Qwest Email Usage Restrictions

Qwest offers its subscribers multiple free email accounts with every Internet package. However, only 11 distinct email addresses can be created. The company does not publish options for ordering more, but business-class services are given the flexibility to add accounts to hosted POP3 or Microsoft Exchange email services. Additional emails, in that instance, bring an added monthly cost.

Email addresses and websites hosted by Qwest are prohibited from using their account to send or display content deemed questionable by the provider's Acceptable Usage Policy (AUP). Emails that advertise fraudulent or misleading services are not allowed to be sent through the Qwest network. Furthermore, messages, such as computer viruses, that could be damaging to Qwest or other networks are not allowed. Qwest email may also not be used to distribute intellectually protected content unless the email account owner is also the owner of the protected content. Finally, Qwest does not want email inboxes to be used solely for the purposes of storing data.

Unsolicited emails, commonly known as "spam," cannot be sent using Qwest's services. But Qwest goes beyond simply denying users from sending large amounts of unsolicited emails. It also prohibits any message with forged TCP/IP packet header information, a trick often used by bulk email senders to make their messages seem more legitimate to other email systems.

Any violations of the AUP, including the questionable content and bulk email provisions, can result in a number of penalties. Qwest will try to work with customers who are in violation of the AUP in order to remedy the cited violations. If the customer does not return contact or he continues to openly violate the AUP, Qwest can suspend or even terminate the email and Internet services. Qwest also will work with local authorities on matters of an illegal nature and may seek damages from customers whose email use has affected Qwest networks.