Qwest Wireless was the cell phone brand of phone company Qwest, launched in 1998 as US West Wireless and later run on Sprint’s network. Qwest began reselling Verizon Wireless in 2008, moved most customers there, and shut Qwest Wireless down on October 31, 2009.
Qwest Wireless is gone
Qwest Wireless service ended on October 31, 2009. Qwest announced the date in August 2009 and gave remaining customers 60 days to switch. By the end of the second quarter of 2009, more than 75 percent of its wireless customers had already moved to Verizon’s network. Qwest waived early termination fees for customers who disconnected. Starting in September 2009, outgoing calls were routed to a Qwest representative who reminded callers of the shutdown.
If you had a Qwest Wireless line
Most customers went to Verizon Wireless. Qwest became an authorized Verizon Wireless agent in 2008, and customers who switched kept their numbers. Customers could also port to any other carrier before October 31, 2009. A number not moved by then was disconnected with the service. Verizon is the direct successor today.
How Qwest Wireless ended
- 1998: US West Wireless launches with its own network in the 14-state US West region; it later becomes Qwest Wireless.
- 2003-2004: Qwest Wireless becomes a mobile virtual network operator on Sprint’s network and retires its own network.
- May 7, 2008: Reports say Qwest will move its wireless business from Sprint Nextel to reselling Verizon Wireless.
- July 28, 2008: Qwest starts selling Verizon Wireless service to new customers; existing customers are offered the move in August 2008.
- August 18, 2009: Qwest says Qwest Wireless will end October 31, 2009, with no early termination fees.
- October 31, 2009: Qwest Wireless service ends.
Why Qwest Wireless ended
Qwest found a better deal. Its Sprint Nextel agreement barred it from selling wireless outside its 14-state wireline footprint, and growth had stalled at roughly 800,000 customers. In 2008 Qwest signed a five-year deal to resell Verizon Wireless instead, which executives called “much, much better” economics. Once most customers had moved to Verizon, Qwest retired its own wireless brand.
How to find who holds an old number now
- Check an old bill or payment record. It names the company that billed you last.
- Run the number through a carrier lookup tool. It shows the carrier that holds the number today.
- Call that carrier and ask for the account number and transfer PIN.
- Start the port from the new carrier. Never cancel the old line first.
Your right to keep a number
Number portability is federal law, not a carrier policy. The rule is the FCC’s: Portability: Keeping Your Phone Number When Changing Service Providers.
How we verified Qwest Wireless
BestCellular.com tracks active carriers and defunct ones. We keep both, because people still search for brands that no longer exist. Every fact on this page comes from the sources listed below, and we leave a detail out when no source states it. Where sources disagree, this page says so. If you can document a correction, tell us and we will check it against the sources.
Tracked and active are different counts on this site. Qwest Wireless counts in our tracked total, not in our active total, so it does not appear in tools built for live carriers.
Questions about Qwest Wireless
Is Qwest Wireless still available?
No. Qwest Wireless ended on October 31, 2009. There is no Qwest-branded cell service to buy or reactivate. Former Qwest Wireless customers were steered to Verizon Wireless in 2008 and 2009, and Verizon is the direct successor.
Which network did Qwest Wireless use?
Qwest Wireless ran its own network starting in 1998 as US West Wireless. In 2003 and 2004 it became a mobile virtual network operator on Sprint’s CDMA network, which it used until the brand ended in 2009.
What happened to Qwest Wireless customers?
Most moved to Verizon Wireless. Qwest said more than 75 percent of its wireless customers were on Verizon’s network by mid-2009. The rest had until October 31, 2009 to switch, could port their numbers, and paid no early termination fee.
Did Qwest Wireless charge a fee to cancel at the shutdown?
No. Qwest said it would not charge early termination fees to customers disconnecting Qwest Wireless service before the October 31, 2009 shutdown. Customers who switched to Verizon through Qwest could also keep their phone numbers and get combined billing.
Sources
Checked October 13, 2026.
- Fierce Network: Qwest shutting down wireless service Oct. 31: Service ends October 31, 2009; over 75% moved to Verizon by end of Q2 2009; no early termination fees; 60-day notice (August 18, 2009).
- InformationWeek: Qwest Wireless ending service Oct. 31: Customers must switch by October 31; Qwest an authorized Verizon Wireless agent; customers keep numbers (August 18, 2009).
- RCR Wireless News: Qwest moves wireless biz to VZW: Five-year Verizon resale deal; Sprint deal limited Qwest to its 14-state footprint; about 800,000 customers (May 7, 2008).
- Wikipedia: Qwest Wireless: 1998 launch as US West Wireless; Sprint MVNO from 2003-2004; Verizon sales from July 28, 2008. Its stated end date of 2011 conflicts with 2009 reports.
- Wikipedia: List of mobile virtual network operators in the United States: Lists Qwest Wireless as defunct, Sprint host network, end date 2010.
Best Cellular. “Qwest Wireless: What Happened,” BestCellular.com. https://bestcellular.com/qwest-wireless/
Free to reuse with credit. Licence, sources and the full dataset. All defunct carriers are listed on carriers that shut down.
Where Qwest Wireless customers went
Qwest Wireless customers were directed to Verizon Postpaid. These live carriers are also worth a look.