Qwest announced recently that it is now the first communications provider in the U.S. to collaborate with Microsoft to offer Qwest Broadband with Windows Live services, a new customizable and intuitive way for customers to enhance their online experiences.

Windows Live contains tools that the companies say will keep customers better informed, connected and protected online. The service, which is available exclusively to new and current residential Qwest Broadband customers, brings customers' online worlds together—in one place, through one interface—and offers the tools to stay connected, plus powerful protection features.

"With the launch of Windows Live, there's never been a better time to be a Qwest Broadband customer," said Dan Yost, Qwest executive vice president of product. "Qwest and Microsoft have worked to bring the best Internet experience possible to customers. With Windows Live from Qwest, Qwest Broadband customers get the information they need, tools to stay connected with the people they care about and powerful protection features—in one easy-to-use platform."

"Microsoft is pleased to have teamed up with Qwest to make customers' online experiences even better," said Steve Berkowitz, senior vice president of the Online Services Group at Microsoft Corp. "Windows Live from Qwest brings the Internet to life for customers with customizable, intuitive and cool features, backed by the strength of the Qwest network and Microsoft design."

Qwest and Microsoft have jointly built Windows Live from Qwest to be the foundation for Qwest's future voice and data convergence.

Windows Live from Qwest is included at no additional charge for new residential Qwest Broadband customers who choose Microsoft as their ISP and whose computers run on the Windows Vista or Windows XP service pack 2 operating systems. Existing residential Qwest Broadband customers may upgrade at no additional charge from MSN® Premium to Windows Live from Qwest.

Read more about Qwest Broadband or find Qwest Broadband plans and prices available in your area.

Qwest recently announced a proposal that it says would expand the nation's access to high-speed Internet service, while initiating reform of the massive federal telecommunications subsidy known as the Universal Service Fund (USF).

In its proposal to the Federal Communications Commission, Qwest recommended the creation of a program managed by state public utilities commissions for deploying broadband services to Americans in rural areas who lack access to those services today.

"It's been widely acknowledged that every American needs access to broadband but that goal still has not been achieved,"said Steve Davis, Qwest senior vice president of public policy. "Qwest's proposal provides meaningful strides toward the day when high-speed Internet services are available at reasonable prices to all Americans."

Under the proposal, funding for widespread broadband deployment would come from cost savings realized by a change in the wireless telephone subsidy formula to a per-household basis rather than per-user, which is the current practice. The new formula would reduce the cost of that portion of the USF, which currently is $1 billion, by $500 million annually.

"Qwest is proposing a workable, common-sense solution to reform the USF to reduce waste and redirect outdated subsidies," Davis said.

The USF is funded by a surcharge on the bill of every U.S. customer that uses telecommunications services. The surcharge was recently set at nearly 12 percent of the total cost of those services the customer uses.

For more on the proposal, check out the Qwest press release.

Qwest Communications this week announced updates to its high-speed Internet service. The company says the updates are designed to enhance residential customers' online experiences and make them simpler and more intuitive.

Qwest now offers Qwest Broadband customers a new, single-letter e-mail domain: q.com. Because q.com is a new and not crowded domain space, it offers customers a fresh opportunity to create personalized e-mail addresses. Qwest is the only communications provider to offer a single-letter domain, and it is available to both new and existing Qwest Broadband with MSN Premium customers.

The q.com domain will operate from the new Qwest Mail by Windows Live platform. Qwest Mail by Windows Live contains new features that the company says will make it easier for customers to use e-mail, with up to 11 e-mail accounts, 2GB of storage, a reading pane that lets allows users to read their mail without leaving their inboxes, drag and drop functionality, advanced spam filtering and notification and AutoComplete population of addresses from their address books. Customers who switch to a q.com e-mail address will be able to transfer their e-mail account data, move their address books and notify their friends of their new e-mail addresses.

In addition, Qwest has renamed its high-speed Internet service "Qwest Broadband" and has renamed its broadband service product names "Qwest Connect." The name changes align more closely with Qwest's broadband service and features and resonate more strongly with customers.

"Qwest customers say Qwest Broadband delivers the speed they need, and now Qwest offers them an even better online experience," said Travis Leo, Qwest director of product management.

Qwest is also the first telecommunications provider in the U.S. to partner with Microsoft to offer Windows Live. Windows Live will include OneCare, which will provide customers one suite of services to protect and maintain their PCs. OneCare will give customers comprehensive anti-virus, anti-spyware and PC health—all in one place.

Windows Live Services by Qwest will also offer a super-fast Web search built into the browser that includes maps, directions and even images and video. And, customers can customize their new home page with the information they want.

"Qwest Broadband customers will stay better protected, connected and informed in simpler, more intuitive ways with new features like the q.com domain and the upcoming availability of Windows Live," said Leo. "The new Qwest Broadband features are just a few of the many new things designed to make the most of the Internet for customers."

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