WI - Qwest admits second glitch in computerized phone bills Steve Alexander Star Tribune Thursday, July 26, 2001

The second computerized billing glitch in a week at Qwest Communications has resulted in about 250 wireless phone customers being billed for an Internet service they didn't want.

The error follows last weekend's overbilling of 14,000 Qwest wireless customers in 12 states for tens of thousands of dollars each.

Qwest initially said that 8,000 wireless phone customers in 12 states were affected by the latest error but later lowered its estimate to 250.

Affected customers were billed for Qwest's wireless Internet access service, called "Browse Now," even though they had not requested it.

Bryce Hallowell, a Qwest spokesman, said most of the affected customers were billed an extra $8 a month for the past two months. But Jeannie Burlowski of Lino Lakes said she was billed nearly three times that much. Hallowell said the incorrectly billed amounts will be credited on the next month's bill. Customers with questions can call 1-800-879-0611.

Hallowell said the error occurred because Qwest's provisioning computer system, which activates services for customers, was out of synchronization with its computerized billing system. The problem is expected to be fixed in a few days.

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-- Anonymous, July 26, 2001