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Press Release -- February 11th, 2014
Source: Sprint Nextel
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Sprint’s All-New Network Brings Sprint Spark and HD Voice to Philadelphia and Baltimore

Super-fast speeds and unlimited data options with an affordable Sprint Framily Plan provide tremendous value to Sprint customers

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), February 11, 2014 – Sprint (NYSE:S, news, filings) today announced that customers in Philadelphia and Baltimore now have access to Sprint SparkTM, a unique combination of advanced network capabilities built for data delivering peak wireless speeds of 60Mbps today on capable devices, with the potential for speeds three times as fast by late next year.1 With today’s announcement, Sprint Spark is available in 14 markets, including some of the world’s largest cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, and is part of Sprint’s all-new 4G LTE network, which now covers more than 200 million people across the country.

In the coming weeks, Sprint’s network in Baltimore and Philadelphia will also include the availability of High-Definition (HD) Voice, a new Sprint standard for mobile phones where background noise is virtually eliminated and sound quality is dramatically enhanced.2 HD Voice is designed to provide a better experience than a landline. A typical phone without HD Voice offers four octaves of sound, but a phone with HD Voice offers seven (10 octaves is considered perfect hearing).

“Sprint’s all-new network is delivering faster data speeds, stronger in-building coverage, and improved call quality and clarity,” said Bob Azzi, Sprint chief network officer. “Customers in Baltimore and Philadelphia will be particularly pleased with the noticeable improvement in data speeds as we expand and optimize the Sprint Spark coverage area during the next several months. This, combined with an affordable unlimited data plan, enables our customers to experience mobile broadband where and when they want without the worry of expensive overage fees.”

According to a January 2014 report by RBC Capital Markets, customers noticed a significant performance improvement in Sprint Spark markets. The multimarket customer survey found a 13 percentage point improvement in customer perception of data quality, and a 17 percentage point improvement in customer perception of voice quality.

About Sprint Spark

Sprint Spark is a unique combination of network technologies, spectrum capacity and tri-band devices designed to greatly improve the performance of video and other bandwidth-intensive applications, including new generations of online gaming, virtual reality and advanced cloud services. Sprint Spark is the difference between being the first to post and the last to like. It’s stutter-free video chat on-the-go and mobile gaming that leaves lag behind.

In addition to Philadelphia and Baltimore, Sprint Spark is available in the following markets:

  • Los Angeles
  • New York
  • Chicago
  • Houston
  • Dallas
  • Austin, Texas
  • San Antonio, Texas
  • Fort Worth, Texas
  • Miami
  • Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
  • Tampa, Fla.
  • Kansas City, Mo.

Visit Sprint.com/faster for more information about Sprint Spark, including videos and other useful information on how Sprint Spark brings to life a new wave of applications and innovations.

Sprint Framily Plan

Innovation at Sprint is not limited to advances with the network. Customers with Sprint Spark-enabled devices can select the new Sprint Framily Plan – a pricing program available to new and existing customers that lets consumers decide who they consider family. The more people added to the group, up to 10 phone lines, the greater the savings for everyone on the plan.

For one line of service, new Sprint customers pay $55 per month per line for unlimited talk, text and 1GB of data while on the Sprint network (excluding taxes and surcharges). For each additional new Sprint customer who joins the Framily group, the cost per person goes down $5 a month up to a maximum monthly discount of $30 per line.

For only $20 per month per line, Sprint Framily Plan members can buy up to unlimited data, and they are eligible to get a new phone every year. Unlimited features are while on the Sprint network.

Sprint Spark Speeds on Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go

Customers of Sprint’s prepaid brands will also benefit from Sprint Spark. Virgin Mobile USA will offer its first Sprint Spark device when it launches the NETGEAR® Mingle™ Mobile Hotspot, the first tri-band device available for U.S. prepaid customers. It is expected to be available this quarter on Virgin Mobile’s competitive Broadband2Go no-contract plans, which include daily service for $5 a day. Broadband2Go also offers monthly data plans with 1.5GB for $25 or 6GB for $55.

Mingle lets customers take Wi-Fi when they’re out and about, accommodating up to 10 wireless devices simultaneously. It is a dual-mode 3G/4G LTE device, providing up to 12.5 hours active time (1,800mAh battery) and featuring secure access with password protection, plus a 1.77-inch LCD display screen.

About Sprint

Sprint (NYSE: S) offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint served more than 55 million customers at the end of the of 2013 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; 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 as the most improved company in customer satisfaction, across all 47 industries, during the last five years. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DSJI) North America in 2011, 2012 and 2013. You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

1 Sprint Spark actual deployment plans and speeds will be determined over time based on many factors, including build economics and the availability of equipment, devices and applications.

2 HD Voice capability requires call between two Sprint HD Voice enabled devices on upgraded areas of the Sprint network.

Contact(s):

Sprint
Kelly Schlageter, 703-592-8809
Kelly.A.Schlageter@sprint.com

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