Sprint Will Sit Out FCC Spectrum Auction In 2016

iPhone 6s Debut: 7 Tips For Buyers

Struggling network carrier Sprint announced that "after thorough analysis," it would not participate in the Federal Communication Commission's 600 MHz incentive auction, which is scheduled for 2016.

In a Sept. 26 statement, Sprint reasoned that its current spectrum holdings are enough to provide its customers with acceptable network coverage, and to provide the speed and reliability the market currently demands.

"Sprint's focus and overarching imperative must be on improving its network and market position in the immediate term so we can remain a powerful force in fostering competition, consumer benefits and innovation in the wireless broadband world," Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure wrote in the statement. "Sprint has the spectrum it needs to deploy its network architecture of the future."

The carrier has initiated a major effort to increase coverage and capacity by increasing the density of its network and increasing the number of cell sites using its existing spectrum.

In addition, Sprint is deploying new technologies, such as carrier aggregation, which are designed to maximize the potential of its 2.5 GHz spectrum position.

"As Sprint and other companies densify their mobile broadband networks, timely special access reform, including pricing, terms, and conditions, is more critical than ever to ensure the competition that benefits American consumers," according to the company.

The FCC plan to allow broadcasters to sell unused spectrum to mobile carriers has been delayed several times. However, the auction now seems set for next year. Sprint could lose more ground to AT&T, and Verizon Wireless could buy more spectrum. T-Mobile is also expected to bid as well.

Aside from bandwidth competition, the carrier has locked itself into battle with rival T-Mobile, which loudly proclaimed a $5 per month leasing plan for the recently revealed iPhone 6s.

For a limited time, which began on Friday, Sept. 25, Sprint will offer the iPhone 6s 16GB for $1 a month and the iPhone 6s Plus for $5 a month with the trade-in of an iPhone 6.

The offer is part of Sprint's iPhone Forever program, which allows new and upgrade-eligible Sprint customers to get the newest iPhone model as soon as it becomes available.

Higher memory configurations of the iPhone 6s are priced at $5.77 a month for the 64GB and $10.53 for the 128GB with the trade-in of an iPhone 6.

[Read some of the early reviews of the iPhone 6s.]

For the 6s Plus, higher memory configurations cost $9.77 a month for the 64GB and $14.53 for the 128GB with an iPhone 6 trade-in.

"Once again it is clear that the best place to get the new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus is Sprint," Claure wrote in a Sept. 24 statement. "New and existing customers who trade in their current iPhone 6 can now get a device for only $1 a month, making it the best way to get the iPhone -- and a yearly upgrade is included in this charge. We are certain that more people will continue to switch to Sprint because of the great service and value we offer."

T-Mobile currently has an offer of $5 a month for iPhone 6s 16GB and $9 a month for iPhone 6s Plus 16GB through the company's JUMP! On Demand program, with the trade-in of an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus.

Instead of offering heavy subsidies to offer iPhones at low up-front costs, network operators, thanks to Apple, are now offering leasing programs where owners can trade in their old models for the latest version of their smartphone of choice.

An unlocked iPhone 6s will set you back $649 for the base model, and $849 for the 128GB model. The iPhone 6s Plus starts at $749 for the 16GB version, with the flagship storage model priced at a steep $949.