Activist investor Ralph Whitworth, who made it his mission to replace Gary Forsee last year, has stepped down from Sprint Nextel’s board, saying the company is now on the right track to turn the business around.

Ralph Whitworth

Sprint, which has been struggling to stem customer losses amid customer service and network problems, has suggested it might sell its iDEN network, which it bought for $35 billion in 2005. However, the credit market situation hasn’t helped further that option beyond the talking stage.

Whitworth was appointed to the board in February. In October of last year, he threatened a proxy battle if Sprint did not change its management. Later that month, then-CEO Gary Forsee left, soon followed by the CFO.

Dan Hesse, who took over as CEO last December, said he expects Sprint to weather the economic turmoil, citing positive free cash flow.

Sven-Christer Nilsson, a former Ericsson executive, will replace Whitworth.

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