The Kansas City Business Journal reports that Sprint is seeking volunteers for buy-out packages and giving employees, working in non-facing customer positions, until December 3 to decide if they'll take a severance package offer.

Calls and an email to Sprint were not returned by blog time, but the news isn't surprising given Sprint's not making huge strides in gaining subscribers despite a new rate plan and that spunky Instinct phone.

In fact it's losing customers. Its earnings report also showed higher churn than mid year even after a hefty investment in a pretty dynamic customer relationship effort within their stores.

I wouldn't count them out yet though.

While AT&T and Verizon are strong and are offering some jazzy new products like the iPhone, and BlackBerry Bold and Storm, Sprint's has a compelling story for users looking to trim back on mobile costs.