Sprint Sports the Most Robust Location-Based Services Among Wireless Carriers, Pike & Fischer Report Concludes
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SILVER SPRING, MD--(Marketwire - September 5, 2007) - The use of applications that allow users to get directions, locate points of interest, and pin down the whereabouts of friends and family members will spread rapidly by early 2008, and Sprint Nextel is the carrier best equipped to meet that market demand, a new report from Pike & Fischer concludes.

The Silver Spring, Md.-based market research firm bases its forecast on the recent expansion and availability of GPS-enabled phones. In its new market intelligence report, "Location-Based Services for the Mobile Market: Analysis and Outlook," Pike & Fischer ranks the nation's five top wireless carriers on their ability to exploit the growing consumer interest in GPS-enabled services -- such as alerts to users when they are in the vicinity of a restaurant offering their favorite cuisine.

P&F gave Sprint the highest mark -- 4.5 points out of a possible 5, concluding that Sprint offers the most comprehensive and unique suite of location-based services. The report cites Sprint's introduction of applications that allow users to get voice-guided driving directions, traffic alerts and alternative routes, and even the location of gas stations with the lowest prices as some of the features that will give Sprint a competitive edge. This will be significant given Sprint's current struggle to keep customers, says Tim Deal, senior analyst at P&F's Broadband Advisory Services and author of the report.

"Sprint is well-positioned to tightly integrate its navigation offering with shopping services and thus generate revenue from both advertising sales and service fees," Deal says.

T-Mobile USA received a ranking of 1.5, the lowest among the carriers studied. T-Mobile currently lacks a clearly defined and conspicuous strategy for delivering location-based services, the report states. The two largest carriers, AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless, each received rankings of 2 based on their limited number of location-based applications compared with Sprint.

Pike & Fischer, a BNA company, offers a host of legal and business products covering the telecommunications industry. This new report, "Location-Based Services for the Mobile Market: Analysis and Outlook," is priced at $299 and can be purchased at www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com. For analyst commentary or to request a briefing, contact Tim Deal at 301-576-4096 /

For information about Pike & Fischer's Broadband Advisory Services, visit www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com or contact Jonathan Wentworth Ping at 212-576-8741 /