Qwest Exiting Sprint Deal, Switching to Verizon Wireless

Filed in archive Mobile by jeff goldman on February 28, 2008

More bad news for Sprint: Qwest is reportedly planning to stop reselling Sprint's wireless services to its customers, and may start offering service through Verizon Wireless instead.

"qwest currently offers a branded wireless service through an agreement with Sprint in which it buys wholesale minutes from the carrier and resells them," explain the Wall Street Journal's Dionne Searcey and Amol Sharma.

"That arrangement hasn't been profitable for Qwest, which also has been stuck with Sprint exclusivity terms that prevent it from offering its customers the latest handsets," Searcey and Sharma write. "As a result, Qwest has been trolling for a new wireless arrangement to replace the Sprint agreement, which expires next year."

"Verizon and Sprint both use the same wireless technology standard known as CDMA, which could make a possible transition easier for Qwest customers," notes TMCnet's Tim Gray.

More here from InformationWeek ... more here from Engadget ... more here from CNET News ... more here from dailywireless.org ... more here from TheStreet ... more here from FierceWireless ... and more here from Reuters.

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Tags: Qwest Verizon Sprint MVNO CDMA LTE GSM mobile wireless carrier operator phone handset handsets WSJ A

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Response from: PhoneBoy (02/29/08 1:09am)

I don't think it's a forgone conclusion that Qwest will go with Verizon Wireless. It's quite possible Sprint will negotiate a better deal to keep Qwest's business.

When I lived in Qwest's area, I couldn't see why I would go with Qwest over Sprint. The prices weren't any better. Neither were the devices. Of course, I generally wouldn't choose Sprint anyway, given my GSM bias. :)