Qwest inks hosting deal with eBay

Qwest Communications International said Thursday that it has signed a multiyear agreement to provide eBay with Web hosting services. The deal is part of eBay's "continuing strategy to diversify its Web hosting functions," Qwest said in a statement Thursday. In late March, eBay signed an agreement with Intel for similar services and has listed Exodus and Sprint as other hosting providers. eBay will use a Qwest CyberCenter in Sunnyvale, Calif., to provide the hosting for the auction site's network of some 46 million registered members. Diversification is critical considering the plight of other telecom companies like WorldCom, which is having a difficult time keeping the faith of analysts and investors after the departure of Chief Executive Bernard Ebbers. Qwest has been under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission for its accounting practices. --Tiffany Kary, Special to ZDNet News