Qwest talks wireless with AT&T
Company ponders switch from Sprint when pact ends
By Jeff Smith, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published March 5, 2008 at 12:37 p.m.
Updated March 5, 2008 at 10:33 p.m.
Qwest Communications has talked with all three major nationwide carriers - AT&T, Verizon and Sprint Nextel - about a new wireless partnership, the Denver telco said this week.
But company spokeswoman Diane Reberger declined to say whether it's in active negotiations with a particular carrier.
Qwest CEO Ed Mueller has said the company has a "hole" in wireless because it's unable to immediately offer the latest and greatest devices.
Mueller said Qwest, which has a resale agreement with Sprint, wants to forge a new wireless partnership as quickly as possible.
Mueller, pronounced "Miller," told Bloomberg News this week that consumer demand for Apple's iPhone, which runs on AT&T's wireless network, illustrates the kind of device consumers want these days.
"It's almost like carrying your own laptop, with full functionality and a real cool device that gives you everything you would get if we were sitting here plugged in," Mueller said.
Qwest said it hasn't talked with T-Mobile, the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the U.S.
Some industry experts said they wouldn't be surprised if Qwest renegotiates its agreement with Sprint. They noted that Sprint, which is experiencing tough times and has a new CEO, may be motivated to provide more favorable terms.
One factor that hurts Qwest's bargaining power is that it has only 824,000 wireless subscribers.
Mueller told analysts last week he wants Qwest's new wireless agreement to be similar to its deal with DirecTV, in which Qwest offers satellite TV under DirecTV's brand.
smithje@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5155
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March 5, 2008
3:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
gwats writes:
Please go with AT&T. I'm thinking about getting an iPhone and firing Verizon!
March 5, 2008
4:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
DahmersCookbook writes:
This means that scumbag Naccio will run his empire from behind bars (very 'Mafioso') and continue to get fat. I oppose this move because it would bring back this failing CO icon. He also gave the government the ok to eavesdrop on his subscribers. I live through my iPhone (bragging) and this "Merge" would hinder my misdeeds.
March 5, 2008
8:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
SufferingFromFools writes:
Um, sorry? I don't see the Nacho guy implication here. Can you explain your rant? (disclaimer - I don't like Joe either and am waiting for him to start serving a sentence.)
March 6, 2008
6:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
stevea writes:
People hate Joe Naccio because he's smarter than everybody else. Having this Mueller clown who says things like "...and a real cool device..." at the helm should make everybody feel warm and fuzzy about their Captains of Industry again.
March 6, 2008
8:37 a.m.
Suggest removal
jxkelle writes:
Just to clarify! Nacchio is NOT 'at the helm' or in any way 'in charge' at Qwest. If there is a God, he'll rot in prison soon!
This wireless issue has nothing whatsoever to do with Nacchio -
March 7, 2008
6:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
reddog writes:
Good, I have qwest and there are no features attached. I would like to see them leave sprint so I can get features like emailing a pic.
March 8, 2008
7:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Vinie writes:
Ok first thing Qwest did not give customer information to the government they are one of the few telco's that fights it. The only way they give out information is on a case by case basis.
Two Nachio is a putz and will rot in jail unfortunatly we have to deal with a slow legal process for white collar crimes.
Third Sprint offers data service, So does Qwest. Haven't you seen the Qwest mobile broadband commercials. I have had the service for almost two years and I have been able to send pictures to individuals and also email's. Now its even easier for me since I just got a new Pocket PC phone. You just need to ask for a data plan. Right now its the Sprint Vision service that they offer unless you have a Pocket PC.
I too would like to see Qwest on the front lines of wireless service. Top phones top features and better pricing would be the best things they could do. It can be done with Sprint but there has to be some changes to the current contracts that they have together.
Untill 2008 I wasnt sure about the new CEO Mueller. Im still not that sure it seems like he is just sitting back and enjoing the ride but this new year he has started to make alot of changes and is definatly stiring the pot some.