Qwest looking at dumping Sprint; Verizon a possibility
Qwest runs its regional wireless carrier as a Sprint MVNO -- a venture that has apparently turned out to be an unprofitable one, not just because of the pricing Qwest receives on its minutes, but also because Sprint's exclusivity clauses have left the little guys feeling like they're offering an also-ran lineup (Fusion notwithstanding, we guess, since Qwest launched it eons before Verizon and Sprint still hasn't come to bat on that one). That has left Qwest looking to partner with someone else once its current contract with Sprint expires next year, and Verizon chief Ivan Seidenberg has spilled the beans that it has been in touch regarding a possible deal. Theoretically, a Verizon deal could make it easy for existing Qwest subscribers to stick with their existing handsets since they'd be switching from one set of CDMA airwaves to another, so it makes sense -- but really, with MVNOs dropping left and right and the current venture sucking money into thin air, why would it be in the black a few years from now?[Via Phone Scoop]
Filed under: Sprint, Verizon Wireless
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gib @ Feb 27th 2008 7:22PM
With the horror stories i have heard of qwest billing, i can't imagine anyone staying with them. If i were Verizon, i would try to kill them off as quick as possible and comandeer their customer base.
Joseph Singer @ Feb 27th 2008 7:33PM
Qwest has been mis-managed for years and don't know to keep something when it's doing something for them. Qwest which was USWest was one of the original cellular license holders and sold their wireless plant to Airtouch which then got combined with BA and GTE to become VeriZon. Later US West decided that they wanted back into the wireless business and built a PCS CDMA network in all the states that they had holdings. Qwest mis-managed the company that they bought US West and that flim-flam man Joe Naccio sent the company straight down the terlet. It's no surprise why Qwest hasn't been absorbed by either VeriZon or AT&T. There's nothing all that attractive about the company especially since it's the only ILEC without a wireless unit.
Michael S @ Mar 9th 2008 1:32AM
I would find it hard to believe that Verizon would give them an even bigger break on their bulk minute purchases. I see Verizon looking out for their own interests rather than making sure a competitor can be profitable.
Jason @ May 14th 2008 6:49PM
Qwest is just going to be biller and retailer for vzw