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Technology Stocks : Qwest Communications (Q) (formerly QWST) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Roger Hess who wrote (4914)	8/13/1999 7:56:00 PM
From: MangoBoy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

[U S West to start test for long-distance approval] DENVER, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Local telephone company U S West Inc. on Friday said it plans to help carry out an areawide uniform test of its computer operating support system, a requirement for approval to offer long-distance service. The company has begun discussions with representatives of the Regional Oversight Committee to jointly develop a process that speeds long-distance approval for U S WEST to offer long-distance service. Under the 1996 Telecommunications Act, the Baby Bells must open their local markets to competitors before they can enter the long-distance business in their home territories. About U S West. The tests, performed by independent parties, are designed to show that the former Baby Bells' systems can accommodate local competition. A report of a successful test results then goes before public service commissions of the individual states. Only after that step can the telephone company apply to the Federal Communications Commission for permission to offer long-distance service. A company representative said Arizona is the only one of the 14 states U S West serves that not covered under the uniform test modeled after the test performed in Texas on SBC Communication Inc.'s system. U S West has been trying to speed up its entry into the long-distance service market since the beginning of the summer when it announced ti would merge with Qwest Communications International Inc. As part of that agreement, Qwest must divest its long-distance operations in U S West's 14-state territory to comply with the Telecommunications Act.