, a reduced number of cell sites that would be required, elimination of overlapping networks, lower churn rates of subscribers, reduced roaming charges and energy savings. Over seven years, this project is expected to generate $10 billion to $11 billion in savings for the company, through 2017.
Sprint Nextel Corporation is expected to have the full rollout completed by the end of next year, which would put it about six months behind market leader Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), though Verizon had about an 18-month head start on its 4G LTE rollout. AT&T Inc., the No. 2 wireless carrier in the U.S., reports that its 4G LTE network may be near completion by the end of next year.
Sprint Nextel Corporation reports that it expects to have 120 million people covered under its LTE network by the end of this calendar year and 250 million by the end of 2013. If the company can move this fast and wind up only six months behind Verizon, that just might put it in position to be a more viable competitor in the marketplace moving forward, which would be welcome longer-term news for investors in the stock, like hedge-fund manager David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital.
