Carrier Qwest changes its strategy for delivering wireless voice and broadband to customers.Qwest Communications International said May 5 it had signed a five-year
agreement with Verizon Wireless to market and sell Verizon Wireless service
beginning the summer of 2008. The companies also announced that they will work
together on bidding for enterprise and government wireless contracts and will
collaborate in the development of converged services.
The deal fundamentally changes how Qwest provides wireless services to its
customers from its current wholesale model to an agency relationship. According
to Qwest, the deal is similar in structure to the company's current arrangement
with DirecTV. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Click Here to Watch the
Latest eWEEK Newsbreak Video.
Under the agreement, Qwest customers will have access to all Verizon
Wireless handsets, smart phones and BlackBerry devices, as well as high-speed
broadband wireless services for e-mail, Internet access and multimedia
services. Residential customers will be able to choose wireless-only plans
and be billed directly by Verizon Wireless.
Click here to read about Verizon's successful bid for coveted 700MHz spectrum in the recent FCC auction.
Residential customers will also have the option of including Verizon
Wireless service as part of a Qwest bundle that includes land-line and
broadband service and receiving one bill from Qwest for all services.
"Qwest's strategies for success certainly will benefit from this deal and
we look forward to a solid relationship with Verizon Wireless," Qwest
Chairman and CEO Ed Mueller said in a
statement.
In a joint statement with Mueller, Verizon Wireless President and CEO
Lowell McAdam added, "The quality and reliability of our network, coupled
with our broadband capabilities, leading lineup of advanced communications
devices and reputation for customer satisfaction will make a huge difference in
their [Qwest customers'] wireless experience."
Qwest residential customers will be able to buy
Verizon Wireless products and services through Qwest's call centers, retail
stores and kiosks and online at Qwest.com.
| | Reader Comments: Qwest to Sell Verizon Wireless Services | | >>> Post your comment now!
| | humph termination of wireless servicewhat will happen? well, if you want wireless services you will have to go with verizon bundled on your qwest bill. since they no longer offer... Posted At: 11-07-08 By: nondescript | | | | | | Qwest Dumps Sprint Customershope this story can help many in my situation.
Qwest has decided to have Verizon Wireless handle their wireless service. Qwest is terminating all... Posted At: 11-05-08 By: John | | | | | | No way Qwest buyout gets approvedQwest getting bought out would leave two local telcos: Verizon for the northeast + plains states and SBC/new-ATT for the rest. I doubt even Bush's... Posted At: 05-12-08 By: Anonymous | | | | | | What happens to Spint usersWhat happens to Qwest customers that have their cell phones on the Sprint network? which, as I understand it, is all of them. Posted At: 05-08-08 By: Roger | | | | | | Phone systemsQwest has a lot. Many business customers as well as 911 services country wide are running off of Qwest lines one way or another. Verizon Wireless... Posted At: 05-08-08 By: Nick | | | | | | Qwest & Verizon Limited marriageI agree with you, that Verizon should buy Qwest if it's worth any thing...All of their equipment is older than dirt??? Why doesn't Verizon just... Posted At: 05-07-08 By: 1tradnwilli | | | | | | A user comment on this articleMore like "only move possible" by qwest. Sprint's network and handsets are garbage, I cant believe they are even in business. Qwest should just... Posted At: 05-05-08 By: aaaron | | | | | | >>> Post your comment now! | | | | | |
|
 |