Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

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

To: PaperChase who wrote (5086)	9/17/1999 8:37:00 AM
From: Scotsman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

The only thing I grouse about is that we didn't get FRO along with USW. That would have put GBLX out of the game. But since we own 9.5% of it, I guess its OK.

To: PaperChase who wrote (5086)	9/18/1999 1:52:00 AM
From: RTev	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

I really don't understand the synergy between QWST and US West on the residential side. So US West will use QWST as a backbone for bandwidth. I think it gives them the ability to offer the bundled services that will become even more important in a competitive local market. It doesn't work until they've opened their local exchanges to competition (something USW has been notoriously slow at doing), but once that happens, QWST (combined with USW) will be able to offer long distance as a near zero-cost component of a package that includes broadband internet access (using Qwest's backbone instead of WCOM's as USW does now), local phone services with an array of extra (and extra-cost) services, and integrated PCS wireless service. A USW test in Phoenix even indicates that they're getting back into video services, but using their copper wires this time instead of the coax they used with the UMG cable properties.

To: PaperChase who wrote (5086)	9/19/1999 1:51:00 PM
From: Harry J.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

PaperChase - Rtev and some others already commented somewhat on your questions about how USW and QWST "fit". For a description of the larger issues facing QWST/USW see today's (Sunday, 19 Sep) Washington Post's Business section. It has an article discussing "How Much Room in the Fat Pipe?" Go to: www.washingtonpost.com and click on the "Business" button; the title should be visible. OR search for John Schwartz who wrote it. The article quotes Solomon Trujillo, ". . . chief executive of US West . . . [as saying,] 'Consumers are going to be able to fundamentally change their lifestyles' with services that consolidate voice, video and data services with the ease of use of today's telephone . . ." The article discusses the technical competition between cable and copper line (telephone twisted pair) as well as the provider competition between the various telecommunications companies. Thus, it addresses some of the questions you and others ave raised about the why and wherefor of this acquisition. Regards, Harry