Sprint signs exclusive affinity sales partnerships with iconic small business organizations – American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Association of Small Business Development Centers and United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), March 09, 2011 – Sprint today announced exclusive affinity sales partnerships with three iconic small business organizations – the American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE), the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC). Collectively the three organizations represent the interests of more than 2 million small businesses across the United States.

As part of the exclusive partnerships, Sprint will provide its products and services at a discount, which each organization can then offer as incentives to acquire new members or retain existing ones.

The organizations receive discounts on corporate-billed voice and data services and on phones and accessories. Sprint also supplies sales, promotional and customer care support to help package and sell wireless services to members.

“Affinity programs like these make a difference for our members,” said C.E. “Tee” Rowe, president and CEO, ASBDC, “Similar affinity programs have gained traction for ASBDC over the years as membership incentives. We’re pleased to add a wireless offering to that list through Sprint. Aside from being a leader in the industry, Sprint’s been a long-time supporter of ASBDC and has committed itself to our growth and success.”

Today, there are approximately 29 million small businesses across the country, according to the Small Business Administration. Last year, the SBA projected higher future growth in the small business segment than any other. The growth plays to Sprint’s strengths, according to Judy Train, vice president–Sprint Small Business and Alternate Channels.

“Small business owners repeatedly tell us they want a wireless provider with a broad portfolio, multiple channels and the tools to educate them on the best communications solutions for their business,” she said. “Just as important, small businesses are looking for an affordable service that works for them – one that’s priced right and comes customized to their needs. The products and services we’re offering the ACCE, ASBDC and USHCC achieve those goals.”

During the past several months, Sprint has sought to position itself as a leader in the small business segment, simplifying pricing options, customizing bundles of 3G and 4G services and marketing solutions that enable small businesses to cut the cord from their local phone provider or cable operator. The company has expanded distribution channels to small businesses, invested in unique marketing programs, and partnered with small business leaders – like the ACCE, ASBDC and USHCC.

(For more information, click (www.acce.org/sprintaffinity, www.sprint.com/ushcc, www.sprint.com/asbdc), call 18sprintbiz (1-877-746-8249 or ask about the affinity programs at a nearby Sprint store.

For more on Sprint’s small business products and services, click www.sprint.com/smallbusiness.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 49.9 million customers at the end of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation’s greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About the ACCE

Established in 1914, ACCE is the only national association uniquely serving the professional development needs of individuals managing chambers of commerce throughout the United States and Canada. Representing more than 7,000 chamber professionals, ACCE enhances the knowledge, leadership skills, and management effectiveness of chamber executives and their staffs through education, trend analysis, benchmarking and best practices. ACCE promotes the highest standards of professional excellence and integrity within the chamber profession.

About the ASBDC

Established 30 years ago through federal statute, the national network of small business development centers provides comprehensive counseling and training and other forms of technical assistance, such as helping small businesses obtain capital financing for business development and growth. The ASBDC, composed of a national network of more than 1,000 centers and satellite offices, is governed by national best practices in delivering small business assistance. The board of directors for ASBDC consists of executives of state SBDC networks from around the country, who work with the national office and receive input from the general membership through formal committees and general meetings, to execute its national strategic plan. The program is funded through annual congressional appropriations, which are distributed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to state SBDC networks based on population. Federal dollars to state SBDCs must be matched with other sources of funding, including state investments, non-federal grants and other private funds. Small businesses that receive in-depth SBDC assistance (five-plus hours of counseling) experience much higher rates of job growth and higher sales growth when compared with other businesses not receiving such services. The national network helped create and retain more than 120,600 jobs in 2009 as a result of its in-depth counseling to clients around the nation, a cost of roughly only $3,600 per job. The national SBDC network also helped facilitate $3 billion in financing for its small business clients. www.asbdc-us.org

ASBDC – America’s Small Business Development Centers Network – Building America’s Economy one business at a time…

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)

Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of nearly 3 million Hispanic Business Enterprises in the United States, which generate more than $400 billion annually. It serves as an advocacy organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico and a direct link between numerous corporate partners and the fastest growing demographic in the United States. The USHCC is the business voice for Hispanic-owned businesses, which are growing three times faster than the national average. To learn more, visit www.ushcc.com.