Qwest Communications spent $848,313 to lobby in 1Q

The Denver-based phone company focused much of its lobbying on legislation to track and drive the rollout of high-speed Internet access, including measures to bring broadband to rural America, according to an amended disclosure form filed with the House clerk's office on April 21.

Qwest also lobbied on proposals to reform the Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes telephone service in rural and low-income communities through a surcharge on long-distance bills.

In addition, the company lobbied on legislation to make permanent a moratorium on Internet access taxes and network neutrality rules, which would prevent broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain types of Internet traffic.