Qwest Communications has been quietly offering video service in three markets. They were recently granted a franchise to deliver video service in its largest market to date: Salt Lake City.

Local cable provider Comcast Corp. took exception to a provision that doesn't require Qwest to build out service citywide unless it reaches 51% penetration.

Qwest currently offers video service in the denver suburb of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and parts of Phoenix and Omaha, Neb., using very high-speed digital-subscriber-line technology (VDSL). It also uses fiber-to-the-home architecture in Lone Tree, Colo., and South Jordan, Utah.

And the telco is in negotiations with the Greater Metro Telecommunications Consortium -- which represents 30 communities, including Denver -- for a cable franchise.