Qwest Communications has delayed the launch of its residential voice over IP service, saying it needs to do further testing.

That service will now be launched in all 14 Qwest states "in early 2005," according to a company spokeswoman.

"We need to complete final testing of the product," the spokeswoman said. "Rather than roll out a product that might have problems, we decided to wait until we could be sure of the best possible customer experience."

She declined to identify specific problems with testing, only to say it was not completed in time for the promised 2004 launch. Other published reports specified problems with 911 service.

Qwest has launched business VoIP services on a nationwide basis.