Qwest to quit wireless by end of October
updated 12:30 pm EDT, Tue August 18, 2009
Qwest to quit wireless
Qwest announced it plans to no longer provide wireless services by October 31st, according to statements by the company (subscription required). Qwest will begin notifying its customers soon, telling them they have 60 days to find a new provider, but will not charge early termination fees for those still in mid-contract. The provider had piggybacked onto Verizon's network to provide its wireless voice services, and announced in July that more than 75 percent of its wireless business was on Verizon Wireless network by the end of the second quarter.
Qwest suffered from the poor economy and competition from more established providers, and its strategy of building up its data and Internet services did not help. The provider attempted to sell its long-distance network but changed its mind after not receiving what it judged to be a fair bid for the service.
Qwest will continue to offer its conventional Internet and TV services.
