SPOTLIGHT: Qwest drops case against Oregon cities

Qwest dropped a federal court appeal challenging the way some Oregon cities regulate right-of-way for phone companies. The decision was announced Friday, ending an eight-year legal battle over how cities issue permits and regulate construction.

Qwest officials said they have decided to work out agreements on a case-by-case basis with individual cities. The cities sued Qwest in 2001 when the company refused to pay Portland and 80 other Oregon cities franchise fees for the use of city streets.

For more:
- AP through OregonLive.com report.

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