Qwest Communications International said that it will make its high-speed digital subscriber line Internet service available to 1.3 million more homes by the end of the year.

New technology being installed in 11 western states in its 14-state local phone service territory will let Qwest more than double the number of miles customers can live from a central office before they can receive DSL service.

Only customers within about three miles of a neighborhood central office could access Qwest DSL before, said Augie Cruciotti, executive vice president of Qwest local markets.

The expanded offerings will be phased in over two years in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The company said that more than 6 million customers should be able to receive its DSL service by the end of 2002.

The phone company reported 306,000 DSL customers in the first quarter and hopes to have 500,000 by the end of the year.

The new program was aimed at expanding offerings in major metropolitan areas, some smaller communities and areas that never had Qwest DSL service, the company said in a news release.

Qwest is preparing to re-offer long distance phone service in the 14-state territory of the former U S West, which it acquired last year. Expanded DSL offerings would help Qwest toward its goal of offering bundled services, such as phone and Internet service together.