Sprint Puts Positive Spin on Losses

New York Times, August 7, 2008 — Sprint Nextel, the troubled No. 3 wireless carrier, lost nearly a million customers in the second quarter. But the company says it lost some of them on purpose.

Meanwhile its chief rivals, AT&T and Verizon Wireless, respectively gained 1.3 million and 1.5 million new wireless customers. As customers tighten their spending during rough economic times and when nearly nine out of every 10 Americans already own a cellphone, winning customers from a competitor is the only way to grow quickly. And at that task, analysts say, Sprint is struggling.

Was Sprint's Sacking of 1,200 Customers Sound Business?†

Canning Chronic Complainers a Good Call, but Average Consumer May Get Wrong Message

Advertising Age, July 12, 2007 — Sprint Nextel's decision to "fire" some of its customers may be a good business decision — but could come back to haunt it in the long run.