SPRINT ORDERS $20 BILLION IN iPHONES

According to information obtained by the Wall Street Journal, Sprint's betting the farm on a 30 million-plus order of next-generation iPhones to put it on an even battle ground with heavyweight rivals AT&T and Verizon. The cost of this loss-absorbing gamble? That would be about $20 billion, with the Hesse-led co. subsidizing the $500 cost of each handset. For the third place operator it's matter of do-or-die, as there really isn't an alternative to the critically-praised, Jony Ive-designed handset that set off this smartphone race. Hesse's purported admission to the company's board that customer churn is directly linked to its iPhone omission only serves to underscore the uncomfortable plight his company faces. It remains to be seen if Sprint can convert its base of 52 million subscribers (mostly pre-paid) into the contracted customers it needs to stay financially afloat.

CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION INVESTIGATING AT&T/T-MOBILE MERGER

The Public Utilities Commission in California will investigate AT&T’s planned acquisition of T-Mobile, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. The Golden state is one of three states that Sprint has asked to investigate the deal, the other two are West Virginia and Louisiana. “We believe a thorough investigation will reveal the negative implications for pricing, choice, and innovation critical to California’s economy,” Sprint’s public affairs manager, John Taylor, said. “Sprint is pleased that the commission will open up a proceeding to investigate the proposed takeover of T-Mobile by AT&T.” AT&T originally filed its informal notice with California’s Public Utilities Commission on May 3rd, and Sprint protested the filing on May 19th when it asked for a review of the merger. The regulators will consider three options, one of which is a choice to notify AT&T that its purchase is not “pre-approved” after the standard 30-day time period after an application is submitted. Sprint has opposed the acquisition from day one, and its CEO Dan Hesse said the deal would “stifle innovation” in the U.S. wireless market.

DAN HESSE SAYS ALL PHONES USING MICROUSB BY 2012

Sprint CEO Dan Hesse has just confirmed that by January 2012, all US phones will use microUSB chargers, which will theoretically make all chargers and syncing cables cross-compatible. Hesse said that even as the head of a major mobile carrier, he found the dozens of different charging and syncing cables annoying, characterizing them as a “pet peeve” of his.

Late last year, the European Union ordered cell phone companies to do something that was ostensibly very pro consumer. Annoyed by the way that every single phone manufacturer had their own proprietary charging and syncing cables, the EU ordered manufacturers to standardize their syncing and charging solutions: all phones should use microUSB to both transfer data and charge.

That would mean that if your friend has an iPhone and you have a Nokia, you should be able to charge your iPhone with his Nokia charger, and vice versa. The European Union wimped out at the last minute and agreed to allow cell phone makers to comply with the law by shipping their phones with microUSB adapters.

The system’s going to roll out exactly the same in the United States as it did in Europe. The best we can hope for is that most companies will standardize using standard microUSB… but there’s no way everyone will....Apple we are looking at you!!!!

SPRINT ANNOUNCING 'ANOTHER INDUSTRY FIRST' ON FEBRUARY 7TH

Sprint just sent out invitations to a press event that will be held early next month in New York City. It is unclear what will be announced at the event, which will take place on February 7th — just one week ahead of the annual Mobile World Congress convention in Barcelona. Sprint’s invitation states that CEO Dan Hesse will be on hand to introduce what Sprint is calling “yet another industry first.” Adding to the mystery is the fact that illusionist David Blaine will be there to “show you that the impossible is possible.”

SPRINT CEO THANKS iPAD FOR OVERDRIVE DEMAND

Sprint's CEO Dan Hesse, in an interview with GigaOm, confirmed that most iPads sold are WiFi variety.  He thinks this, along with their decision to sell an iPad case despite the fact Sprint doesn't sell the iPad, has led to an uptick in OverDrive subscriptions.  OverDrive is Sprint's 3G/4G MiFi or personal WiFi hotspot device.  The OverDrive allows users of any WiFi device to connect to the Sprint network at either 3G or 4G speeds depending on location.  Hesse didn't mention any specific numbers regarding how much OverDrive has been affected by the iPad, but it is fairly evident he is a big proponent of Apple's iPad. [Engadget]