Qwest Communications restates nearly $1 billion in revenue stemming from fiber-optic sales

<br>DENVER (AP) _ With government hearings looming this week, Qwest Communications is restating nearly $1 billion in revenue from swaps of capacity on its network _ a practice that has come under scrutiny

Monday, September 23rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) _ With government hearings looming this week, Qwest Communications is restating nearly $1 billion in revenue from swaps of capacity on its network _ a practice that has come under scrutiny by federal regulators.

The $950 million restatement is from so-called swaps, which the Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating to see if they allowed Qwest to artificially boost revenues. Qwest also is the subject of a Department of Justice investigation, and a House committee plans hearings this week.

Investigators say Qwest bought capacity on another company's system and booked it as a capital expense, which is only recorded slowly over several years, while selling the same amount of capacity to the other firm and booking that immediately as revenue.

In a written release Sunday, Qwest said the revenue from capacity swaps was based on accounting policies approved by its previous auditor, Arthur Andersen LLP.

Qwest switched from Andersen to KPMG in May after Andersen was indicted on charges of destroying records related to the former energy trader Enron Corp. Qwest said after analyzing its previous practices and consulting with KPMG, it decided not to recognize the swaps as revenue. Qwest said its analysis also was influenced by discussions in July with SEC officials.

The telecommunications company also said it may have to adjust another $531 million in revenue from cash sales of optical capacity assets to third parties.

Qwest said its accounting for cash sales of optical capacity assets to third parties was also based on policies approved by Andersen.

Two Qwest executives are scheduled to testify about the capacity swaps Tuesday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Former chief executive officer Joe Nacchio is expected to testify in October.