Sprint Nextel Corporation Joins Ceres Network of Companies

Commitment to the environment and continued partnership with sustainability leader Ceres garners Sprint membership into company network

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 12, 2011 – Ceres, a national coalition of public interest groups that help companies address sustainability challenges, has approved Sprint Nextel as a member in the Ceres Network. Companies that join Ceres commit to continual improvement of their sustainability disclosure and performance by engaging with investors, environmental groups and other stakeholders. Only 80 companies have achieved such a membership in the Ceres Network, and Sprint will be the first telecommunications company to join the network.

Sprint plans to work with Ceres to further develop its strategy and stakeholder engagement related to Sprint’s sustainability performance.

“Ceres looks forward to working with Sprint to help improve its sustainability performance and address key environmental matters, such as energy use and e-waste,” said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres. “Technology companies drive innovation and can help solve many of the world’s most difficult sustainability challenges.”

Since 2001, Sprint has led the telecommunications industry in reuse and recycling of wireless devices through its take-back programs. To date, Sprint has kept more than 24 million wireless devices out of landfills and raised more than $10 million for charity through these programs. Sprint has also established corporate sustainability goals in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint, use renewable energy, create less waste, and develop more innovative products with the environment in mind.

Last Sunday, Sprint launched its fourth eco-friendly device, Samsung Replenish, an Android smartphone. The phone’s casing is composed of 34 percent post-consumer recycled plastics, and 82 percent of the phone is made from recyclable materials. The phone is also enabled with Sprint ID, which allows customers to choose a Green ID pack. The Green ID pack then allows customers to personalize their phone with a series of “green” apps, giving them quick access to environmental news, recycling drop-off points, discounts on green products and more.

In 2010, the company revised its corporate responsibility governance structure, with CEO Dan Hesse chairing its Executive Steering Committee, an indication of the company’s high-level commitment to sustainability.

“We are proud that Sprint has been recognized as a leader in the way we have chosen to innovate, manage and disclose our performance related to sustainability,” said Ralph Reid, Sprint vice president-Corporate Social Responsibility. “Our intent is to be a leader in driving sustainability practices, and we recognize that this is an ongoing journey.”

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 51 million customers at the end of 1Q 2011 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 Ceres

Ceres leads a network of investors, environmental groups and other public interest organizations that works with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change. Ceres also directs the Investor Network on Climate Risk, a network of 95 institutional investors with more than $9 trillion of collective assets focused on the business impacts of climate change.