Qwest Wireless sets a death date

Former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio received good news when he learned that the U.S. Justice Department had decided against appealing the reduction of his original six-year jail sentence for insider-trading violations. But many Qwest Wireless customers will probably be less excited upon leraning they've got to switch their service by the end of October, when the company will officially exit from the wireless biz. Granted, plenty of them knew it was coming. After all, Verizon Wireless made a deal last year to become Qwest's official wireless partner -- but that doesn't make the necessity of finding a new provider over the course of the next couple months any more pleasant. Unless being inundated by offers from every phone salesman in the known universe constitutes your idea of fun.

Qwest tries its best to make the task seem less onerous in the release on view below:

Qwest Issues 60-Day Notice to Qwest Wireless Customers

Effective Oct. 31, Qwest Wireless Service Will No Longer Be Available

DENVER, Aug. 18, 2009 - Starting today, Qwest Wireless customers will begin to receive notification that they have 60 days to switch their Qwest Wireless service to another wireless provider. In 2008, Qwest announced plans to exit its wireless business and began offering Verizon Wireless service to Qwest customers.

Key Facts:

· Qwest will discontinue all Qwest Wireless service on Oct. 31, 2009.

· There is no early termination fee when disconnecting Qwest Wireless service.

· Qwest Wireless phone numbers are portable. Customers who switch to a new service provider, prior to Oct. 31, 2009, will be able to transfer their wireless phone numbers to the new service provider.

· Qwest is an authorized agent for Verizon Wireless. Qwest Wireless customers who select Verizon Wireless as their provider can take advantage of combined billing and exclusive handset offers from Verizon Wireless.

· In September and October, when Qwest Wireless customers who have not changed wireless service providers make a call, they will be routed to a live Qwest service representative, who will remind customers that Qwest is discontinuing Qwest Wireless service and a new service provider needs to be selected. Once the customer service communication is complete, calls will be connected as dialed.

· For more information about switching from Qwest Wireless service, visit http://www.qwest.com/wirelessfaq, or call 1 800-516-0669, or visit one of the many Qwest Solution Centers www.qwest.com/stores.

Key Quotes:

Neil E. Cox, Qwest executive vice president of Product

"Our goal is to offer service that meets the needs of our customers and to provide timely information about changes or events that impact that service," said Neil E. Cox, Qwest executive vice president of Product. "Last year, through our strong alliance with Verizon Wireless, our customers began the move to the industry's best wireless products and services on the nation's most reliable wireless network. Today, we are reminding those who have not transitioned that Qwest Wireless service will end on Oct. 31."