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Sprint Confirms Talks With SoftBank
As Clearwire Stock Jumps 30% on Speculation
by Karl Bode Thursday 11-Oct-2012 tags: business · wireless · Sprint · wireless
Sprint has confirmed this morning's rumors that they're in talks with Japanese wireless carrier SoftBank regarding some form of acquisition. Reports this morning suggested SoftBank would be acquiring a majority stake in Sprint in a deal estimated to be worth between $12-$19 billion -- depending on the news outlet.

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"Although there can be no assurances that these discussions will result in any transaction or on what terms any transaction may occur, such a transaction could involve a change of control of Sprint," Sprint said in a statement. "Sprint does not intend to comment further unless and until an agreement is reached."

Meanwhile, Clearwire stock is up 30% today on the news, investors seeing the deal as a boon to Clearwire, given that both Clearwire and SoftBank use (or will use) TDD-LTE technology and a Sprint/SoftBank partnership could result in improved network hardware prices for Clearwire.

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swintec
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Not sure how i feel...

I know nothing about softbank but if there is significant backing maybe network vision / LTE can get completed quicker and make for a better overall company.
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hottboiinnc
ME

join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

Re: Not sure how i feel...

The better question is, if this does not happen, does Sprint have hte money to even keep NV going.

Subaru
1-3-2-4
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join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT

Softbank

So I think Softbank is a GSM provider? I have a Panasonic Softbank 830P phone here I wonder what this also means?

skeechan
Ai Otsukaholic
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Re: Softbank

It's not going to mean anything other than a source of cash to "fix" Sprint's financial situation.

It would be nice to get Softbank branding and their domain though as some sites I want to access in .jp you can only do through a mobile handset in Japan like LOVE9CUBE...you need either Softbank or AU.

Subaru
1-3-2-4
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join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT

Re: Softbank

Yeah I got this japanese phone and a DoCoMo Sony So905ics for testing awhile back but I haven't really done much because of the work to get them to work here and I never had much luck with t-mobile.

Twaddle

@sbcglobal.net

End of the line?

Wonder if this means no more unlimited data and an end of the line for Nextel/Sprint company? Sure hope not because AT&T sucks in coverage and reliability in the Bay area. Verizon will bleed you dry for anything more than 4 GB of data. Sigh
openbox9
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join:2004-01-26
japan
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Re: End of the line?

Softbank offers unlimited data, but just like Sprint, you're limited in what you can use because of the quality of the network.
xenophon

join:2007-09-17

Son sounds like a loose canon

»online.wsj.com/article/SB1000087···044.html

»seekingalpha.com/article/918241-···ce=yahoo
big_e

join:2011-03-05

Re: Son sounds like a loose canon

He should have bought lightsquared instead. Maybe threatening self immolation will sway the FCC.
DarnellP

join:2004-10-12
Las Vegas, NV
Loose cannon? Seems like more of an innovator: »www.forbes.com/sites/terokuittin···-sprint/

King P
Don't blame me. I voted for Ron Paul
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join:2004-11-17
Franklin, TN

Good for them...

Now Sprint can finally pay off that ridiculous iPhone deal.
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slckusr
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Maumee, OH
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Japanese cell phones

Seem to be pretty awesome, maybe we will see some of that innovation in the USA with the purchase. ( a little innovation there might draw more folks to sprint/softbank.)

Subaru
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Greenwich, CT

Re: Japanese cell phones

said by slckusr:

Seem to be pretty awesome, maybe we will see some of that innovation in the USA with the purchase. ( a little innovation there might draw more folks to sprint/softbank.)

Japanese phones are more about style then anything else.. they recycle them so quick each phone cycle.
openbox9
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japan
kudos:2
Subaru See Profile already mentioned it, but there's nothing special about Japanese mobile phones. And service here is expensive. If you think service in the US is expensive, try out a Japanese carrier for a while.
slckusr
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Re: Japanese cell phones

said by openbox9:

Subaru See Profile already mentioned it, but there's nothing special about Japanese mobile phones. And service here is expensive. If you think service in the US is expensive, try out a Japanese carrier for a while.

I just wondered because they use nfc, have ota tv etc... (maybe those things are easier to support in a country the size and population density of JP.

Subaru
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Greenwich, CT

Re: Japanese cell phones

My Sony phone uses NFC for train tickets and vending machines..

You know what's funny is Japan has been using QR codes for at least 5 years and NFC I think for around 4.. it took SO long for it to come here.

dib22

join:2002-01-27
Kansas City, MO

Otosan the sprint dog?

I wonder if well get Otosan commercials here?

»www.youtube.com/watch?v=mx6JvQgNVC8


»www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2GNx-oXXrw


»www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Mjkc38yA3w


»www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3Pvbbadd4s


»www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od3nBvG59iA

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