Qwest to offer DSL without voice, national mobile Reuters, 02.25.04, 1:22 AM ET
NEW YORK, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Qwest Communications International Inc. (nyse: Q - news - people) will reveal plans on Wednesday to become the first major U.S. telephone company offering broadband Internet separately from traditional phone services in a bid to hang onto customers in a cutthroat market.
The fourth biggest U.S. local telephone company and the dominant provider in 14 states from Minnesota to Washington also plans to launch flat-rate nationwide mobile phone services, using Sprint PCS's (nyse: PCS - news - people) network next Monday.
Qwest and bigger rivals such as Verizon Communications (nyse: VZ - news - people) have been trying to expand their product lines amid growing competition as local, long-distance and wireless companies battle it out in each other's markets with new packages of service, discounts and heavy advertising.
Qwest, which faces a lingering accounting probe by federal regulators, reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss last Thursday as local telephone sales dropped.
From Saturday Qwest customers will not need to pay the company's monthly telephone service fees of $14.95 if they only want to subscribe to its broadband or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) customers in a service it nicknamed "Naked DSL".
Local phone providers such as Verizon require DSL customers to also subscribe to at least basic telephone services.
"We're in a competitive situation in all our markets," said spokesman Tyler Gronbach, noting that Qwest is losing local phone line sales as some customers prefer to have just a cellphone or others favor cheaply priced Internet telephone services.
"If we can keep a customer by giving them a broadband service that's what its all about," he said.
The company, which also runs a wireless phone service in its 14 operating states, plans to move local consumer and business clients to Sprint's mobile network in these states.
It will let these customers roam onto Sprint's national network outside of its states for a flat fee and will offer them Sprint's fast wireless data services in a month's time.
Was called into my bosses office recently asking me if I was "happy" with my current job. Had a few issues to talk to him about already, but come to find out, HR had found my resume on Monster and emailed it directly to my manager. Monster's blocking software either was not that effective for current employees OR my HR had actually used a different login to find me. (Sneaky bastards..).
... we drive our own children out of the Church forever
Amen. The prime reason I am no longer a practicing Catholic. Man, what an "Ask Slashdot" question that would be. "How do you balance Science with Religion".
Slashdot Mirror
As Forbes is now crying:
Qwest to offer DSL without voice, national mobile
Reuters, 02.25.04, 1:22 AM ET
NEW YORK, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Qwest Communications International Inc. (nyse: Q - news - people) will reveal plans on Wednesday to become the first major U.S. telephone company offering broadband Internet separately from traditional phone services in a bid to hang onto customers in a cutthroat market.
The fourth biggest U.S. local telephone company and the dominant provider in 14 states from Minnesota to Washington also plans to launch flat-rate nationwide mobile phone services, using Sprint PCS's (nyse: PCS - news - people) network next Monday.
Qwest and bigger rivals such as Verizon Communications (nyse: VZ - news - people) have been trying to expand their product lines amid growing competition as local, long-distance and wireless companies battle it out in each other's markets with new packages of service, discounts and heavy advertising.
Qwest, which faces a lingering accounting probe by federal regulators, reported a wider-than-expected quarterly loss last Thursday as local telephone sales dropped.
From Saturday Qwest customers will not need to pay the company's monthly telephone service fees of $14.95 if they only want to subscribe to its broadband or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) customers in a service it nicknamed "Naked DSL".
Local phone providers such as Verizon require DSL customers to also subscribe to at least basic telephone services.
"We're in a competitive situation in all our markets," said spokesman Tyler Gronbach, noting that Qwest is losing local phone line sales as some customers prefer to have just a cellphone or others favor cheaply priced Internet telephone services.
"If we can keep a customer by giving them a broadband service that's what its all about," he said.
The company, which also runs a wireless phone service in its 14 operating states, plans to move local consumer and business clients to Sprint's mobile network in these states.
It will let these customers roam onto Sprint's national network outside of its states for a flat fee and will offer them Sprint's fast wireless data services in a month's time.
Copyright 2004, Reuters News Service
lover the ranking...
Wouldn't that get a bit messy? Personally, I would lower the ranking, but that's just my opinion. To each their own.
(Score -1, Old Klingon Joke)
Obligatory: You must be new around here.
Dude, check out my light harddrive.
..Opens case, goes blind and loses content of computer
Good GOD man, they should write an X-File episode on you.
Was called into my bosses office recently asking me if I was "happy" with my current job. Had a few issues to talk to him about already, but come to find out, HR had found my resume on Monster and emailed it directly to my manager. Monster's blocking software either was not that effective for current employees OR my HR had actually used a different login to find me. (Sneaky bastards..).
Hope I never have to code review any of your work.
for something they don't own/have.
*COUGH* Sco *COUGH*
Don't expect Lucas to welcome you onto his ranch.
Show up with a Dark Maul outfit.
Right, Hardcore Jenny Craig== Someone follows you around with a 9mm.
That was informative? Huh.
Okay, I now know the guy, that knew the guy who created Finnix.
Who pissed in your Wheaties?
want to live on Endor
Wrrrraaaaahhh Rowwwww Rowwwwwwwwwwww
Translation: Ewok lovin.
It's more like the WWF..
C'mon Professor, you know you want to see an MTV DeathMatch between Linus and McBride! Admit it!
Sorry, was spur of the moment. Meant, "Modded down to hell". Just couldn't think with the "Speed Racer" jingle playing in my head.
can't resist urge.
Go SPEED Racer! Go Speed Racer!
I was drawing at more of a person's job in science field and their personal beliefs. How they meet or clash.
... we drive our own children out of the Church forever
Amen. The prime reason I am no longer a practicing Catholic. Man, what an "Ask Slashdot" question that would be. "How do you balance Science with Religion".
Lets do the math shall we?
$10,000 right now versus yearly amount of cyrogenic freezer rent till Sun envelopes the earth. Carry the two..Right now sounds good.
I wonder how many have been saved since.
True, but it still does not have Folding Two years and counting.
"doesn't have a personality "
Be careful...this is also true of alot of people reading Slashdot.
Meowww. (A black cat walks backwards across the screen).
Coming soon: The Adventures of Clippy the Paper Clip.