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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
DENVER -- Qwest Communications is once again offering long-distance phone service within its Western region.
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.
Additional Resources:
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.
Additional Resources:
-
10-10PhoneRates.com
LowerMyBills.com
MyRatePlan.com
Qwest
Office of Consumer Counsel tips (PDF File)
Previous Stories:
- October 25, 2002: Qwest Fined $20 Million For 'Slamming'
- October 2, 2002: Getting Mysterious Charges On Your Phone Bill?
- July 11, 2002: Sizzling Savings: Ever Thought Of A Prepaid Cell Phone?
- July 9, 2002: Sizzling Savings: Get Phone Plan Matching Your Needs
- April 16, 2002: MCI Offers Customer Flat Rate For All Calls
- March 25, 2002: Phone Slamming Illegal But Not Uncommon
- March 14, 2002: Get Help Finding Perfect Cell Phone Plan
- March 7, 2002: AT&T Accused Of Charging Too Much Tax
- January 21, 2002: Paying Too Much For Long Distance?
- October 17, 2001: Qwest's Plans To Charge For Non-Listing Blocked
- August 7, 2001: Call 7: Lower My Bills
- May 14, 2001: Qwest Raising Pay Phone Rates Again
- May 2, 2001: Qwest Ordered To Refund $11.2 Million
- April 17, 2001: Local Telephone Service Threatened In Northern Subdivisions
- January 17, 2001: Avoid Extra Telephone Charges
Copyright 2003 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
