Qwest To Close Half Its Data Centers

In a statement, the company attempted to assure customers that service would not be interrupted during the transition and that it would continue to support its full Web hosting offering.

Qwest's Web hosting business was once a separate business called Cyber.Solutions, but it was folded back into Qwest in 2002.

The company also said Friday that it intended to file a motion with the U.S. District Court to dismiss a suit by Qwest bondholders to block the company's debt exchange offer.

In an attempt to reduce its debt, Qwest last month offered to exchange about $12.9 billion worth of bonds held by institutions for longer-term debt at a higher rate of return.

The suit filed by bondholders alleges that the offer is insufficient and favors institutional bondholders versus non-institutional ones.

In separate statement, Qwest said the suit had no merit.