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

To: Webster Groves who wrote (2177)	9/12/1998 7:49:00 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 6846

Webster, it wasn't until you phrased it the way that you did that I realized how much folly really exists here. US West to levy long distance access charges on internet telephony IPs. Qwest mentioned specifically. Let's see, now... First, USWest cuts a deal with QWST to represent them to its own subscriber base as a sales agent of sorts, getting a piece of the action through some form of commission. And then, USWest levies an access charge on QWST for terminating their traffic. I usually refrain from demonstrating disbelief and chagrin in such a way, but I'm tempted to utter Duh... but, I wont. From an old press release: In May, Qwest entered into marketing agreements with U S WEST (Buyer's Advantage) and Ameritech (CompleteAccess(SM)) where customers in the respective regions would be able to sign up for local phone service packaged with a competitively priced long distance service from Qwest. In the first month after the commercial introduction of US WEST's Buyer's Advantage program, over 130,000 customers in the US WEST region signed up for the service. "We are encouraged by the Commission's recent actions following AT&T's heavy-handed efforts against the Buyer's Advantage and CompleteAccess programs. As a party to these matters, Qwest intends to urge the FCC to rule in favor of customer choice and allow new market entrants to compete with the giant long distance phone companies that currently control over 70% of the market," said Joseph Garrity, senior legal director of Qwest Communications. "These lawsuits are hampering the spirit of competition, protecting an entrenched oligopoly and preventing innovative service providers, like Qwest, from implementing new programs that provide customers with low cost, value-added services for which they have long asked." Regards, Frank Coluccio