Sprint names new chief technology officer

Sprint Corp. is getting help from SoftBank Corp., its Tokyo-based parent company, to oversee its wireless and technology operations.

Junichi Miyakawa, who played a key role in building SoftBank’s wireless network, on Friday was named to the new position of technical chief operating officer at Sprint. He officially starts Saturday.

Miyakawa, who was unavailable for comment Friday, will be based on Sprint’s campus in Overland Park and report directly to recently appointed chief executive officer Marcelo Claure.

The technology executive will direct Sprint’s network operations and performance and oversee its relationship with equipment vendors, Sprint’s announcement said.

Miyakawa joined SoftBank in 2003 and helped develop its wireless network, which runs on the 2.5-gigahertz spectrum. That same spectrum is a critical part of Sprint’s newest high-speed service.

“Miyakawa-san transformed the SoftBank network in Japan, and I’m confident that his expertise and leadership will help us do the same thing for Sprint customers,” Claure said.

Sprint said chief technology officer Stephen Bye and chief network officer John Saw will continue to lead their organizations but report to Miyakawa.

Miyakawa has relinquished his position as chief technology officer at SoftBank Mobile and two related SoftBank companies “so he can focus on his new role at Sprint,” said Kelly Schlageter, a Sprint spokesman. Miyakawa will remain an executive vice president and board director at those SoftBank companies.

Sprint, the nation’s third largest wireless carrier, recently announced staff cuts that included positions in its information technology, portfolio management, network and technology groups. SoftBank owns more than 80 percent of Sprint.

This story was originally published October 31, 2014 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Sprint names new chief technology officer."