Todd Allcock wrote:

> I disagree. Their network hasn't become worse in the last few years, and
> their handset selection has always been lackluster. Why has that suddenly
> caused churn to increase?

It's not that their network has become worse, it's that other networks
have improved more, and consumers have become more aware of the
differences between networks as a result of independent surveys of coverage.

A few years ago, people were complaining more about Verizon's handset
selection, and praising Sprint's selection.

> It's the botched integration of theNextel merger
> that's messed them up.

Yes, a lot of their churn is Nextel accounts leaving as iDen is EOL.
Sprint apparently thought that Nextel customers would all convert to
Sprint plans, which isn't happening.

In a survey of a few years ago, the number one cause of churn was
handset problems, though in reality a lot of what a customer claims are
handset problems (dropped calls, static) are more likely coverage
problems. Second was cost, not that of a competitor, but just the cost
of service in general, with those subscribers moving to prepaid. Third
was coverage. Fourth was competitor's rates and plans, which accounted
for only 9% of churn. Last was customer service.

If Sprint would have an advertising campaign that centered around
showing customers how to force their handsets to roam, and how much more
coverage they receive as a result, that might help reduce the churn due
to coverage issues.

The "iPhone lookalike" is not going to help them much without WiFi.