Sprint improves service in Denver, Qwest towers converted

[larry]

Many Qwest towers in Denver have now been converted over to both Qwest and Sprint towers. This means that those sites are now broadcasting SID's for both carriers. Sprint customers will notice immediate improvements in Denver. I suspect that other Qwest towers in markets such as Phoenix and Salt Lake City also have been converted over (or are at least in the process).

[AnthroMatt]

Nice! Of course I can't see myself in Denver anytime soon...but I'll bet Denver Sprint people should be excited.

[Gamer03]

Didn't Sprint already have service in Denver, Colorado?

Anyway, hopefully I will notice how good the coverage is at Denver International Airport this July, when my family and I have a two hour layover there.

[AnthroMatt]

Yes, they had service, but now they have all their towers plus all of Qwest's. And if you have ever been to Denver you know Qwest has a huge presence in Denver.

[larry]

This significantly improves Sprint's signal throughout Denver and could put them at the top for coverage.

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by AnthroMatt

Yes, they had service, but now they have all their towers plus all of Qwest's. And if you have ever been to Denver you know Qwest has a huge presence in Denver.

Oh ok.

That's good to hear.

No, I have never been to Denverm, but my family and I will go there for the first time this summer (two hour layover at Denver International Airport).

Will Qwest towers ever be converted to run on Sprint PCS in Montana or other areas will Sprint doesn't have any coverage?

Thanks.

[larry]

Yes Sprint will completely take over Montana before Thanksgiving weekend. They could actually have the network open for travelers by late August.

[DemoMan]

Any speculation as to what will happen Qwest's spectrum that Sprint doesn't need? I remember it had been said that Cingular would probably buy it, but w/ the AT&T deal....Why? lol

Bradley

[agentHibby]

Hey Bill Radio, once the network is complete will Sprint have the better CDMA network in the Dever Metro; or will US West Cellular AKA Verizon have the better network overall??

[larry]

US West became Qwest in Denver didn't it?

[agentHibby]

US West Cellular (aka New Vector) was sold to Airtouch in early 1997, so US West could build there own PCS network.
Also US West divested there intrest in Primeco LP to Airtouch in 1997.

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by larry

US West became Qwest in Denver didn't it?

LCI merged with US West to become Qwest in early 2000

www.lci.com

[BillRadio]

I finally have an official response from Qwest Wireless. They are very hesitant to say anything about how these changes will affect Sprint customers, only Qwest Wireless customers.

The official line from Carey Madsen of Qwest media relations is that all Qwest Wireless customers will have service maintained at the same level as before. This means to maintain coverage in a certain location, a Qwest site may be purchased and converted by Sprint, or Sprint will install a new site for the benefit of Qwest Wireless customers. This includes WY and MT.

This will be done on a site by site basis and has already been done in some locations. In those locations, Qwest sites have been converted to Sprint sites, and this is being done market by market.

When a market is "converted", Qwest customers will receive a notice in the mail to call a number (*2?) and OTA handsets will receive "upgraded software", which we would assume is a current Sprint PRL. Customers with non-OTA handsets will receive a new OTA-capable phone. This can be done by mail or at the new Qwest kiosks.

They don't expect the smaller markets to be upgraded until "4th Quarter, 2004." Also, in those smaller markets, Qwest Wireless is not accepting any new customers until that time. This implies there is still some waiting for Sprint to begin operating sites in these smaller markets.

Ms. Madsen could not comment of the status of Sprint customers in these Qwest markets, but did report that there would not be any reason to expect Sprint customers would be denied service there.

As before, the news seems to be all positive, it's just a slower conversion process than we expected. Qwest Wireless customers will enjoy huge benefits from the conversion.

Originally Posted by agentHibby

Hey Bill Radio, once the network is complete will Sprint have the better CDMA network in the Dever Metro; or will US West Cellular AKA Verizon have the better network overall??

In my opinion, the Sprint/Qwest network will get better, but I would not go as far to say it will be better than Verizon. Not every Qwest site will be used by Sprint. I will say that it will solidify Sprint in the Number 2 position in markets like Denver. There are a handful of suburban locations here where Sprint is clearly superior to all carriers, and that is a strong position to be in.

Personally, I have only seen one new site ID on my older Sprint phone, and that may be a new Sprint site. It is not the Qwest Wireless site nearest my office, nor any known Qwest sites along my commute.

BTW, the new site being built within sight of my home is Nextel.

History:
1. US West Cellular > US West NewVector Cellular > Airtouch > Verizon.
2. US West Advanced PCS > US West Wireless > Qwest Wireless.

[BillRadio]

Originally Posted by Gamer03

[b]Anyway, hopefully I will notice how good the coverage is at Denver International Airport this July, when my family and I have a two hour layover there.

Sprint has several antennas on the airport grounds. One inside the Main Terminal, one outside pointed at the 3 other terminals, one by the rental car lots, and one at the exit from I-70. Last time I tried, it wouldn't work in the train tunnel, but will roam on Verizon there.

What's annoying is that there are signs at each gate bragging that AT&T Wireless customers have wi-fi access at that location. A local TV station discovered that wi-fi access is totally non-secure and your activity is viewable by any other nearby user. You can view the AT&T customers' wireless number.

[larry]

Thanks for the update Bill. Sounds like a win win situation for both Qwest and Sprint customers.

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by BillRadio

Sprint has several antennas on the airport grounds. One inside the Main Terminal, one outside pointed at the 3 other terminals, one by the rental car lots, and one at the exit from I-70. Last time I tried, it wouldn't work in the train tunnel, but will roam on Verizon there.

What's annoying is that there are signs at each gate bragging that AT&T Wireless customers have wi-fi access at that location. A local TV station discovered that wi-fi access is totally non-secure and your activity is viewable by any other nearby user. You can view the AT&T customers' wireless number.

That's good to hear.

I can check the messages and the strength of the signal while we are at the airport.

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by larry

Yes Sprint will completely take over Montana before Thanksgiving weekend. They could actually have the network open for travelers by late August.

Cool.

Hopefully Sprint will also update their coverage maps around that time with their native coverage.

I guess we should say a prayer and cross our fingers and just wait...

[larry]

Never assume Sprint will update their coverage maps.

[Gamer03]

Originally Posted by larry

Never assume Sprint will update their coverage maps.

Yeah, that's for sure.

That is why I said:

"Hopefully Sprint will also update their coverage maps around that time with their native coverage."