Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Moderated Thread - please read rules before posting -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: slacker711 who wrote (17053)	12/3/2001 4:33:19 PM
From: carranza2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 196559

Anyone have any idea whose infra is being used in the trial?

To: slacker711 who wrote (17053)	12/4/2001 8:55:50 AM
From: slacker711	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 196559

For those interested.....PCS's analyst meeting starts at 8am. biz.yahoo.com Sprint Announces Financial Guidance for PCS Group KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint (NYSE: FON - news, PCS - news) today announced at its annual investment community meeting held in Overland Park, Kan., fourth quarter and 2002 financial guidance for its PCS Group, which consists of the company's wireless PCS operations. (Photo: newscom.com ) ``I truly believe that the best is yet to come for the PCS Group,'' said William T. Esrey, Sprint's chairman and chief executive officer. ``Our PCS operation has been the fastest-growing wireless carrier for more than three years. We have aggressive, but we believe attainable, growth and profitability objectives in 2002. ``Data services will be an increasingly important component of the wireless industry and our network was built with data services in mind. While we are in the very early stages of building this customer base, our PCS operation already has more than two million wireless data users. We expect this growth will accelerate as we move to higher data speeds with the introduction of third-generation wireless technology in 2002.'' In its October 17th earnings release Sprint issued a business outlook for the PCS Group which included financial guidance for the fourth quarter. Based on results to-date, Sprint is reaffirming the guidance contained in that outlook. Sprint cautioned that fourth quarter wireless industry results are traditionally highly dependent on consumer buying patterns during the holiday season. As a result, Sprint's actual customer gains in the quarter and resulting financial performance may vary materially from our outlook. The following statements are based on current expectations. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially. Revenue guidance: Total full year revenues are expected to grow more than 50 percent in 2001 to approximately $9.7 to $9.8 billion. The company anticipates total revenues of approximately $13 billion in 2002, a more than 30 percent rate of growth. In the fourth quarter total revenues are expected to be $2.7 to $2.8 billion which would be more than 40 percent above the year-ago period. Revenue growth is expected to continue to be driven by strong gains in the customer base and strong average customer revenue. Monthly average revenue per customer is targeted to continue to be at the $60 plus level in 2002. EBITDA: Full year 2001 EBITDA is expected to be around $1.6 billion. This would be consistent with our forecast at the outset of the year. In 2000 EBITDA was approximately break-even. In 2002 EBITDA is targeted to be in a range of $3.0 to $3.1 billion. Growth in EBITDA in the coming year is expected to be driven by a growing customer base, strong ARPU and the benefits of a larger scale of operations. PCS Group has set a goal of achieving a 10 percent reduction in the average monthly cash cost to support a customer for 2002. In the coming year the average cost to acquire a customer is targeted to be consistent with 2001 levels. In 2002 PCS is expected to significantly expand distribution channels. Customer adds: Entering 2001, Sprint's net customer addition target was 3.8 million, but consistent with our October 17th outlook this target is now approximately 4.2 million net additions. In 2002, the company expects to acquire 3.6 million to 3.7 million net customer additions. Gross additions are anticipated to be approximately 9 million in 2002, which would represent a 12-13 percent growth rate. Churn: Churn is expected to be around 3 percent for fourth quarter 2001. For the full year of 2002, Sprint expects churn to be in the upper 2-percent range. The company believes that over the long-term churn could be sustained at a mid-2 percent level. Operating income: In 2001, Sprint expects its PCS Group to generate an operating loss of around $600 million. In 2002 Sprint expects to report substantial positive operating income and the year-over-year improvement is expected to exceed $1 billion. Capital expenditures: In 2002, capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $3.5 billion, down slightly from $3.6 billion expected this year. These investments will pay for expanded coverage, increased capacity, third generation network capabilities and new services. Cash requirements: In 2002, the PCS Group's cash requirements are expected to be $1.8 billion. Sprint plans to meet this funding requirement through the issuance of additional debt and the monetization of assets. Given the significant reduction in core capital expenditures in 2002 and substantially reduced cash requirements for ION, the FON Group is currently expected to be free cash flow breakeven in 2002. ``Sprint PCS is well-positioned to continue to deliver quality growth and profitability,'' Esrey said. ``The evidence is already there. We have high- quality customers with strong usage patterns, rapidly increasing revenues and a declining cost structure. We have ample spectrum and the largest PCS wireless network in the United States.'' About Sprint