U S West came aboard in late 1993, paying $2.5 billion for 25 percent of the company.

U S West took a similar $590 million charge.

U S West plans a public offering of its cellular business.

U S West, in effect, will begin keeping two sets of books.

U S West, on the other hand, is expanding its information services program.

U S West has been in the forefront of efforts to work with the cable companies.

U S West had sought a national presence, but found the effort too costly.

"U S West could have hidden behind legal issues if it wanted to."

U S West will cut 9,000 employees and take $3.8 billion in accounting charges.

U S West said it was not disappointed by the market reaction.