http://www.bgr.com/2011/12/14/clearwire-raises-another-734-million-in-funding-from-sprint-and-public-offering/

I am all for job creation and hanging in there giving a struggling company every chance it needs to succeed.  However, at some point the question “What is your plan to succeed?” has to be answered with a real answer

I am not talking about the kind of nonsensical plan a strategist will articulate to Wall Street analysts who are looking for a good story to tell.  I am talking about a strategy with a real executable tactical plan with milestones.

Clearwire just announced it has been able to secure $734 M in funding.  The company’s plan is to build a nationwide wholesale wireless network.  Sound familiar?  It sure does to me.  Wholesale is a good way to generate revenue early in a carrier’s life.  However, the wholesale model cannot be profitably be sustained for the long term.

The carrier’s plan is to build the first big nationwide TDD-LTE 4G network.  So what?! Who are they gping to sell to but the very same carriers that will do everything in their power to build out theor own networks.  Over time, carriers like AT&T Mobility and Verizon Wireless will move away from Clearwire as a provider.

Sprint is already building out its own network.  Sprint is relying on Clearwire in some markets for network but that will not last.  Sprint will eventually have to make a decision; either it buys out Clearwire or walks away from Clearwire.

My suggestion to Sprint is think about technology roadmap, regulatory plan, business plan, and financial model alignment.  In order for a successful turnaround of Sprint to stick, Sprint needs to ensure all of its pieces are moving in synch with each other.