Sprint Says On Schedule To Shut Down Portion Of Former U.S. Cellular Network

(RTTNews) - Sprint (S) said it is continuing to notify customers it acquired through the May 2013 transaction with U.S. Cellular that it plans to begin shutting down affected portions of the U.S. Cellular network. The shutdown will take effect for the St. Louis metropolitan area, including parts of Missouri and Illinois, on October 31.

Sprint stated that shutting down the affected portions of the U.S. Cellular network will allow Sprint to reuse the wireless spectrum to enhance service on its Nationwide Sprint Network. Service for affected customers will be interrupted if they do not move their service to Sprint or another carrier before the change.

Sprint noted that it began sending letters to affected customers in June to notify them of the company's plans. To avoid an interruption of their wireless service, affected customers in the St. Louis area need to move their service to Sprint or another carrier before the network is shut down on October 31.

Sprint has previously informed affected U.S. Cellular customers that their existing devices will not work on the Sprint network.

Exclusive offers are available from Sprint to allow U.S. Cellular customers to move their service and receive a new device for the Sprint network, including options available at little or no cost. Similar offers to U.S. Cellular prepaid customers also are available on Boost Mobile.