Marcelo Claure had some bold claims to share at the Recode conference, including that its network would be ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in every single market in the next 18 to 24 months.

Sarah Thomas, Director, Women in Comms

May 28, 2015

3 Min Read
Sprint CEO Claims Next-Gen Network Will Be #1

Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure made some bold claims about Sprint's network in the coming months at Thursday's Code conference, leaving many to wonder just what Softbank has up its sleeve for its wayward US operator.

Speaking in a interview with Recode editors, Claure -- on the job for the past eight months -- said that Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S)'s network would be ranked number one or two in every single market in the next 18 to 24 months, referring to RootMetrics 's rankings, which recently had Sprint passing third place T-Mobile US Inc. for overall network performance. (See Sprint Versus T-Mobile: Which Metrics Matter?)

Claure said that Sprint has been relentlessly focused on improving its network under his tenure, as part of Network Vision, but he hinted a new forthcoming network strategy that would propel it to the top two: "We've figured out a way how we're going to go build the network -- completely different network architecture; completely different way to build the network, and you can expect in the next 18 to 24 months... that our network will be ranked number one or number two in every single market," he said.

The CEO is likely referring to Sprint's "Next-Generation Network" strategy, which he first revealed on the carrier's fourth quarter earnings call earlier this month. He didn't reveal too many details at the time, but said that it is Sprint's long-term strategy to "truly unload the value of its spectrum" through a combination of macro sites and small cells. (See Sprint Maps Out Its Next-Generation Network and Report: Sprint to Add 9,000 New Sites for LTE.)

Sprint will be among the companies presenting at next month's Big Telecom Event in Chicago. Get yourself registered today or get left behind!

It's unclear whether Next-Generation Network is just a rebranding of Network Vision or a real pivot in strategy, but it is clear that the missive -- and perhaps Claure's confidence -- is coming from its owner SoftBank Corp. CEO Masayoshi -- along with his deep pockets -- is apparently fully on board with its densification plan, and Claure reportedly met with SoftBank leadership in Tokyo just days before the Code conference.

Sprint's obviously planning some big changes with new leadership transitioning in at SoftBank and a new CMO on board at Sprint to communicate the changes, which might also include the end of unlimited data. (See Sprint Appoints Ex-Bell Media Exec as CMO , Sprint Taps Brazilian Mobile Exec to Head Innovation and SoftBank's Son Names Arora New President.)

What's not clear is how much this ace-in-the-hole network is going to cost Sprint or if it'll be able to match, let alone supercede those of Verizon Wireless and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T). But, something's giving Claure some extra confidence, and I don't think the CEO, who has been realistic about Sprint's problems from the start, is making an empty promise. (See Sprint CEO: Price Cuts First, Best Network Next .)

— Sarah Thomas, Circle me on Google+ Follow me on TwitterVisit my LinkedIn profile, Editorial Operations Director, Light Reading

About the Author(s)

Sarah Thomas

Director, Women in Comms

Sarah Thomas's love affair with communications began in 2003 when she bought her first cellphone, a pink RAZR, which she duly "bedazzled" with the help of superglue and her dad.

She joined the editorial staff at Light Reading in 2010 and has been covering mobile technologies ever since. Sarah got her start covering telecom in 2007 at Telephony, later Connected Planet, may it rest in peace. Her non-telecom work experience includes a brief foray into public relations at Fleishman-Hillard (her cussin' upset the clients) and a hodge-podge of internships, including spells at Ingram's (Kansas City's business magazine), American Spa magazine (where she was Chief Hot-Tub Correspondent), and the tweens' quiz bible, QuizFest, in NYC.

As Editorial Operations Director, a role she took on in January 2015, Sarah is responsible for the day-to-day management of the non-news content elements on Light Reading.

Sarah received her Bachelor's in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She lives in Chicago with her 3DTV, her iPad and a drawer full of smartphone cords.

Away from the world of telecom journalism, Sarah likes to dabble in monster truck racing, becoming part of Team Bigfoot in 2009.

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