Qwest 'blowing smoke,' rivals say
By Jeff Smith, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published April 22, 2008 at 7 p.m.
A group of rival telcos on Tuesday called Qwest's claim that wireless competition has cut into its market power as "blowing smoke."
The local-phone competitors filed studies with the Federal Communications Commission that they say proves only about 10 percent of residential customers in key Qwest markets have eliminated their land line. The group opposes Qwest's bid to ease wholesale pricing controls in Denver, Minneapolis, Phoenix and Seattle.
"It appears that a group of our competitors have hired outside consultants to say that black is white," responded Steve Davis, Qwest's senior vice president of policy. "But no matter how many studies they underwrite, it remains indisputable that customers view wireless services, cable telephone services and (Internet telephony) services as competitive alternatives to traditional wireline services. You can't stick your head in the sand and pretend otherwise."
The FCC is scheduled to rule on Qwest's so-called forbearance petitions this summer.
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