Sprint affiliate US Unwired is suing Sprint for allegedly overcharging and underpaying the affiliate. US Unwired first sued Sprint in 2003, seeking $275 million in damages. The suit goes to court this week. Approximately 3.4 million Sprint customers (13 percent of its subscriber base) get wireless service through Sprint's 11 affiliates, separate wireless carriers which control their own networks by reselling service using Sprint's brand and spectrum. Sprint's partnerships with some of its affiliate carriers has been less than ideal. The carrier has had disputes with a number of affiliates, including Horizon PCS and iPCS.
For more on US Unwired's suit against Sprint:
- see this story from the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)