Qwest wants to shed U.S. regulations

Qwest Communications is seeking to extricate itself from federal regulations designed to increase competition in the telephone industry, saying the rules are no longer needed. But competing telephone companies oppose the move, saying the industry is not yet competitive enough to justify such deregulation. The move, if approved by the Federal Communications Commission, would cause some telephone providers to reduce service or end service because they would no longer be able to compete with Qwest, they say. The issue centers on provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, designed to bring competition to an industry then dominated by regulated monopolies such as Qwest. The law required Qwest and other incumbent carriers to lease equipment in their systems -- lines and switches -- to competitors at wholesale rates so the competitors could provide service at comparable retail prices. In a petition filed with the FCC, Qwest said it should no longer be required to do that because there is plenty of competition residential and business phone customers.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/114605

Qwest 'blowing smoke,' rivals say
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/apr/22/qwest-blowing-smoke-ri...