Sprint to rely more on roaming in Oklahoma, Kansas

Sprint is changing its mobile network coverage in Oklahoma and Kansas, relying more on roaming to cut costs, a company spokesman said Monday.

Network coverage will focus on major metropolitan areas and along interstates, leaving swathes of western Oklahoma reliant on roaming through other carriers’ networks. The changes are effective March 1.

Most customers’ plans already include roaming and they aren’t likely to incur extra charges.

“A lot of customers won’t even notice any difference in call quality or changes on their bill,” said Tom Cook, a Sprint spokesman.

The move is a cost-cutting measure for Sprint, which has been selling more smartphones and seeing its customers using more data, Cook said.

Sprint devices indicate roaming with a triangle or “R” icon. While roaming, customers may experience a slower overall data speed and may be unable to access some voice and data services, such as “Sprint Mobile to Mobile” and “Any Mobile, Anytime.”

Cook said cellphone plans older than 2005 may not include roaming.