VI. Other Investigations

The Commission is not the only jurisdiction to investigate Qwest. During 1999 and 2000, the FCC and other states have also investigated Qwest for, among other things, slamming and cramming complaints.

On October 15, 1999, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability to Qwest International for alleged violations of the FCC's slamming rules. The action was based on 30 consumer complaints that Qwest International and LCIT switched long distance carriers without consumer authorization. Many of these complaints involved falsified letters of authorization. In July 2000, Qwest International settled by making a voluntary payment of $1.5 million.

The following states have also investigated Qwest, primarily for slamming allegations: Florida, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Minnesota, Idaho, Connecticut, Washington, Kansas, and Arizona.⁸ In these cases, Qwest either settled or was directed to take remedial measures to cure the slamming problems, and was assessed monetary penalties or negotiated settlements ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.