Richard “Dick” Notebaert may have saved the ship from sinking, but it would take a lot of effort and guts for him to get it moving. Qwest, the former Mountain Bells that was plundered by the Broadbandits, is facing some harsh realities, and things despite Dick’s best efforts don’t look too good, reports The New York Times.

Kevin M. Calabrese, an analyst with Argus Research, said that Mr. Notebaert had done a solid job at adding new streams of revenue, like expanding its high-speed Internet access, or D.S.L., service. But for the company to thrive, Mr. Calabrese said, Mr. Notebaert would have to drive up revenues at a time when all forms of telecommunication – from local and long-distance phone service to data transmission – are becoming cheaper with deregulation and increased competition from upstarts selling Internet-based phone services.

Its a problem facing every single phone company, and it is only a matter of time before others start feeling the heat. Verizon, perhaps is the only operator which has the chops to thrive the second telecom tsunami. A long time ago I predicted that Qwest will be bought and I still think BellSouth will make a play for this company. SBC is out for Dick hates Ed and vice versa.