He envisions customers moving, as their phone call is carried on a wireless network, from their home to their car, and having the network transfer the call automatically without interruption to its PCS network. Also without dropping the call, customers would be able to search for nearby gas stations based on global positioning information gleaned from the phone.
He acknowledged that getting to the point where that blend of services is available will entail billions of dollars of investment, but that is the roadmap.
While Sprint is pushing mobile data services as a way to access corporate networks, LeMay says customers have to restrain their expectations about service quality. "It's not realistic to demand the same performance criteria in wireless and wired networks," he said.
He said security on such a network is also a challenge that Sprint will tackle with the help of security-expert partners. He said work is underway, but would not name the partners.
Based on surveys, Sprint has determined that it can charge top dollar for such services. "Customers will pay a premium for seamless wired and wireless services, especially if the configuration is automatic," he said.
Sprint will be pushing closely integrated services, but LeMay said he realized some customers will want to buy services from more than one provider so they are not at the mercy of a single carrier.
He tried to draw a distinction between Sprint and its competitors, notably WorldCom, that have engaged in questionable accounting and given telecom a bad name, particularly among investors. He also said the currently struggling economy will winnow out even more service providers. "The demise of competitive entrants will continue," LeMay predicted. And well-established carriers will boost their portfolios by buying up other providers. So, local phone companies will acquire long-distance capabilities, and local providers will buy up customers from competitors without having to change their phone numbers.
"You need a complement of services. You need total access solutions," LeMay said.
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