Sprint's network in former HorizonPCS parts of SW Virginia

[TKR]

Last summer Sprint and Horizon agreed for Sprint to buy out Horizons PCS operation in SW Virginia and part (all?) of West Virginia.

My question is this: I understood that in the SW Virginia area (Roanoke, Blacksburg...) Horizon's newtwork was actually piggy-backed on the NTELOS hardware/sites. Is the now-Sprint operated Network still really a piggy back on NTELOS? Or does Sprint have its "own" network now?

[larry]

Good question, I haven't heard this discussed anywhere.

[agentHibby]

maybe we will see Sprint buyout of all Horizon PCS one day.

[Kalimotxo]

Originally Posted by TKR

Last summer Sprint and Horizon agreed for Sprint to buy out Horizons PCS operation in SW Virginia and part (all?) of West Virginia.

My question is this: I understood that in the SW Virginia area (Roanoke, Blacksburg...) Horizon's newtwork was actually piggy-backed on the NTELOS hardware/sites. Is the now-Sprint operated Network still really a piggy back on NTELOS? Or does Sprint have its "own" network now?

Who is Horizon wireless? Never heard of them...

I'm from Bburg and Sprint has always existed there since the Mid 90's. Don't quote me on this but I believe that Sprint doesn't "piggy-back" off of any network unless you have that $5 a month plan. One thing that Sprint likes to boast is the fact that they own every aspect of their network... They don't like to do any partner roam or "piggy-backing" if you will.

[larry]

Although it's rare, Sprint does in fact piggy-back sometimes. One example is in Montana where they use Western Wireless to provide their service.

[AndThenScottSays...]

In most of Eastern NC (and other areas too, I just don't know where) Sprint's network is owned by affiliate AirGate PCS, which was just bought out in February by Alamosa Holdings.

link to yahoo! business article

[TKR]

Originally Posted by Wumpusva

Who is Horizon wireless? Never heard of them...

I'm from Bburg and Sprint has always existed there since the Mid 90's. Don't quote me on this but I believe that Sprint doesn't "piggy-back" off of any network unless you have that $5 a month plan. One thing that Sprint likes to boast is the fact that they own every aspect of their network... They don't like to do any partner roam or "piggy-backing" if you will.

No, there are many "Sprint" areas that are in fact not Sprint owned/operated, depsite the fact they are marketed and function to the user as Sprint. These are affiliate areas. NTELOS operates over much of Virginia, and parts of their network serve Sprint. In other areas, Roanoke, Blacksburg.... Horizon PCS was the affiliate. In that particular area of VA, it is my understanding Horizon did not operate a network either, but had a contract to use the NTELOS network. So, you had Sprint service operating throught affiliate Horizon PCS, who was using NTELOS infrastructure.

My question is, what is the current set-up?

[ducm900s]

Last fall, I read a press release where Sprint signed an agreement to use the NTELOS network. For some reason, I'm thinking it was a 5 or 7 year deal for $250 million. This happened after the Horizon bankruptcy. Horizon was buying from NTELOS and then reselling it to Sprint.

[rhapsodyosx]

Are the Tri-Cities (near SW Virgina) also a serviced byHorizonPCS under the Sprint PCS name? I know knoxville is 100% Sprint, but it seems like the Tri-Cities are/were not.

[TKR]

Originally Posted by rhapsodyosx

Are the Tri-Cities (near SW Virgina) also a serviced byHorizonPCS under the Sprint PCS name? I know knoxville is 100% Sprint, but it seems like the Tri-Cities are/were not.

I think Bristol is still Horizon, and that this is an "Actual" Horizon area.

http://www.horizonpcs.com/about_us.htm

Map here shows Ntelos areas have been exited (by Horizon that is). http://www.horizonpcs.com/Presentati...al%20Draft.pdf

[TKR]

Originally Posted by ducm900s

Last fall, I read a press release where Sprint signed an agreement to use the NTELOS network. For some reason, I'm thinking it was a 5 or 7 year deal for $250 million. This happened after the Horizon bankruptcy. Horizon was buying from NTELOS and then reselling it to Sprint.

Hmmm. So does this mean the market is a Sprint corporate market (running the stores, rate plans, etc), but the physical network is not? Are there any other such hybrid markets?

[ducm900s]

Originally Posted by TKR

Hmmm. So does this mean the market is a Sprint corporate market (running the stores, rate plans, etc), but the physical network is not? Are there any other such hybrid markets?

I have seen both Sprint and NTELOS stores in Blacksburg, Roanoke, Charlottesville and Lynchburg.

[nightrain5]

Originally Posted by TKR

I think Bristol is still Horizon, and that this is an "Actual" Horizon area.

http://www.horizonpcs.com/about_us.htm

Map here shows Ntelos areas have been exited (by Horizon that is). http://www.horizonpcs.com/Presentati...al%20Draft.pdf

I've noticed employment ads for Horizon PCS on some of the employment websites for the Tri-Cities area for some time now(off and on), but have never seen any stores. That leads me to believe that the Sprint stores are actually operated by Horizon.

edit: More info. I just visited Hotjobs.com and did a search for Kingsport and surrounding areas. There are some Horizon jobs listed that were posted on Feb. 28. There are also some Sprint jobs listed there too as I know Sprint has a PCS call center in Bristol and some sort of center in Blountville and Johnson City too I believe. Whether they are for landline service or DSL I don't recall(although I'm thinking the Johnson City office is for landline stuff).

Off topic: Johnson City also has a Cingular call center, and Lebanon, VA has a AT&T call center(now Cingular as well).

[ComicalMoodyDan]

The Tri-Cities is affiliate ran by Horizon PCS. The stores are called Sprint stores and everything is stamped under the Sprint name. The call center in Bristol though from what I understand is corporate ran by Sprint PCS.

By the way nightrain the Sprint PCS store in Kingsport that closed down a while ago will be re-opening. It's not going to be at the same location though. The new store should open soon and it's located on East Stone Drive right next besides of Wilson's Pharmacy and two stores down from ALLTEL.

[nightrain5]

Originally Posted by TNDan21

By the way nightrain the Sprint PCS store in Kingsport that closed down a while ago will be re-opening. It's not going to be at the same location though. The new store should open soon and it's located on East Stone Drive right next besides of Wilson's Pharmacy and two stores down from ALLTEL.

Yes I've noticed that the Sprint store has moved. I think it was easier to get in and out of where it was(not that I went there very much).

I have switched over to Verizon. I had gotten a plan for my wife a few months back and wanted to get mobile to mobile minutes. Verizon has better deals on phones for new lines of service through Amazon, etc. than Sprint has for existing customers.

If this was a Sprint Corporate market, I probably wouldn't have switched due to the $5 Free and Clear America option; but it isn't.

[proud2bamerican8]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

maybe we will see Sprint buyout of all Horizon PCS one day.

well.....not exactly.

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/colu...4/daily29.html