Stratecast Partners Finds Sprint E/Solutions Beginning to Form an AIP Strategy.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2001

Stratecast Partners' research and analysis reveals Sprint is on its way to building an AIP solution within E|Solutions by investing $2 billion in new infrastructure and customer service/operations.

"The goal of Sprint's E|Solutions is to be the highest quality service provider for hosted applications accessed from any location at any time," says Diane Myers, program manager, ASP Competitive Strategies (ASPCS), Stratecast Partners. "To accomplish this objective, a significant portion of its capital expenditures will go into new data centers and increasing capacity on its tier-one backbone," continues Myers.

The critical elements for a total solution provider, such as Sprint, include the data network, Internet data centers, managed and professional services and application expertise. While Sprint E|Solutions has varying degrees of each element, to succeed, differentiation will be the key, and for Sprint that means wireless access. For anywhere, anytime applications, wireless access through Sprint PCS will be critical to E|Solutions success.

In Stratecast Partners' most recently produced report in the ASP Competitive Strategies (ASPCS) Analysis Service, Assessment of Sprint's AIP Strategy, the company provides a comprehensive strategic assessment of Sprint. Analysis of the following is included: financial standing; executive vision; partnerships; infrastructure strategy; service portfolio strategy; sustainable competitive advantages; vulnerabilities; and Stratecast Partners' conclusive summary assessment and ranking. Please reach Matt Kellogg for details on the report at [e-mail] or 530/893-1134.

In the ASPCS Analysis Service, Stratecast Partners provides strategic assessments of the largest and most well established application service providers (ASPs) and application infrastructure providers (AIPs). Sector, technology and issue level assessments are also included as is an end-user survey component. Inquiry access to the ASPCS research and analysis staff completes the program.

Stratecast Partners, a division of Frost & Sullivan, provides strategic analysis of the telecommunications industry with a focus on five key areas: emerging service providers, data communications/IP services and equipment, ASPs/AIPs, OSS and infrastructure convergence. Analysis Services have been developed addressing each of these subject areas, and strategic analysis is provided on a monthly basis. Additionally, in the Stratecast Partners Insight for Executives (SPIE) Analysis Service, Stratecast Partners provides strategic analysis of industry events on a weekly basis.