Port Out Prevention

WHAT’s NEW?

The POP Box (Port Out Prevention) is a dedicated path we’ve built for the sales channels to partner with the Retention (Account Services) team whenever Sales believes any of their iDEN or CDMA accounts may be at-risk of deactivating or porting out because of:

• Unresolved network and coverage issues
• Competitive rate plans and offers
• Equipment upgrade pricing
• Cost reductions, etc.
  

Effective Monday October 2, the POP team has incorporated the HYBRID phone as a retention solution for iDEN customers with network or coverage issues.

The earlier sales partners with the POP team , the more successful our retention effort as it gives us an opportunity to resolve the customer’s issues earlier in the dissatisfaction phase, prior to a deactivation or a port-out.

How to get requests into POP

We’ve made it very simple:

• Preferred Method: Requests to the POP team can be submitted online through our http://indirect.nextel.com/ websites. Click on the Customer Support Tools link and open the Port-Out-Prevention (POP)/Account Services request form. Online submission will provide you with an auto-generated request number allowing for easier tracking.
  
• Back-Up Method: From a blackberry or if you cannot access s.n.c or i.n.c, send an e-mail to P_O_P@sprint.com and include the customer’s account number, contact information and a description of the issue and note if you want to be contacted first.
  
• POP team reps are our most experienced retention reps and have a very good understanding of Enterprise and Government contracts.
  
• SLA for customer contact is 24-48 hrs.
  
• POP Box save rate is >90%

Upgrade Program Clarification

What is it: The “New for You” upgrade program recently underwent some program changes. Please see below for a program overview.

Program Effective: September 9th, 2006

Program Overview:

Changes for iDEN:

• iDEN customers will no longer be eligible for a $75 rebate anytime they upgrade. Instead, they will be eligible to receive $75 the first day of 13 calendar months since their last equipment discount.
• On 9/9/06, eligibility for the upgrade program will be reset for some iDEN customers based on time since their last discount of $75 or more instead of based on just their last discount of $150 or more.
• IDEN Customers will be able to receive $150 discounts earlier. They will be eligible for a $150 discount, day 1 of 23 calendar months instead of 24 months.

Changes for CDMA:

• Customers will be able to receive $150 discounts earlier. They will be eligible for a $150 discount, day 1 of 23 calendar months instead of 24 months.
• Customer's eligibility date for the new program will continue to be based on Handset Life on File. However, once a customer takes advantage of a rebate, their new eligibility date will be based on the last rebate received.
• After 09/09/06, customers rebate eligibility will not be reset when they upgrade their phone unless they receive an equipment discount at the time of upgrade. This will address the number one complaint received in Customer Service regarding the old program.
  

Summary of Changes to the New for You program:

Current Program (iDEN):
1-12 months- Up to $75
13-23 months - Up to $75
24+ - Up to $150

New Program (iDEN):
1-12 months- No rebate
13-22 months- Up to $75
23+ - Up to $150

Current Program (CDMA):
1-12 months- No rebate
13-23 months- Up to $75
24+ - Up to $150

New Program (CDMA):
1-12 months- No rebate
13-22 months- Up to $75
23+ - Up to $150

See complete program document attached.

National Handset Upgrade Progam - Pricing Sheet (10/01/2006)

3rd Party Hotline Job Aid

We are currently experiencing routing issues with the NSS hotline.
Please use the 3rd Party Hotline number (1-866-542-1248) for all IDEN and CDMA support until further notice.

Below are the three main prompts options in the 3rd Party Hotline. Each prompt will take you to more options (see attached 3rd Party Job Aid).

• Option 1: Hybrid Support. Not to be used until November 5th
• Option 2: CDMA Support
• Option 3: IDEN Support

3rd Party Hotline Job Aid

"Who to Call"

The AR Operations "Who to Call" list revised October 1st, 2006. This document is posted in INC under "Top Information Resources".

"Who to Call"

Unified Billing Platform...

WHAT’s NEW?

Sprint is launching a new bill format in support of moving toward a Unified Billing Platform. The primary goal of the Unified Billing Platform initiative is integrate the Company's systems to provide our customers with a better experience. Existing IDEN customers will begin seeing the new format on their October 2006 invoice. CDMA customers will begin to receive the new invoice once they are migrated to Ensemble during various Conversions scheduled under the UBP initiative.

When Will This Begin?

Existing IDEN customers will begin seeing the new format on their October 2006 invoice. Existing CDMA customers will be migrated to the new bill in phased Conversions. The first Conversion (C.1) is scheduled to occur Oct. 19 through Oct. 22nd and will consist of approximately 145,000 customers in the South Region. Sprint has mailed a notification to each of these customers to provide them with advanced notice of the format and to explain benefits of the new bill. These CDMA customer Conversions will continue through the end of the year 2007 at which point all customers will be receiving the new bill.

More information on the first scheduled Conversion will be made available prior to 10/19.

Highlights of the New Billing Format

• The bill has fewer pages
• Each bill is personalized
• Increased white space for better readability
• Information provided on the bill contains more detail
• Designed to work with customer online billing options
• ”WOW” factor with use of more color and the Sprint brand
  

Where Can You Find Information on the New Billing Format?

There is a web based training that has been created to educate you on the new format.

Training materials are also posted to i.n.c.

Training > Ensemble > Ensemble – Unified Billing Release 1 > New Bill Preview Training

How do I get started?

We are so glad you have taken a moment to explore Wireless Partners. To facilitate processing of your application, please complete all of the attached documents as listed below:

Confidentiality & Indemnification Agreement (click)

Wireless Partners New Dealer Information Sheet (click)

Wireless Partners AAR Agreement (click)

Credit Application (click)

W-9 Tax Form (click)

Dealer Demo Request Form (click)

When completed, deliver the entire package of information to:

Mail original to:


Wireless Partners
Attn: Patrick Walsh
Vice President National Dealer Operations
3225 Grande Vista Drive
Newbury Park, CA 91320

E-mail or Fax just the signed pages to:

Patrick@thewirelesspartners.com or
Fax copy to: 866-756-3512

Sprint Nextel announce 4G data network

Sprint Nextel announce 4G data network by ZDNet's Matthew Miller -- Sprint Nextel look to be leading the pack with their announcement of WiMax rollout beginning in 2007. Customers will be able to replace their DSL or cable modem with a wireless router in the next couple years.