Search

The article reports on the rebranding campaign of Qwest Communications International which aims for a shift from being a traditional telecommunications company to being a broadband provider. The advertising campaign highlights the Internet services offered by Qwest, reflecting its increased emphasis on high-speed Internet service. According to Qwest marketing executive Todd Townsend, the purpose of the campaign is to draw out the humor that can be found in some customer situations like a computer crash.

The article reports on the plan of Qwest Communications International Inc. to cut 1,200 jobs due to a 93% drop in its third-quarter net income for 2008 caused by accelerating land-line losses and the weak economy. It is said that 3% of the work force will be affected by the job cuts and will be across all aspects of the business.

The article focuses on the lawsuit filed by two customers, namely, Robin Vernon and Rory Durkin against telecommunications provider Qwest Communications International Inc., claiming the company implemented early-termination fees of $200 on the Internet subscribers. The suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington sheds light on the issue of cancellation fees which lock in customers and discourage competition. Further details on the lawsuit are provided.

The article reports on a contract agreement reached by Qwest Communications International Inc. and its labor union where the major issue involved was health care in 2008. The new contract raises health care costs for employees and retirees though the union managed to obtain increases in wage and retirement pension. The stake for the contract is high for both parties as Qwest will provide the voice and data for both the Democratic and Republican conventions while the union did not want to be perceived as derailing the conventions.

The article announces that Qwest Communications International Inc. holds off a planned strike by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The two entities agreed to extend negotiations until August 17, 2008. Qwest and CWA have reportedly been negotiating since July 8 and according to Qwest, negotiations on healthcare and wage concerns remain stalled.

The article reports on the talks between Qwest Communications International Inc. and its workers' union which have been pushing to keep health care costs down in 2008. Verizon agreed to the health care terms of its employees but the position of Qwest is different from Verizon as it lacks wireless arm to offset losses in its landline and direct satellite link. Qwest is expecting full revenue to decline 2.5% while its labor agreement is set to expire on August 24, 2008.

The article reports on the decline in profit posted by Qwest Communications International in the second quarter of 2008. The 24% drop in profit reported by the telecommunications company was attributed to land-line losses and market-share declines in its broadband unit. The firm posted net income of $188 million, or 11 cents a share, compared with $246 million, or 30 cents a share, in 2007. Decline in company revenue was reported at 2.3% to $3.38 billion, while it ended the quarter with 12.2 million access lines, down 8.2% from 2007.

The article reports on the 35% decrease in the first-quarter profit of Qwest Communications International Inc. in 2008. Chief financial officer John Richardson states that the objective of the company is to work around the difficult economic environment. The telecommunications firm also presented a new wireless agreement with Verizon Wireless in May 2008.

The article reports on the five-year deal signed by Qwest Communications International Inc. and Verizon Wireless. Under the deal, Qwest will sell the services of Verizon come summer of 2009. Qwest remains as the only regional phone company that do not have its own wireless service. It mentions that a previous deal with Sprint Nextel Corp. that expires in February was unpopular for Qwest.