Networx goes to three -- and not to Sprint

So the Networx awards are out, and there are three winners -- AT&T, Qwest, and Verizon/MCI. Yes, you noticed correctly -- Sprint/Nextel did not make the cut.

I'm shocked, to be honest. The buzz was that Qwest would be the odd company out. So I'm sure they are partyin' in Denver today.

Meanwhile, the clock starts ticking on how long before the protest is filed.

And even AP put out a breaking news alert at 11:22a ET:

WASHINGTON (AP) Qwest Communications, AT&T and Verizon on Thursday were awarded the government's largest telecommunications contract ever, a 10-year deal worth up to $48 billion.