Sprint buys spectrum and customers from U.S. Cellular
The nation's third largest carrier, Sprint, has agreed to purchase some PCS spectrum and a large number of customers from U.S. Cellular. Sprint will receive in the deal 20MHz of PCS spectrum in various Midwest markets including Chicago, South Bend, Indiana and Champaign, Illinois. The carrier also will be adding 10MHz in St. Louis.
As part of the transaction, 420,000 U.S. Cellular customers in the Midwest will be moving to Sprint. These customers have already been notified of the change and will receive more information as the transition mores closer to completion, a process that could take several months. These customers will be allowed to switch to a similar or better device "for little or no cost and with a wide variety of contract or non-contract plans." And of course, those customers whose accounts are moving to Sprint will not be charged with an Early Termination Fee.
source: Sprint
During the transition period, affected U.S. Cellular customers will still have access to the regional carrier's network while they decide what to do about moving to Sprint.
"We know how important good value, network performance and excellent service are to these customers and Sprint has a wide portfolio of competitive devices, prepaid options, an improved 3G and growing 4G LTE network experience, and unlimited data, text and voice plans to meet their wireless needs. We want their business and are motivated to make the transition as seamless as possible."-Paget Alves, chief sales officer, Sprint
source: Sprint
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (BUSINESS WIRE), May 17, 2013 - Sprint (NYSE: S) today completed its transaction with U.S. Cellular (NYSE: USM) to acquire 20MHz of PCS spectrum in various Midwest markets including Chicago, South Bend, Ind., and Champaign, Ill., and 10MHz of PCS spectrum in the St. Louis market. The additional spectrum will significantly increase Sprint’s network capacity and further improve the customer experience in these markets. In addition, the transaction includes approximately 420,000 U.S. Cellular customers.
Sprint and U.S. Cellular have already notified affected customers and Sprint will send them additional information on the exact timing and details of the transition which will last several months. Sprint and its Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and payLo prepaid brands are providing special offers and incentives for affected customers that significantly reduce the cost of acquiring a new device to transition from the U.S. Cellular network. In many cases, affected customers can switch from their current device to a similar or better Sprint or prepaid device for little or no cost and with a wide variety of contract or non-contract plans. Affected customers will not be charged an Early Termination Fee when switching their service. During the months-long transition period, U.S. Cellular’s network will remain active and affected customers may continue to use U.S. Cellular for their wireless service while evaluating their options. For more information, affected customers can call 800-216-7023 or visit www.sprint.com/uscellular.
“We know how important good value, network performance and excellent service are to these customers and Sprint has a wide portfolio of competitive devices, prepaid options, an improved 3G and growing 4G LTE network experience, and unlimited data, text and voice plans to meet their wireless needs,” said Paget Alves, Sprint chief sales officer. “We want their business and are motivated to make the transition as seamless as possible.”
The 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 U.S. industries, during the last four years. Sprint continues to bring a better wireless experience to more customers across the country as it builds out its all-new 3G and 4G LTE network. Sprint has launched 4G LTE in 88 markets nationwide and announced more than 170 markets where 4G LTE will be available in the coming months. Sprint offers a wide range of 4G LTE devices, including HTC One® and Samsung Galaxy S® 4. The wide selection of devices and Sprint’s Everything Data plans – including Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network – Sprint provides one of the best choices in wireless.
Sprint and U.S. Cellular have already notified affected customers and Sprint will send them additional information on the exact timing and details of the transition which will last several months. Sprint and its Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile and payLo prepaid brands are providing special offers and incentives for affected customers that significantly reduce the cost of acquiring a new device to transition from the U.S. Cellular network. In many cases, affected customers can switch from their current device to a similar or better Sprint or prepaid device for little or no cost and with a wide variety of contract or non-contract plans. Affected customers will not be charged an Early Termination Fee when switching their service. During the months-long transition period, U.S. Cellular’s network will remain active and affected customers may continue to use U.S. Cellular for their wireless service while evaluating their options. For more information, affected customers can call 800-216-7023 or visit www.sprint.com/uscellular.
“We know how important good value, network performance and excellent service are to these customers and Sprint has a wide portfolio of competitive devices, prepaid options, an improved 3G and growing 4G LTE network experience, and unlimited data, text and voice plans to meet their wireless needs,” said Paget Alves, Sprint chief sales officer. “We want their business and are motivated to make the transition as seamless as possible.”
The 2012 American Customer Satisfaction Index ranked Sprint No. 1 among all national carriers in customer satisfaction and most improved, across all 47 U.S. industries, during the last four years. Sprint continues to bring a better wireless experience to more customers across the country as it builds out its all-new 3G and 4G LTE network. Sprint has launched 4G LTE in 88 markets nationwide and announced more than 170 markets where 4G LTE will be available in the coming months. Sprint offers a wide range of 4G LTE devices, including HTC One® and Samsung Galaxy S® 4. The wide selection of devices and Sprint’s Everything Data plans – including Any Mobile, AnytimeSM, unlimited Web, texting and calling to and from any mobile in America while on the Sprint Network – Sprint provides one of the best choices in wireless.
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