Qwest, Sprint ink wireless deal

Qwest Communications International Inc. signed a deal with Sprint on Monday allowing it to offer national wireless service to customers in the 14 states where it also sells local phone service.

By The Associated Press Rocky Mountain News

Denver-based Qwest said it plans to offer Sprint PCS Vision to its local customers and to business customers nationwide. But it will handle sales, billing and customer service on its own.

Terms were not disclosed.

"This agreement allows us to provide customers with nationwide wireless service and the convenience of Qwest’s integrated landline-to-wireless features," Qwest chief executive Richard Notebaert said.

The companies said they expected most of Qwest’s existing wireless customers and new customers to move onto Sprint’s network by next year. Qwest said it plans to start selling calling plans next year that incorporate nationwide coverage.

Len Lauer, president of the PCS division of Sprint, which is based in Overland Park, Kan., said the agreement would give Sprint a new sales channel while giving Qwest customers access to a national, digital wireless network.

Sprint had 2.1 million PCS Vision customers as of June 30. Qwest had slightly less than 1 million wireless customers as of March 31.

Qwest stock was up 24 cents to $4.03 in Monday morning trading and shares of Sprint PCS, the company’s wireless unit, were up 3 cents to $6.08 on the New York Stock Exchange.

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