Sprint Reports Losses Despite Improvements

Filed in archive Information About , Mobile Marketing on November 6, 2009

Sometimes it seems like Sprint must be scratching their collective head in effort to figure out what gives with the domestic wireless market. The company reported a large third-quarter loss as subscribers continued to leave for rivals AT&T and Verizon despite an improved selection of phones (such as the Blackberry Curve) and cheaper rates.

According to the release, Sprint lost $478 million in the quarter, compared to a $326 million loss in the same period of 2008.

They also lost 545,000 subscribers, including 801,000 postpaid customers (who sign an annual contract). This coming at a time when AT&T customers report the highest customer dissatisfaction in the company's history and Verizon Wireless' announcement that will double its early termination fee for smartphones from $175 to $350.

Sprint hasn't remained idle in their efforts to battle back and have initiated a customer loyalty program, nearly doubled its portfolio of high-end smartphones (including Palm's Pre), and undercut competitors on price by offering unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling.