Sprint's Goal: Wireless Caddy

Sprint's pending merger with Nextel (NXTL) gives the combined company a broad selection of wireless services to offer business customers, including high-speed Net access with Sprint's new evolution data-only, or EVDO, technology, and instant two-way radio connections through Nextel's walkie-talkie service.

Sprint representatives say the company plans to be "service agnostic," meaning it is willing to recommend other service providers where need be.

The assessment service takes about five weeks and costs around $60,000. Sprint says it has nine customers to date, and that it expects to have 75 by year-end. It wants to close 2006 with at least 200 customers.

Observers say Sprint's efforts to help customers get mobile services under control could cut into Sprint's revenue. Experts say audits of employee cell-phone bills and calling habits will probably show a mix of personal and work-related use and extra charges when monthly minute allocations are exceeded. The net effect could cause companies to clamp down on employees' calling liberties and help lower phone service costs.

Sprint says that is a small drawback in a bigger overall picture of working with customers and their wireless planning.

Forrester telecom analyst Lisa Pierce says Sprint sees an opportunity to shift wireless calling decisions from individual employees to companies. "While this might cost them some customers initially, it would really help reduce churn over the long term. Most corporate calling plans are two-years," says Pierce.

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