Sprint Name Change Ideas (With Poll)

[Arysyn]

I've been thinking of creating this thread for a while, though I decided to do so today since all the discussion about the latest WSJ article concerning Sprint's future and regarding the potential of a new company name once the company currently known as Sprint improves its reputation.

 

I'll start with my idea for it, to possibly be Ntermina, a short take on the word "interminable", which is another word for infinite and eternity. My spelling of the name Ntermina, is designed to appear as though to say, enter, then the full word's meaning. So basically, enter eternity.

[Arysyn]

As I wanted to get that last post entered here quickly, I'll make this one addressing the U.S. Cellular situation, but not just its name.

 

I realize Sprint doesn't have a good reputation, though it certainly seems a better idea for Sprint to work on fixing that reputation before considering a name change. As it will be Sprint doing that work, along with Softbank, it seems rather odd they'd want to change their name to a company's name already in use that has nothing to do with that. U.S. Cellular has done nothing in the history of Sprint that has bonded itself with Sprint.

 

This is totally unlike that of AT&T and SBC, where there is history there between the two companies, which made perfect sense for SBC to change its name to AT&T. Besides, AT&T is a nationwide organization that is known throughout the world. Essentially, SBC was moving their brand image drastically upwards by changing their name to AT&T after the acquisition.

 

Naming Sprint to U.S. Cellular does nothing for Sprint, except to give it a new name. It leaves behind alot of good in Sprint's history with a name that has no connection to that and it further separates its branding from Softbank. If Sprint is going to change its name to anything, it should be one that both Sprint and Softbank can identify with. So, creating something different, akin to Verizon, for instance, sounds most reasonable.

[Thomas L.]

In the areas US Cellular use to serve, such as Chicago, the name isn't so good. Besides, why should Sprint use a name that belongs to a regional carrier, when Sprint is a nationwide one. When SBC acquired AT&T, they chose the AT&T name because if its longstanding image and nationwide presence. US Cellular doesn't have that, nor that great of a reputation.

 

Changing the name to Softbank is a better idea. However, Sprint might also want to create a new name, which with a good new reputation behind it, could be used by Softbank as its mobile division brand name, the way Comcast uses Xfinity for their television/internet brand. If that happened, the name would need to be something without any country identification.

 

Softbank is an incredibly awful name, especially for a wireless carrier. The only reason it worked in Japan is because neither Soft nor Bank are Japanese words, so it's basically just a name without meaning for them. In my view, neither "soft" nor "bank" are positive qualities for a mobile carrier, and I would kind of balk at it as a consumer. 

[Thomas L.]

U.S. Cellular has a pretty good reputation in locations it is in now. Sprint has a bad reputation it has not been able to shake off nationwide. A name change or an image change could be in order once major cities are densified.

Softbank doesn't even sound like a wireless carrier. It honestly sounds like a bank's name. They also aren't widely known in the states. Keeping the name Sprint around as a parent company and using a new name to brand the wireless service isn't a good idea. It hasn't worked for Comcast since people still know xfinity was just a crappy way of Comcast hiding their craptastic name. We all know its crappy Comcast at the end of the day. Only difference is that most people can't ditch Comcast for another cable company because there isn't another cable company to switch to. Wireless industry has 3 other national carriers, several regional carriers, and endless amounts of MVNOs.

 

Don't be so sure about people knowing xfinity is a way to hide the Comcast name. I know plenty of people, especially non-tech people, who don't realize that. 

[Arysyn]

Softbank is an incredibly awful name, especially for a wireless carrier. The only reason it worked in Japan is because neither Soft nor Bank are Japanese words, so it's basically just a name without meaning for them. In my view, neither "soft" nor "bank" are positive qualities for a mobile carrier, and I would kind of balk at it as a consumer.

I concede to not liking the Softbank name itself, but since that is the name of the parent company in use already in Japan, I think either that ought to be the new name of the company here in the U.S., which is Sprint. Or better yet as I've said, have a brand name both companies can use for their mobile division. If Sprint manages to improve its reputation, Sprint could keep its name and be used in Japan as well.

[Kevster1321]

SPARK MOBILE anyone?

[Arysyn]

SPARK MOBILE anyone?

That might be a good idea.

[JimBob]

MasaMobile

[Trip]

Why not recycle the Virgin Mobile brand name?

 

- Trip

[P_M_G]

Until the Sprint experience improves in more major markets (LA/OC/SD as a HUGE example), a rebrand is useless.

 

You don't want a "new name, same crap" feeling.

 

 

But I do sort of like Spark Mobile.

