Verizon Wireless CEO says company has no interest in buying Sprint

By on Mar 22, 2011 at 9:41 AM
Business March 22, 2011

Verizon Wireless CEO Daniel Mead said on Monday that the company has no interest in a merger with Sprint, a notion that had been tossed around by analysts over the weekend following news that AT&T intends to Acquire T-Mobile USA. “We’re not interested in Sprint. We don’t need them,” Mead told Reuters reporters in Florida ahead of this year’s CTIA Wireless conference. Should AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile USA from European telecommunications giant Deutsche Telekom receive regulatory approval, AT&T would become the nation’s top wireless carrier by subscriber count. Verizon Wireless currently holds the No. 1 position, which it took from AT&T back in January 2009 when the carrier completed its acquisition of top regional carrier Alltel. AT&T’s merger with T-Mobile USA stands to create a much more substantial lead where subscriber count is concerned, however, making AT&T home to over 130 million wireless subscribers compared to Verizon Wireless’ 102 million.

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  • Anonymous

    Thank Goodness. I think Hesse is doing a good job though. Sprint will make it through the darkness. They are making all the right moves (minus that Kyocera trash)

    • Anonymous

      It is only for today. He has to say this to allow the ATT-Mobile deal to go through. In a year when it is finalized, Verizon will complain about not being able to compete with the new ATT, and will merge with Sprint. Its only to stop the FCC from halting the deal. This way they both get to consolidate their industry and raise rates.

      • Johnnyboyya

        Just so you guys know the FCC will never pass a deal like that there is a law in united states that cannot allow there to be less then 3 Major big cellphone service company’s. so its impossible now since at&t is tryin to buy t-mobile

      • Yesyes

        who lied to you?

        I like sprint our business uses them, but if sprint folds how will this “law” be applicable? would it therefore not make sense that another capable wireless company absorb the failing one? at a government allowed low rate (see BOA Merril Lynch acquisition, wamu chase etc..)

        Your are just talking out your ass, other basic logic defeats your “law” based statement.

  • you know

    sprint’s not even up for sale wtf

    • Anonymous

      every publicly-traded company is ‘up for sale’

    • Anonymous

      Everything’s for sale if you have enough money.

    • I’m with dummy

      You know the stock they sell that gets re-sold in the secondary market to tools like you? What do you think that is? Stay in school, tard.

  • Anonymous

    which, translated, means “we will likely buy Sprint”; this is playing out just like the airlines…

    • Gcombs

      Maybe not Sprint but U.S Cellular or Metro PCS maybe both.

  • Monique

    Good, just concentrate on making your 4G network better vzw….less customers will be better for the 4G network in the end. LTE is already quite fast on VZW, so just build it out more, make it more available, provide better plans, and better phones. That would be the way to go.

  • Anonymous

    Thank GOD!!! I left Sprint because of their outsourced Customer dis-Service Calling Centers in countries where the reps’ don’t speak or understand English very well, like Singapore, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, I think I even spoke to someone in Guam; I would hate, as a VZW customer, to be subjected to that kind of communication torture ever again.

    • DD

      Sprint’s customer service was outsourced several year back, but now they are based here in the US. That was one of the changes that Hesse made when he took over.

      • http://twitter.com/homescrub homescrub

        Lies. I called yesterday and my call got sourced to Mexico. Explain that one genius.

      • 1adonis1

        How do you know it was Mexico? I’m just asking.

      • Brady

        I’m connected to someone in the US almost every single time I call. Then again, how often to you ACTUALLY call, so who cares? No doubt Sprint’s customer service used to suck, but it’s really improved. Wanna know what’s really important? Sprint is releasing phones just as sick as Verizon and AT&T now, yet we pay around $1,000 less a year (if you’re on a family plan with two smart phones). Consider yourself smart and stop complaining! Lol.

      • Anonymous

        Gracias! I know I aint’ makin’ it up!!!
        Why the hell would I give up my EVOOOO that I stood on line for on June 4, 2010, at 7:00AM (#8 on line 6th Ave / West 42nd St), especially for this MotoBlurry DROID X?? And, no Front Facing Camera on this thing; it’s almost like having an iPhone 4 or iPad 2 with the great 0.30 Frontal capability!

    • Anonymous

      Mind pulling up a source on VZW outsourcing their CS calls to other countries? I’ve been a customer for 7 1/2 years and have spoken only to someone residing in the US unless the calls were being rerouted to Americans stationed overseas. I also have yet to talk to anyone with a foreign accent.

      So please, source?

      • Anonymous

        Source:
        Me! I spent roughly 8 weeks trying to track down and recover a rebate that took 4 months to finally arrive because Sprint failed to process it correctly twice even though my rebate submittal form was 100% correct; the first check had the wrong address, the second check had the wrong name, the third (correct) check finally arrived November 17; it took more than 120 days (should have taken 6-8-10 weeks. More importantly, it wasn’t the time it took or the stupid $100 bucks (which is an insignificant amount) but, in the latter two months between checks #2 & #3, respectively, I had to place at least 10 calls to either Customer Service or the Rebate Center to follow-up on the status since I realized that their automated Website Rebate Status System tool was also not showing updated info, only once did I speak to an American rep’ in TX; the other 9 were in the first 3 countries mentioned above, I even spoke to reps’ in Canada and Dominican Republic.
        In the end, ultimately, it wasn’t the rebate taking four months and it definitely wasn’t the voice or data service or even the number of calls I had to place but, it was my personal experience with Sprint’s Calling Centers that led me to cancel my EVOOOO. With Verizon, I like calling Customer Service and, even if for some reason I were forced to call Customer Service twelve times in one week, I know that I would speak to a Michelle, Ann, Keisha, Daniel, Jessica, Ervin; all stateside continental U.S.

      • Anonymous

        I must apologize I misread your original posting. I thought you were saying VZW was outsourcing calls, but you said Sprint. That’s where I got confused. Please don’t mind my original post, but I do agree with you. Every time I call VZW CS they are more than helpful in handling any task I ask of them. Some times there are some confusions in relations to one rep being aware of a promotion while the next is not in the early stages, and even some strange sales tactics, but that’s the sales department. Other than that my calls to VZW are short, to the point and a joy to say the least.

      • Cliffling

        I used to have to do that stuff. Now I rarely have to ever call Sprint CS, and when I do, it is a USA rep and they have always handled anything and everything in 1 call.

        The type of service you are talking about is what they had years ago, but not now. BTW: if you paid any attention to this site you wouldn’t even buy a phone from sprint, but from Best Buy or Radio Shack so you don’t have to wait for any rebates.

        I will not say that the rebates are not still handled by other countries, as they may be, but normal CS calls are handled by US representatives, and they do a great job.

      • Anthony

        Next time you buy a phone, srsly consider looking at Radio Shack for Sprint phones. Got my EVO @ X-Mas time for $99, free shipping, PLUS a free BT head-set. Don’t think I will buy another phone from Sprint store again. I will be up for new phone in Dec. and if it isn’t in a 3rd party company, I’ll just wait till it is. Going to Sprint ….they just lather u up and bend u over.

      • Anonymous

        @Anthony & Cliffling

        I do pay attention to this site and others and, yes, I was aware of the no need to mail-in a rebate with “Third Party Authorized Retailers” like Best Buy and RS. However, wanted my EVOOOO on day 1 but, more importantly, Sprint Stores in NYC were accepting up to three phones trade-in (almost any condition) for in-store credit towards the EVO purchase; something “Authorized Retailers” were not offering. I traded in two iPhone 2G phones that I acquired on trade for something else, my EVOOOO cost $29.99 after you factor in the $100 rebate. Additionally, I was skeptical about Sprint’s Network Voice and Data service so, I wanted to simply return and cancel without a hassle if I was not completely satisfied. Furthermore, glad I bought through Sprint because, not only did the EVO cost $29.99 but, I wasn’t liable for a Best Buy or Radio Shack Early Termination Fee on top of the Spriint ETF; most people don’t know that, when you sign for service at BB or RS, you also sign a contract for service with either of the respective “Authorized Retailers” and, therefore, you are also responsible for an additional ETF should you stop your service.

