Qwest passes on stimulus funds for broadband expansion, citing rules - Denver Business Journal:

Qwest Communications International Inc. won’t apply for the first round of a $7.2 billion federal stimulus program expanding the reach of high-speed Internet because participating under its current rules doesn’t make financial sense, the company said.

The federal government’s National Telecommunications Information Administration and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Rural Utilities Service are dispersing $4 billion in loans and grants in a first round of funding for which the application deadline is Aug. 14...