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Qwest Launches Long-Distance Service

Several Long-Distance Plans Available

POSTED: 11:12 a.m. MST January 7, 2003
UPDATED: 2:00 p.m. MST January 7, 2003

Qwest Communications is once again offering long-distance phone service within its Western region.

Qwest building

Qwest began offering the service again Tuesday. The company is featuring 10-cent-per-minute plans with no monthly fees in eight states.

"This offers simplicity of getting local, wireless, high speed and now long distance on one bill. We know that's what our consumers truly want from our company," said Annette Jacobs, president of Qwest consumer marketing, during a teleconference call. "We see bundled services as being a key advantage for us."

Qwest acquired U.S. West in 2000 and gave up long-distance service in the 14 states where it also offered local phone service.

The Denver-based company had to prove to regulators that those markets were open to competitors before it could resume the service.

Qwest said its new long-distance rates will save the average consumer $70 to $170 per year.

Regulators approved Qwest's applications last month to again offer long distance in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Rate plans announced Tuesday are good in all of those states except Montana. Qwest is waiting for state regulators there to approve prices.

Callers who subscribe to packages, such as those offering caller ID, would get rates of 7 cents a minute for state-to-state calls with no usage minimum or monthly fee.

For callers who spend at least $10 a month on long distance, Qwest offered rates of 5 cents per minute for state-to-state calls.

Both plans charge 10 cents a minute for in-state long-distance calls no matter the time or day of the call, with no minimums and no service fees.

Other plans offered unlimited calling for $34.95 a month, or $30 a month with a Qwest phone service package, and deals for small business customers.

Savvy shoppers can find lower rates elsewhere. The Web sites 10-10PhoneRates.com, LowerMyBills.com, MyRatePlan offers options, and in Colorado, the Office of Consumer Counsel presents tips for shopping around.

Qwest has been under investigation by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice.

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