Sprint Corp. is a global communications company providing local, long distance, and wireless services. The company is the third-largest long-distance provider and the fourth-largest nationwide wireless network provider in the U.S. The rating on Sprint reflects its increased business risk profile, especially that of the wireless sector, due to: Increased competition from other nationwide service providers, The effect on the quality of the subscriber base of a substantial portion of sub-prime customers, and The technology risk related to the deployment of 1XRTT for higher-speed data and the uncertainty of the demand for such services. In addition, Standard&Poor's perceives a longer-term risk from the significantly weaker Sprint PCS affiliates whose networks cover about 20% of Sprint PCS's total population
