So, what's a
flagging cellular operator to do once it has succumbed to the grim realization that no one wants to sign up for your service and you've already collected the dough from
selling off nearly all of your towers? Go wholesale, of course! Unbeknownst to most, all of the
Kindle downloads on Amazon's white-hot e-reader go through Sprint's network, and given just how successful that little venture has been, the carrier is hoping to expand its revenues from wholesaling bandwidth (which currently sits at just 3 percent of its total) by inking similar deals with connected gadget makers. From internet-connected vehicles to GPS systems to cameras, the options are darn near limitless, and with so much free capacity on Sprint's network, it might as well find companies to use it. 'Course, it's not like Sprint's the only one out there trying to carve these kinds of deals into stone, but it's definitely the one that needs to do it
most immediately.
posted Mar 24th 2009 4:57PM
i think this would be a good move for sprint if they offered cheap unlimited data service i know a lot of people that would be interested in using this
having in car high speed internet access would be a plus
Sure, the device maker will just wind up paying through the nose for anything with more-than-trivial bandwidth. There's a reason the Kindle uses a "whispernet".
Might the floodgates be opening? Why not sell wholesale bandwidth to Google who sells Android phones with a Google Voice App installed to handle calls rather than the carriers phone switches. Under this model, unlimited wireless service ought to be $35/mo and a good phone for $300-500. An Android phone with quad band able to connect to 'any' network would provide the best coverage and Google's buying power would provide the best price.
"i think this would be a good move for sprint if they offered cheap unlimited data service"
They do.
Sprint's network has never really been an issue, they just havn't had cool phones. The pre will change a lot or perceptions about sprint.
Agreed. So will the Samsung Dash, HTC Rhodium, and Blackberry Niagara.
So true. I've never had any problems with Sprint's network. Performance is always right where it should be for me (Touch Pro tethered, as well as a data card).
Yeah. I haven't found one area where I don't get reception. (Los Angeles, California)
Even though Sprint has a good network, I think T-Mobile is at an advantage here - GSM means whatever device is built will work anywhere in the world. T-Mobile already managed to get quite a few wholesale customers on board (Dash, Peek, TeleNav).
Yes. But T-Mobile's network is inferior to Sprint's.
Sure it might work elsewhere, but T-Mobile doesn't own the network elsewhere. They can't offer a world-wide contract... whoever makes the product would have to partner with someone else there anyway. So you might as well make 2 versions of the product and use the better 3G network in the US.
@ ScOObyDoo: Unless you live in Japan or Korea.
Haha, you're only a few blocks from me, come pick me up!
(I work off of Chicago and Halsted)
Chicago FTW!!
How much for a cleveland steamer?
Sprint SERO was the ticket when you could get it. $30 a month for unlimited data, texts, nights/weekends, and 500 anytime minutes. I'm fucking in, you're fucking out.
Yep. $15. Unlimited Everything. Well. Almost.
Yay! Exactly what I need, another data plan to pay! Let's focus qon adding WiFi and bluetooth to GPS's, cameras, cars, etc. And then I can just tether said devices to my iPhone or my portable WiMax router.
Why would you want to tether devices to your iPhone? It's on AT&T network. =/
Isn't amazon going to be annoyed that you revealed Sprint as their data provider? After going through all that trouble to make sure nobody knew it was Sprint.
It wasn't really that much of a secret. The general public might not know it (Actually, I'm pretty sure the general public believes telecommunications is the work of faries and pixy dust), but anyone with even a pssing interest in technology has known it for some time.
Here Sony, Sony. C'mon girl. Sony! Come to the nice free wireless honey! Sony! Come here! Now!
Wow...what did Sprint do to you to make you so bitter, Darren?
Sprint is the best. Best network. Best phones. Best customer service. It really is "The Now Network".
well for cheap i meant like 10-15 bucks a month
If Sprint prices their wholesale bandwidth the same way they do their monthly bandwidth compared to the competition... well, maybe companies will go with a GSM provider if they need that tech. Otherwise, this should work out very well for them.
+1 for Chicago.
It's funny how Sprint is doing anything it can to get more customers. I really think the Pre will help Sprint though. Its what Sprint needs now. A device that offers something that almost no other does, and that is exclusive to the Sprint network.
More devices, less CEO ads. Sprint is finally make smart decisions.
-Hayden
http://techthots.com
It's not funny.
It's great.
Somebody needs to put Verizon in it's place.
Ford Trucks Get Sprint 3G:
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Ford-Trucks-Get-Sprint-3G-101529
Looks like your prediction is coming true Darren...
I LOVE SPRINT! AMAZING NETWORK! The service is great, I hope they make a good turn around.
I think they need to spend more on advertising on TV like AT&T does during American Idol.
I hate American Idol and AT&T but, it sells.
I'm a loyal Sprint boy. And I don't want to share my beloved bandwidth with a bunch of stupid manufacturers! *stamps foot*
Bad mouthing sprint? Don't they contribute most of your ads?