SAN FRANCISCO - Qwest Communications International Inc. on Thursday was fined 20.3 million for switching customers’ long-distance telephone service without permission and for adding unauthorized charges on customer bills by the California Public Utilities Commission. Qwest has been ordered to provide refunds for the incidents and institute safeguards to prevent further occurrences, according to a statement released by the CPUC.

Qwest is the No. 4 U.S. local telephone carrier primarily serving the Western United States and also has a large long-distance telephone service outside that area.

(via Reuters)