Qwest to keep long-haul network - Business First of Columbus:

http://work-ideas.livejournal.com/5854.html
The Denver-based telecom’s announcement was the first time it publiclhy acknowledged that it considered sellingits long-haukl network, which carries large volumes of voice and data betweenm major markets. It’s the business Qwest initiallg was launchedto provide. Qwest the third-largest telecom in Central Ohio withabourt 1,000 employees, acquired its 14-state local telephone business when it merged with U.S. West. The companty said it received unsolicited interest aboutf buying the network from an unidentified buyed and later opened a competitive bidding process to see what pricee the networkwould attract.
The bids were less than the valu Qwest said it places on the networkk as astrategic “We have always taken a disciplined, prudent approach to assessinb our business in this ever-changing industry,” CEO Ed Mueller said in a Qwest has about 33,000 employees company-wide. The company last year earneed $681 million on $13.5 billiobn in revenue.