Qwest revisits video franchising with lawmakers

Denver Capital building

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The proposal by Qwest for statewide franchising for video services is not necessarily a good move for consumers unless communities have options to ensure their broadband future.  By simplifying the franchising process, Qwest/CenturyLink and others can easily re-enter the video market in Colorado without negotiating with every city they want to provide service; thereby, allowing competitors to satellite and cable TV companies.  I personally welcome Qwest’s re-entrance into the market.  Local franchise negotiations are often fraught with requests for community TV stations and equipment, free or reduced charges to schools and other institutions, municipal network access, and that pesky universal service requirement.

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Telecom players predict more mergers

On the heels of the blockbuster Qwest-CenturyTel merger announced last month, the telecommunications industry may be poised for further consolidation.

The next wave could stretch beyond traditional phone companies to fiber-optic-network operators such as Broomfield’s Level 3 Communications, slated to become the largest Colorado-based telco with Qwest’s pending departure.

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Qwest Deal Is One of CenturyTel Chief’s Riskiest Moves

By SPENCER E. ANTE And JOANN S. LUBLIN

Glen F. Post III just bagged his biggest duck.

The experienced hunter and little-known chief executive of CenturyTel Inc., a rural phone company based in Monroe, La., agreed Thursday to acquire Denver-based telecom giant Qwest Communications International Inc. in a $10.6 billion all-stock transaction.

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Qwest Merger Prompts Concern

Kirk Siegler (2010-04-22)
DENVER, CO (KUNC) – Colorado political and business leaders worry the looming merger of Qwest Communications with Louisiana-based CenturyLink will be bad news for the state’s economy. Governor Bill Ritter, senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet are expressing concerns about what the merger could mean for expanding broadband access to rural areas. And as KUNC’s Kirk Siegler reports, economists predict they’re could be a sizable trickle-down effect once the headquarters is moved. © Copyright 2010, KUNC