Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) and Verizon Wireless
announced today they have signed a 5-year agreement for Qwest to market
and sell Verizon Wireless service beginning this summer. Financial terms
of the agreement are not being disclosed.
Under the agreement, Qwest customers will have access to the full line
of Verizon Wireless handsets, smartphones 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”
and be billed directly by Verizon Wireless, or include Verizon Wireless
service as part of a Qwest bundle with their home phone, Internet and
video services, and receive one bill from Qwest for all services.
“We are excited to be partnering with Verizon
Wireless and believe this opportunity will enhance the Qwest customer
experience,” said Ed Mueller, Qwest chairman
and CEO. “Verizon Wireless’ strong
reputation in innovation, network quality and reliability, and superior
products and services was very attractive in our decision to deliver
state-of-the-art mobile solutions to consumer, business and government
customers. Qwest’s strategies for success
certainly will benefit from this deal and we look forward to a solid
relationship with Verizon Wireless.”
Qwest residential customers will be able to buy Verizon Wireless
products and services via Qwest’s call
centers, Qwest’s retail stores and kiosks,
and online at Qwest.com. Once billing systems are coordinated,
residential customers will be able to elect to have their Verizon
Wireless service charges included on their Qwest bill. Qwest customers
will receive information in the near future about the Verizon Wireless
products and services that will soon be available to them.
In addition, the companies will work together on bidding for enterprise
and government wireless contracts, and collaborate in the development of
converged services, such as a unified voicemail box for mobile and
landline as well as integration of Qwest’s IP
networking solutions with Verizon Wireless’
mobile data network for business and government customers.
“We welcome the opportunity to provide Qwest
customers with the best wireless service available,”
said Lowell McAdam, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless. “The
quality and reliability of our network, coupled with our broadband
capabilities, leading line-up of advanced communications devices and
reputation for customer satisfaction will make a huge difference in
their wireless experience.”
About Qwest
Qwest offers a powerful combination of award-winning broadband, video
and voice solutions for residential customers, businesses and government
agencies. Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading
national fiber optic network to meet their evolving communications and
entertainment needs. Qwest employees are the driving force behind the
company’s nationally recognized Spirit of
Service. Qwest is a participant in Networx, the largest communications
services contract in the world, to provide innovative voice, data and
video services, and is recognized as a leader in the network services
market by a leading technology industry analyst firm. For more
information on Qwest, please visit www.qwest.com.
For information about the products and services Qwest is offering in the
Networx contract, visit www.gsanetworx.com
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most
reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million
customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees
nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon
Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE: VOD)(LSE: VOD). For more
information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.
To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and
high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the
Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
The marks that comprise the Qwest logo are registered trademarks of
Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other
countries.
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