CTIA Wireless 2008
Sprint Announces the Launch of Its First Two QChat Models, the Sanyo Pro 200 and Pro 700
| Apr 3, 2008 | Mobile Devices
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Analyst: Meredith Eitt
Current Perspective: Positive
Vendor Importance: High
Market Impact: Moderate |
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Event Summary
April 1, 208 -- Sprint announced the upcoming launch of two new Nextel Direct Connect devices: the Sanyo Pro-200 and the Sanyo Pro-700. These new Nextel Direct Connect devices will expand the reach of the industry-leading Nextel Direct Connect push-to-talk (PTT) service and incorporate the speed of Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint's largest voice calling area. These new devices are expected to be available for purchase through the Sprint direct sales force in limited markets later this month for $49 and $79, respectively.
Analytical Summary
• Current Perspective: Positive on the impending launch of the Sanyo Pro 200 and Pro 700, because they are Sprint’s first two handsets to support the new QChat CDMA PTT feature and take advantage of Sprint’s highly anticipated Rev. A deployment. Customers interested in PTT will no longer be limited to Sprint’s bulky iDEN and PowerSource models.
• Vendor Importance: High to Sprint, as its PTT network is vital to its business; the new Sanyo QChat phones will broaden the spectrum of Sprint’s industry-leading service by giving customers a faster, more efficient alternative to the carrier’s iDEN network that is still interoperable within both the QChat and iDEN service. The Sanyo Pros will lead the way for more new QChat models to be launched that take advantage of Sprint’s Vision and Power Vision features, meaning higher ARPU rates for the struggling carrier.
• Market Impact: Moderate on the wireless services market, because Sprint’s PTT network is the strongest on the market and Sanyo’s new CDMA QChat phones give potential customers even more reason to choose Sprint over its competitors’ weaker PTT networks. Customers turned away from the carrier by the bulky look and expensive price points of the classic iDEN phone now have new more attractive models from which to choose that do not compromise on service.
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