Qwest Signs Deals to Open Phone Lines to ISPs

Qwest Communications International Inc., which bought local-phone company US West Inc. last year, signed agreements to open phone lines in 14 Western states to four providers of high-speed Internet service. Those companies include Contact Communications, Multiband Communications Inc., New Edge Networks Inc. and NorthPoint Communications Inc. The agreements replace interim contracts Denver-based Qwest signed with the companies in April. Qwest, which sells phone, data and Internet services, gained more than 25 million customers and a 14-state regional phone network when it acquired US West for $44 billion.