Alcatel Acquiring DSC for $4 Billion

US West Communications Group can’t sell Qwest Communications International Inc.’s long-distance services until the local phone company gets approval from federal regulators, a federal court ruled. The Denver-based Baby Bell and upstart long-distance carrier Qwest can continue to serve customers who have signed up under the joint marketing plan, the U.S. District Court in Seattle said. US West will seek an expedited decision from the Federal Communications Commission in response to the decision. US West and Qwest have signed up more than 130,000 customers since the program started May 7. The plan offers Qwest’s long-distance services to US West’s 25 million local-service customers in 14 states, combining local and long-distance on one bill.