DENVER-Following a slower-than-expected transition of its wireless customers to Sprint PCS’ network as part of a mobile virtual network operator agreement announced last year, Qwest Communications International Inc. posted a 17.4-percent year-over-year drop in its wireless customer base from 988,000 customers at the end of the first quarter of 2003 to 816,000 subscribers this year. Wireless average revenue per user also dropped more than 2 percent from $43 last year to $42 this year, while market penetration decreased 18.5 percent from 4.43 percent at the end of the first quarter last year to 3.61 percent this year.
The telecommunications provider added that the delay in moving its wireless customers to Sprint PCS’ network was caused by network integration issues and contributed to its nearly 4-percent drop in first-quarter revenue.
“We are satisfied with the progress we made in the quarter with the exception of our activities in wireless,” said Qwest Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Notebaert. “Wireless was below expectations in the first quarter, but we are on track now.”
