Introducing The New Sprint

[Commentary] You may hate the story that gives you the ending first, but here it is: Tokyo-based SoftBank Corp now owns a controlling stake in Sprint, America’s No. 3 wireless carrier. SoftBank also deposited $1.9 billion into Sprint’s checkbook on July 10 as part of the deal. SoftBank previously injected $3.1 billion to strengthen Sprint's finances. In return, SoftBank now owns 78 percent of Sprint. Sprint also now owns all of Clearwire, which has been Sprint’s wireless network partner. On July 9, Sprint completed the $3.9 billion purchase of the half of Clearwire it didn’t already own. The completed deal creates the world’s third-largest mobile phone operator by revenues. Softbank group now has 96 million users. SoftBank plans to invest $16 billion in capital improvements at Sprint in the next two years.