 

 

Optimus Mobile? (referencing Optimus Prime and the TRANSFORMATION of the old Sprint)

[afazel]

Until the Sprint experience improves in more major markets (LA/OC/SD as a HUGE example), a rebrand is useless.

 

You don't want a "new name, same crap" feeling.

 

 

But I do sort of like Spark Mobile.

 

 

Optimus Mobile? (referencing Optimus Prime and the TRANSFORMATION of the old Sprint)

 

Let's combine them: Opterminoble Sparkticon.

[joshuam]

My vote would be Spark. But not until the network is better.

[Houston_Texas]

U.S. Wireless?

 

Sent from my SM-N910T

[Mr.Nuke]

Why not recycle the Virgin Mobile brand name?

 

- Trip

Two issues 1) I'm not sure what the licensing agreement is for Virgin, there could be financial implications there and 2) I don't know that the Virgin brands have a lot of value in the US.

U.S. Wireless?

 

Sent from my SM-N910T

Too close to US Cellular

I concede to not liking the Softbank name itself, but since that is the name of the parent company in use already in Japan, I think either that ought to be the new name of the company here in the U.S., which is Sprint. Or better yet as I've said, have a brand name both companies can use for their mobile division. If Sprint manages to improve its reputation, Sprint could keep its name and be used in Japan as well.

Given the separate operating nature of each company, there really isn't any synergistic benefit of having them named the same thing. Neither way makes sense. First, Softbank has no reason to change their name in Japan. None. Things are going well over there and they've built up brand equity.

 

And as others have pointed out naming a phone company "bank" in the United States or any English speaking country doesn't make sense from a branding stand point. Secondly, post 2008 banks dominate lists of the most hated companies in America.  And then as others have pointed out as well "soft" while not necessarily having a negative connotation per se, can symbolize weakness. It doesn't make sense either.

[Houston_Texas]

Last one.

 

Spark Wireless?

 

Sent from my SM-N910T

[lordsutch]

The Virgin name would tie Sprint to an external brand owner. Part of the trouble Deutsche Telekom has had getting rid of its stake in TMUS is that whoever buys it would probably have to rebrand.

 

Something based on Spark might work.

[PythonFanPA]

'Spark Wireless' sounds alright.   'Spark Mobile'....ehh, not so much.   It sounds too close to Boost Mobile in my opinion.

 

And I'm not particularly keen on either Boost or Virgin as brand names anyway.

[JossMan]

Now that nTelos is being bought by Shentel I would like to see Sprint buy Shentel and adopt the Shentel name. 

[Arysyn]

I agree on Spark sounding good.

 

I'm thinking since the Softbank name is known well in Japan, possibly there it could be called, "Spark Mobile Japan, a Softbank company". In the U.S., where I agree with Thomas and Mr. Nuke about the "bank" name, perhaps it could be called "Spark Mobile U.S." and have the Softbank name more hidden in the background.

 

I do want there to be more of a connection with Softbank, because right now, its looking pretty iffy. I've been in agreement with most of what Fraydog has been writing about it, and I think anything to tie Softbank more together with Sprint/Spark is a good thing.

[Arysyn]

BTW, Spark Wireless sounds good too.

[joshnys8913]

Leave it be as Sprint

[Galaxyguy]

Now that nTelos is being bought by Shentel I would like to see Sprint buy Shentel and adopt the Shentel name.

In case you didn't know, Shentel is short for Shenandoah Telecommunications. I think the local nature of the name sort of precludes it from being a national brand.

 

Sent from my Note 4.

[greenbastard]

Bring back Houston Cellular!

 

 

 

But on a serious note, I don't think speculation of future or potential name changes is a good idea. T-Mobile used to have a terrible perception but managed to turn it around. I'm all in for a name change just to see stuff shaken up, but to count out "Sprint" as a failed brand right now is reachig too far.

[WiWavelength]

The new name will be Splint. A new name for Americans but the same pronunciation for the Japanese.

AJ

[Josh]

As of right now, the best Idea is SPARK MOBILE - by sprint... it would be a pure marketing scheme, and some people would be completely aware of what it was, but if it was only marketed once a city was densified with B41... it might work.  Also, they could set it up so that it was a different network on the testing sites, so that all the results showed the difference.  Once it gets launched nationwide, they can start the switch of all branding.  

 

Even if they were to purchase US Cellular, IDK if it would be any different. Their name actually might sound more like a national carriers name han a regional... but the branding process should be similar, pushing the name to areas that are what they envision as their final finished product. That way everyone associates the new name with the better service & they start distancing themselves from the problems of the past.