Telecom Lead America: SprintEmerging & Wholesale Solutions introduced the Custom Branded Device Program through which MVNOs will better access to a large selection of completely de-branded marquee Android handsets out of Sprint and Boost Mobile device inventory at volume pricing.
MVNOs can now extend their own brand directly to end users by automatically modifying select Android devices through Mobile ID and Mobile Zone. Currently, Sprint has made three devices available for this program – LG Optimus G, LG Mach and Sprint Flash. Sprint will add several more devices to the list by the end of this month.
Strategy Analytics released a report in January which revealed that Android had captured 70 percent of the world smartphone market share by the end of 2012. Research firm comScore released its quarterly U.S. smartphone market share numbers in February, which showed that Android has a market share of 53.4 percent of the total smartphone market.
Sprint encourages the “open” mobile ecosystem through open platforms Mobile ID and Mobile Zone, which are white-labeled variations of the popular Sprint ID and Sprint Zone applications. These platforms focus on driving enhanced customer engagement and revenue growth opportunities for MVNOs by enabling Sprint’s international and wholesale customers to offer retail versions of the same services.
Mobile ID is centered on consumers’, students’ or businesses’ interests or favorite brands, including applications, widgets, ringtones and wallpapers, made accessible by a few clicks. There were more than 6 million downloads in the United States as Sprint smartphone users have begun to use of ID packs to personalize their usage according to different tastes and hobbies. MVNOs are now empowered to deliver a customized application to defined markets and customer segments.
Mobile Zone is an interactive and relevant mobile application that provides a messaging platform between end users and their MVNO to help customers with self-help services and improve MVNO-to-customer interaction. Mobile Zone allows users are able to manage their account and discover new content anywhere and at any time.
Sprint sold 2.2 million iPhones during the Christmas quarter of 2012, as compared to 1.8 million iPhones sold during the Christmas of 2011. Sprint lost share $1.32 billion last quarter, on sales totaling $9 billion. Sprint’s focus for this year seems to be on wooing Android users.
