WASHINGTON -- Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it voted to approve Qwest’s multi-state application to provide in-region, interLATA service originating in the following nine states: Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Approval of Qwest’s multi-state application promises benefits to consumers by making increased competition in all markets for telecommunications services possible. Qwest stated in its application that competing carriers serve approximately 23% of all lines in Colorado, 11% of all lines in Idaho, 18% of all lines in Iowa, 6% of all lines in Montana, 32% of all lines in Nebraska, 22% of all lines in North Dakota, 23% of all lines in Utah, 19% of all lines in Washington, and 12% of all lines in Wyoming. With the FCC’s approval of Qwest’s nine state application, about 75% of Bell Operating Company (BOC) lines have been approved for in-region, interLATA service.Qwest Communications International Inc.