Sprint’s Business Markets Group continued to make an effort to boost the company’s quarterly performance. It met the demand for business solutions in the first quarter and continued to make an impact and momentum in the M2M market. It also made notable third-party endorsements.

Continuing to win and renew contracts, Sprint provides 4G, global IP, converged and M2M solutions to business customers. Two notable sales were announced in the quarter. VHA, a health-care purchasing network, agreed to extend a three-year, $1.2 billion contract with Sprint. Continuing to serve as VHA’s primary telecom carrier, Sprint provides wireless, wireline and data services. The company also announced that the Commonwealth of Kentucky selected Sprint to provide a full suite of relay products as the newly designated Kentucky Relay Services provider.

In the quarter, Sprint continued to expand its product portfolio to improve the productivity of business customers. HTC (News - Alert) EVO View 4G tablet is available with Sprint’s announcement. This 4G device adapts as an e-reader, media player and portable computer. Sprint also launched the Nexus S 4G which is the first pure Google 4G device. The company also announced the availability of the Motorola (News - Alert) i576s, a rugged clamshell handset targeting field workers. The Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, a Wi-Fi enabled device that connects up to eight users to laptops and other devices, is also launched by Sierra Wireless (News - Alert). On the solutions front, Sprint announced an expanded portfolio of managed security solutions for businesses that prevents outside corruption of proprietary corporate information. Sprint also announced a new mobile solutions enablement program with Motorola Solutions.

Sprint unveiled fourth-quarter launch plans for next-generation push-to-talk capabilities powered by Sprint’s broadband CDMA network. As part of the launch, Sprint will offer handsets packed with features designed for workgroups that rely on push-to-talk and establish a new push-to-talk brand called Sprint Direct Connect.

Sprint announced to expand a portfolio of partner-developed solutions in M2M market. New and existing partners bring specialized capabilities to fast-growing M2M segments that include connected transportation, SmartGrid, Utilities and health care. Sprint has certified hundreds of M2M solutions with millions of devices running on the NOW network today.

Sprint continued to win third-party endorsements. Sprint’s Relay Services Group earned two industry leading rankings – one from the Paisley Group National Relay TTY Performance Index for outstanding customer care and speed of service. Sprint’s video relay service is recognized with a best practices award from ABILITY Magazine.

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 51 million customers at the end of 1Q 2011 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States. It offers mobile data services and leads prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile (News - Alert) USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone.

In related news, Sprint announced that its CEO Dan Hesse opposed to the proposed takeover of T-Mobile by AT&T. He is testified before members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights. In his testimony, Hesse contrasted the current vibrant competitive wireless industry which benefits the American consumer against a vision of what would result from recreating a 1980s-style duopoly.

Want to learn more about M2M technologies? Then be sure to check out the M2M Evolution conference, collocated with TMC’s (News - Alert) ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. The M2M Evolution Conference is for those industry professionals interested in capitalizing on a rapidly growing segment of the telecom industry. The M2M Evolution Conference embraces the any-to-any strategy of the Internet today. Co-sponsored by TMC Partner Crossfire Media, it showcases the solutions, and examines the data strategies and technological requirements that enterprises and carriers need to capitalize on a market segment that is estimated to grow to $300 Billion in the year ahead. To register, click here.