Qwest calls time on MVNO service

US operator Qwest will discontinue its branded wireless service from October.31.
 
The carrier said it issued its customers a warning that they have 60 days to switch to another wireless provider. The announcement brings to a close Qwest's efforts to run a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).
 
The carrier last summer announced it would quit selling Qwest-branded service through its MVNO with Sprint Nextel in favor of reselling voice and data service from Verizon Wireless.
 
Qwest has been diligently working to transition its current Qwest Wireless customers onto Verizon Wireless' network. And it seems the efforts have paid off: Last month, Qwest said more than 75% of its wireless customer base had moved to Verizon's network by the end of the second quarter.
 
Qwest said it would not charge customers early termination fees for disconnecting from Qwest Wireless. The company said that customers who switch providers prior to October 31 will be able to port their phone numbers to the new operator.
 
Further, Qwest said that from next month it would begin redirecting all outgoing calls from its Qwest Wireless customers to a live Qwest representative, who will remind them that Qwest is discontinuing Qwest Wireless service and that they need to switch to a new carrier.
 
Qwest is one of a number of companies – including Disney, ESPN and others – to evacuate the MVNO space.