Local wireline telecommunications provider Embarq, which separated from its parent company Sprint Nextel on May 18, has been using some unconventional means of publicizing its status as a separate company.

Beginning July 21, residential basic telephone rates for customers in many Missouri cities will rise by from $0.93 to $1.26 per month, an AT&T spokesman said.

Qwest announced on Thursday that new customers in six states could receive deep discounts on its Qwest Home Entertainment bundle of telephone, satellite TV and broadband DSL service, with monthly prices as low as $77.97 for 12 months.

BellSouth on Thursday launched a sweepstakes to promote its 411 Nationwide product and is giving away a Pontiac Solstice sports car and subscriptions to FastAccess DSL service.