Qwest to combine local, long distance

QWEST TO COMBINE LOCAL, LONG DISTANCE
[SOURCE: Reuters]
Qwest Communications said an order published by the Federal Communications Commission late Tuesday means it can cut costs by combining local and long-distance telephone services. Qwest spokesman Nick Sweers said the FCC decided that the regional telephone company would no longer have to offer local and long-distance services through separate entities.
http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/21/technology/bc.qwest.fcc.reut/index.htm?postversion=2007022107

* FCC Order: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-12A1.doc

* Copps & Adelstein Joint Statement: "we remain concerned that the Commission has not completed its industry-wide review of these issues and does not have in place a comprehensive mechanism for monitoring changes in the marketplace (e.g., in the long distance, wireless, and access markets) that would enable the Commission to reliably make decisions in this area."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-12A2.doc