Qwest loses Nebraska PSC lawsuit

A U.S District Court Judge ruled against Qwest Communications in a lawsuit the telco had filed disputing an earlier ruling by the Nebraska Public Service Commission to force Qwest to charge its competitors cost-based network access fees. The judge ruled that the current cost-based fee system should remain in place--Qwest had sought freedom from the PSC to charge higher rates to companies such as Cox Communications.

Cox said the judge's ruling could bring the two companies closer to finishing a new operating agreement, but it also remains unclear whether or not Qwest may appeal this latest ruling.

For more:
- BusinessWeek has this Associated Press story

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