Sprint to provide communications to U.S. bases

The Navy Exchange Service Command, or Nexcom, has selected Sprint Corp. to provide communications services to personnel at 93 Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard bases in the United States and Puerto Rico, the company announced Nov. 4.

The award expands on an existing contract for 12 naval bases Sprint serves, and brings the company's Nexcom business to as much as $25 million per year over the life of the contract. The contract period is for 10 years, with an option to renew for an additional three years.

Under the agreement, Sprint will provide communications bundles for service personnel in bachelor's quarters, transient quarters and Navy lodges, offering long-distance and local telephone services, along with broadband Internet access via DSL.

Sprint holds a similar contract with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service for U.S. based military installations.

"Offering our servicemen and women affordable, quality communications to keep in touch with family, friends and loved ones is important to the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard," said Terry McClain, director of the telecommunications program office for Nexcom. "Sprint has been a proven provider of these types of services for us and other military branches, and we believe personnel will find Sprint's packages of service appealing."

Headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., Sprint is a major provider of telecommunications services to the federal government, with 2002 revenue of $26.6 billion and 72,200 employees.