U S West To Sell 500,000 Customer Lines

U S West Communication plans to sell 500,000 customer lines in its 14-state service territory, including eight exchanges near Lewiston.

Executive Vice President Betsy Bernard said information regarding the properties will be sent to potential buyers in coming weeks.

“We will be looking at companies that have the financial and operational ability to provide high-quality telecommunications services,” Bernard said in a statement.

Customers whom U S West will continue to serve will benefit from the added investment revenues the sale will make possible, she added.

Lehman Brothers will advise the company on the sales.

The Idaho exchanges affected serve Cottonwood, Craigmont, Kamiah, Kooskia, Lapwai, Lewiston/ Clarkston and Nez Perce.

Spokesman Mark Usellis said the company also is assessing the advisability of selling increasing investment in its Washington properties.

When the results of that review are clear, the company will determine what, if anything, it will sell, he said.

U S West has consistently complained about the regulatory environment in Washington, where rates are among the lowest in the nation.