en102Canadian, eh? join:2001-01-26 Valencia, CA 1 edit |
en102
Member
2008-Mar-7 1:10 pm
They should use Alltel - similar coverage areas.AT&T wouldn't be all that great for Wireless in many of Qwest's areas, as it would be a lot of roaming. Qwest would do better to hook up with Alltel, with the execption of a few areas (Denver) for native coverage. | |
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Re: They should use Alltel - similar coverage areas.very true. Alltel also uses VZW and Sprint for roaming. I love my Alltel coverage. A lot more areas that Sprint didnt have or changed tower placement. and the larger calling area. They don't use the Largest Calling Network for nothing. | |
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| AZ_OGM join:2007-01-12 Phoenix, AZ |
to en102
Especially across the Dakotas where GSM coverage is sketchy at best, more so if you stray from the Interstate. Even in parts of the Twin Cities, Qwest Wireless would switch to roam which I thought was hilarious. | |
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MisinformationActually, Qwest's customers would need to change handsets. Even though Sprint and Verizon are CDMA, you cannot use their phones across networks like you can on GSM.
Joe | |
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| en102Canadian, eh? join:2001-01-26 Valencia, CA |
en102
Member
2008-Mar-7 1:47 pm
Re: MisinformationI think technically that they could, however, most carriers do not like the use of other carrier handsets. Verizon has its customized UI and services tied to its handsets. Many of the Sprint functions by default would not function. Also, I wouldn't expect Verizon to allow Sprint handsets anyways. | |
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| | n1zukmaking really tiny tech things Premium Member join:2001-10-24 Malta |
n1zuk
Premium Member
2008-Mar-7 2:57 pm
Re: MisinformationWould Sprint even allow their branded handsets to be used on a competitors network? Especially one who would be taking some of their business away from them?
There probably is something in the licencing of the hardware or firmware of the Sprint branded handsets that would prevent them from being used, at least, without some sort of compensation. | |
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viperlmw
Premium Member
2008-Mar-7 3:25 pm
Re: MisinformationThe handsets Qwest uses on the Sprint network are Qwest branded, and use Qwest software. Plus, if Qwest moves to another provider, this would all be negotiated in the agreement. | |
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dmconwa1 to n1zuk
Anon
2008-Mar-8 1:13 pm
to n1zuk
When Qwest did the transition to the Sprint network they replaced some older phones, but for the most part the phones were changed over through a software download each customer had to do in order to switch over to the new network. | |
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Kiley
Anon
2008-Mar-13 1:23 pm
Re: MisinformationI was working for Qwest during the transition to Sprint, actually. The reason most of the phones switched over with just a PRL update was because the old network was also CDMA, the same as Sprint. Switching to AT&T's GSM network would require new phones since they're different network configurations (GSM also uses phones with SIM cards). And to the earlier post, yes, you can use phones from other providers on a different network (as long as they're both CDMA). You just need to be able to unlock the phone. | |
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| | swintec Premium Member join:2003-12-19 Alfred, ME |
to en102
I have Sprint service here in Maine and when I am roaming I am using Verizons network. All services work except for the locate feature where people can see where you are in real time. | |
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morboComplete Your Transaction join:2002-01-22 00000 |
morbo
Member
2008-Mar-7 2:00 pm
ugh avoid both Verizon and AT&T. any of the other providers are superior.
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| openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
openbox9
Premium Member
2008-Mar-7 2:51 pm
Re: ughWhat other providers? Sprint that Qwest is already using? Alltel, which may be good. Or maybe T-Mobile which has a smaller footprint. | |
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It's called leverageQwest is simply doing this to leverage a better deal with Sprint. The switch will be too costly to be worth the effort. | |
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Re: It's called leveragesaid by xenophon:Qwest is simply doing this to leverage a better deal with Sprint. The switch will be too costly to be worth the effort. I would tend to agree with this sentiment. | |
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dmconwa1 to xenophon
Anon
2008-Mar-8 3:33 pm
to xenophon
I think Qwest will end up jumping ship. Sprint just doesn't have the network in the Qwest 14 state region. Look at the maps. They only offer EVDO in eight of Qwest states. They have made it clear that they badly want to sell mobile broadband. Looking at the competition.
Verizon owns all of the old Qwest PCS spectrum. They have EVDO coverage in 13 of 14 Qwest states. South Dakota is the only state without EVDO coverage. Some handsets would need to be changed, but the majority could be transitioned with a software download.
As for AT&T they have HSDPA in 12 of the 14 states, but their coverage isn't even close to what Verizon has got, and the transition would be more costly.
T-mobile will never be part of this discussion. They haven't launched HSDPA to a major market yet. Never mind smaller Qwest markets.
That leaves us with Alltel who is the only other logical choice. They have EVDO coverage in all 14 Qwest states but, Verizon has better coverage overall. Specifically in the major markets which Verizon cover more of. Alltel has a major coverage advantage in North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Verizon pretty much rules the roost everywhere else.
I think Verizon will get the contract. It just makes the most sense given what Qwest has said in the media. | |
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dvd536as Mr. Pink as they come Premium Member join:2001-04-27 Phoenix, AZ |
dvd536
Premium Member
2008-Mar-7 4:12 pm
Qworst - Qwest is. . . .the charter communications of telephone companies. US West by any other name stinks as bad. | |
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WeSRT4 join:2000-11-20 Mobile, AL |
WeSRT4
Member
2008-Mar-9 12:29 pm
Why did they sell their network?If they want to sell wireless service I don't understand why they sold their network a few years back. Not a very good decision if you ask me. | |
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dmconwa1
Anon
2008-Mar-9 7:03 pm
Re: Why did they sell their network?They were trying to save the company from bankruptcy. They sold off the yellow page business and the wireless buisness. They were so strapped for cash they couldn't build out a national network.
The real mistake was selling off air touch cellular back in the 90's. Which of course became a major part of the Verizon network. | |
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