Sprint Offers Comprehensive Managed Network Solutions to Help Companies Focus on Transforming Their Businesses

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), April 16, 2013 – As IT and business leaders partner to provide their companies with strategic technologies, managed network and cloud services have become more vital to success. Sprint (NYSE:S, news, filings) is meeting this need with comprehensive managed network solutions bundled with MPLS transport and customer premise equipment to help transform businesses while increasing workforce mobilization, enterprise flexibility and productivity at lowered operating costs.

“The network is the most important cloud investment a company will make and efficient management of that network is crucial to the success of business-critical applications,” said Mike Fitz, vice president of wireline, Sprint. “Businesses benefit from Sprint’s customized approach to managing customer networks, simplified pricing and a single account team that understands converged, cloud and mobility solutions.”

Specific components of Managed Network Solutions from Sprint include:

• Network solution design
• Dedicated implementation manager
• Proactive performance management
• Comprehensive break/fix for circuits and routers
• CPE monitoring and customer notification of issues
• CPE configuration, installation and testing
• Consultation and assessment
• Competitive service level agreements
• A single point of contact and bill for all services

Businesses also have 24×7 access to CPE performance data via Compass, Sprint’s no-charge, online tool for real-time WAN performance management, allowing customers to understand, optimize and trouble-shoot network performance, view implementation status, and understand overall network health.

In addition to the robust features of Compass, businesses using Managed Network Solutions can view their entire network through the cloud – with network visibility extending beyond the Sprint edge router to customers’ edge routers. This includes how Sprint is managing the network as well as interface testing, change and trouble management, and managed asset configuration views for all managed devices. Sprint also provides WAN optimization reports and key performance metrics.

For more information, visit www.sprint.com/managednetwork.

Nemertes Research examines managed network solutions further in its recent paper, “The Transformational Shift from IT to ET.”

“We have documented a paradigm shift underway in the way technology and business leaders interact. It’s the transformation from Information Technology (IT) to Enterprise Technology (ET), and not only does this shift change the way business leaders view IT, it alters the organizational structure of IT itself,” said Robin Gareiss, executive vice president and founder, Nemertes Research. “What’s telling is the success correlation between companies that have a formal engagement program and their revenue per employee. Engaging with vendor partners for the development of new technologies correlates with a more efficient, profitable organization.”

In 2012, Sprint received the Nemertes Pilothouse award for MPLS Services, beating all rivals in customer service. As the Top Provider among Market Challengers, Sprint achieved highest scores in customer service and value within the category, while remaining consistently strong in technology.

In 2011, Sprint received the Nemertes Pilothouse award as a Top Provider among Market Challengers for Managed Router Services, an award to recognize services designed to manage any portion of an enterprise-owned switch/router infrastructure. Sprint beat all rivals in the overall score, ranked highest in technology and customer service, and earned a close second in value.

Sprint’s comprehensive suite of Managed Solutions includes Managed Network, Managed IP Telephony and Managed Security. For more information on Sprint managed services, MPLS and converged solutions, visit www.sprint.com/convergence or contact your Sprint account team. To join in the latest discussions and learn more about business solutions available through wireline convergence, visit the Seamless Enterprise at www.seamlessenterprise.com.

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 55 million customers at the end of 2012 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. The American Customer Satisfaction Index rated Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 industries, during the last four years. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 3 in both its 2011 and 2012 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.