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

To: Scotsman who wrote (2917)	2/11/1999 2:33:00 PM
From: RTev	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

I could easily see them saying something like " for 25 dollars per month you get unlimited access to our network for your internet, and unlimited long distance calls." I agree that's coming, but Qwest doesn't seem to have much reason to do anything that would drive the other telcos out of business. After all, they make money from the sale or lease of their pipes to those companies, no? The other problem, of course, is the "last mile". T seems to be heading quickly to the one-price package model, but their advantage in this is that they'll be able to say (once they get the expensive technology in place): "For $x.xx, you can get long-distance and local calls, internet, and cable TV using our wire that is already in your house." But then again, they might end up having to lease capacity from Qwest to do it all.

To: Scotsman who wrote (2917)	2/11/1999 5:05:00 PM
From: PDL	Respond to of 6846

Flat rate makes alot of sense, if it can be sustained, but there is almost always a flaw in the model. Note AT&T offers flat-rate internet up to something like 150 hours a month at which they start charging an incremental $1/hr. Maybe AOL has a similar trigger point (I don't know). This is because even with huge scale and "the average user" falling into some reasonable volume level, the people that would stay on 24 X 7 can still really cost you (tying up switches, ports, etc.). Also remember that QWST has to contend with the "first mile" providers (the RBOCs) and the need for access fees at least currently for voice (online services and the internet have thankfully been spared this relic from the "good old days" of Ma Bell). I think the thing we should take comfort in is the fact that QWST will have a high capacity, nationwide network that will truly be the low cost operator of high speed/high bandwith data and voice communications. However it gets parcelled out and bundled, it should be a winner for the company, strategic allies (key customers), and most importantly investors.

To: Scotsman who wrote (2917)	2/11/1999 11:26:00 PM
From: Digitom	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6846

<< I see that Qwest has announced their newest offering "Qhome." >> If you transfer your LD service to QWST, your internet service will be 14.95/mo. for unlimited service. I subscribed last week, downloaded their software and then found that, as of now they have only 2 access numbers in the state of MO.(1 in KC, 1 in StL). So I had to turn around and cancel service, their proprietary software bled all over my hard drive. I must say that it was very user friendly, and very easy to establish service, but better make sure of the access points BEFORE signing up, because backing out of the software is messy!