The AP reported last month that Qwest's 4Q profits were up 89%.  It's comforting to see this reward for Qwest, one of the last tier-one carriers truly focused on simply doing business rather than digesting acquisitions or positioning to be acquired.  A big part of me wonders how much the Qwest channel integration program drives this type of performance.

Meanwhile, across town, Level3's cofounder resigned, amid their continuing difficulties dealing with their rash of acquisitions and the provisioning and customer service issues they created.  Here's to hoping they pull through — we've thrown plenty of business at them, but nothing seems to stick.