Leading Civic Groups Praise New Study Showing Economic Harm of Qwest Deregulation

Today, leading organizations advocating for minority-owned
small businesses praised a new study showing the potential economic
harm that could befall the United States from an upcoming decision
before the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. The National
Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) and Latinos in Information Sciences
and Technology Association (LISTA) welcomed the new study and urged
federal, state, and local leaders to consider the potential economic
cost of Qwest's forbearance on minority small businesses in the
United States.

The study entitled
An Analysis of Qwest's Petition for Forbearance: A Quantification
of the Impact of Forbearance, shows that, if granted, the "forbearance"
petitions would cost consumers and businesses in the Phoenix, Denver,
Seattle and Minneapolis-St. Paul regions a total of $1.14 billion
annually in higher prices.

The study highlights
how current public policies help ensure that small businesses and
consumers benefit from a robust, competitive telecommunications
marketplace. The widespread gains from competition - lower prices,
investment, and innovation - have helped small business throughout
the United States - and minority small business owners in particular
- to prosper and create jobs.

However, those
benefits are at risk from a series of petitions pending before the
Federal Communications Commission. If granted, competitors serving
smaller businesses could be denied access to customers and possibly
exit the marketplace. If that were to happen, those most harmed
would be the small businesses and consumers who would suffer from
less competition and higher prices.

Jose Marquez,
President and CEO, Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology
Association, commented: "The prospect of consumers and small
businesses facing more than $1.14 billion in higher costs each year
is troubling. Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in America,
and our economic future in the technology field will continue to
be bright if telecommunications services remain accessible, affordable
and competitive. Anything that limits that vision goes against our
goals."

"The United
States has over 1 million black-owned businesses, each of whom benefits
in some fashion from competition in the broadband market,"
said Harry Alford, President & CEO of the National Black Chamber
of Commerce. "While competitive options are growing each day,
there are still too few alternatives to Qwest. We should be promoting
competition, now allowing them to stifle it."

About the groups
National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC):
NBCC (www.nationalbcc.org) is dedicated to economically empowering
and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship
and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction
with the Black Diaspora. NBCC represents 95,000 Black owned businesses
and provides an advocacy that reaches all 1 million Black owned
businesses, including members in Denver, Phoenix, Seattle and Minneapolis/St.Paul.

Latinos
in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA):
LISTA (www.a-lista.org) promotes the utilization of the technology
sectors for the empowerment of the Latino community. We are an organization
that is committed to bringing various elements of Technology under
one central hub to facilitate our partners, members and the community
with the leverage and education they need to succeed in a highly
advanced technologically driven society. LISTA Mission is to educate,
motivate and encourage the use of technology in the Latino community
and empowering them to bridge the digital divide.