Qwest Communications shops for wireless partner

DENVER (AP) — Qwest Communications said Monday it is shopping for a wireless cell phone partner that could help position the telecommunications company to offer a bundled package of integrated services.

The new contract could be with Qwest's current wireless partner, Sprint Corp., or with another carrier as long as bundled products can be integrated seamlessly, Chief Executive Officer Ed Mueller told analysts.

Denver-based Qwest, the primary telephone service provider in 14 mostly Western states and a nationwide fiber optics network operator, resells wireless service from Sprint branded with the Qwest name. The company had about 824,000 wireless subscribers at the end of December.

Qwest is looking for a wireless service partner that could be similar to its partnership with DirecTV satellite television service. While Qwest sells the service, the equipment is installed and handled by DirecTV.