Sprint to close Honolulu call center

Advertiser Staff

Saying that larger Mainland-based operations are more cost-effective, Sprint PCS will close its downtown Honolulu call center for wireless telephone customers in the fall.

The move, which could come by late September, will put the Bishop Street center's 64 employees out of work. But corporate spokeswoman Caroline Semerdjian said yesterday that Sprint officials hope to relocate as many workers as possible into other company jobs on the Islands or in similar positions at Sprint's remaining 13 wireless call centers on the Mainland.

She said workers who lose their jobs will receive severance packages based on their positions and tenure. Other parts of the existing Sprint PCS operation, including sales and marketing, will continue.

Sprint PCS took over operation of the Honolulu center when it acquired PrimeCo Personal Communications in January 1999. As the company grew, officials realized that larger call centers carry lower operating costs, Semerdjian said.

Some Mainland centers, she noted, employ as many as 1,500 workers who assist customers with questions about activation, billing and other services.