Qwest and Sprint shore up their defences

NEWS Qwest and Sprint, two prominent US telcos, have both taken measures to guarantee their long-term viability. Qwest, a local as well as a long-distance carrier since buying US West, is in talks with creditors to make sure its current loans are sufficient. Meanwhile Sprint, a long-distance carrier also known for its Sprint PCS mobile business, has borrowed an additional $1bn via its directory publishing business. Last month cut backs at both companies are thought to have hit sales at optical equipment vendor Ciena.