    • http://twitter.com/skreekia david

      im sorry but those who leave a wireless carrier because of customer service reasons, are just plain cry babies…how many times can you possibly call CS ? once in a blue or maybe a bunch of times for a bill problem once solved done thats it. i understand reception issues or or lack of data and coverage but customer service nah, not for me at least.

  • Anonymous

    Well Verizon has no interest in buying Sprint until they try and buy Sprint.

    • Anonymous

      Verizon has no interest in buying Sprint until Sprint comes to Verizon to gauge Verizon’s interest.

      Of course Verizon would buy Sprint if the deal was right for Verizon, but they aren’t going to buy Sprint in a move of desperation just because AT&T picked up T-Mobile.

      Love Verizon or hate them the one thing you have to admit. The one area where they have been tops is in the strategy department.

      When Cingular bought the original AT&T Wireless to become the leading carrier, did Verizon panic? No they just slowly closed the subscriber gap and then purchased Alltel Wireless years later to push them over the top. They wouldn’t even be disappointed if the deal goes through. They are the first leading carrier to push LTE. They’ll have a huge head start by the time AT&T gets on that train and not to mention before the deal they were expanding the subscriber base lead. T-Mobile to Sprint was much more of a threat to AT&T spectrum-wise which is why AT&T HAD to make this deal.

      • Chasepurser

        Thats right…. Slow and steady…..

        They will purchase Sprint in 2-3 years when Sprint is in greater need. That will be really cool just for teh google voice intigration they have with sprint.

      • http://twitter.com/skreekia david

        why do u think Sprint will be in greater need in 2 to 3 years, there starting to turn things around. adding suscribers getting the best phones besides the iphone. Now with a network overhaul in the works there coverage and data will be improved. the best thing that happened to Sprint is this AT&T and Tmo deal. I mean if i were a Tmo customer i wouldnt want to Spend AT&T prices when all said and done, there going to the best bang for the buck and thats Sprint.

  • Anonymous

    thats what she say ! i mean verizon say

  • John henderson

    I never thought i’d ever say this……but once the merger is complete, i’m going to take a serious look at sprint

  • http://twitter.com/Steelers7510 Ty Carlson

    I kinda feel bad for Sprint now. I mean if this thing gets approved they are pretty much SOL. Verizon and AT&T on the other had will just get in to an even bigger marketing battle then they are already in.

  • iWantMyWP7onVZW

    Ok Mr. Mead. Any word on a WP7 device for your network? I’m getting really tired of waiting . . .

  • Jroc869

    They might not need sprint, but will they be able to pass up the deal they can get on buying sprint. Over time Sprint will fall further behind the 8-ball and be forced to sell at a price that they wont be able to dictate. T-Mo made out really well with this deal because ATT actually wanted to buy them so T-Mo had more say in the pricing .

  • http://twitter.com/jrcrow79 EK

    Lol..Sprint is jealous it didn’t get a crap load of money from Verizon..lmao!

    • Anonymous

      Not really

  • Mike

    Once the AT&T/T-Mobile deal is done in the next 12-18 months Verizon will step in & start whining (like anything that doesn’t involve them), while Sprint begins to worsen. Verizon won’t actually buyout Sprint because it’s unlikely the FCC will let that happen but they can step in & “help” them by taking the majority of stock in the company. The Sprint name may not die but Verizon will be in charge eventually, it’ll be down to big blue & big red in the end.

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