Denver Telecom Professionals Names Qwest Communications Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Oren Shaffer Executive of the Year

The Denver Telecom Professionals (DTP) organizationtoday announced it has selected Oren Shaffer, vice chairman and CFO ofQwest Communications International, as the Denver Telecom Executive ofthe Year. Shaffer was chosen from among a pool of 15 distinguishednominees and will be honored at an awards dinner scheduled for March8, at The Brown Palace Hotel. Shaffer was selected as the DenverTelecom Executive of the Year because of his ability to design anddrive a highly successful strategy for stabilizing Qwest's financialstanding and positioning the company for growth.

"I am delighted that Oren Shaffer has been selected by our DTPmembers and our Executive Board as the 2005 Telecom Executive of theYear," said Kelly Zunker, president of the Denver TelecomProfessionals. "He was determined to make substantial financialimprovements with Qwest, a bold move believed unattainable by many.Through strong, thoughtful leadership, Oren has achieved what manythought impossible -- dramatically improving Qwest's financialstanding, positioning the company for future growth andprofitability."

During Shaffer's tenure, Qwest has emerged as a leading providerof high-speed Internet, data, video and voice services, with roughly40,000 employees. Oren joined the communications industry more than 10years ago when he was named CFO for Ameritech, which later became SBCCommunications and is now AT&T. Since that time, he has beeninstrumental in driving several major events in the evolution of theindustry, including the merger between Ameritech and SBC; significantU.S. investments in the international telecom market; and thefinancial and operational turnaround of Qwest.

Guided by his leadership, Qwest has achieved the following:
-- Significant growth in customer sales and service metrics from
December 2003 to September 2005

-- High-speed Internet subscribers grew 110 percent to more than
1.3 million

-- Availability of high-speed Internet services in Qwest's
local-service region -- through strategic technology
investments -- grew from 45 percent to 75 percent of qualified
lines

-- Qwest re-entered the long-distance market and grew its
subscriber base to more than 4.7 million

-- And customer service metrics reached historically high levels.

-- As of Dec. 15, 2005, Qwest's stock price recognized gains in
excess of 105 percent since June 30, 2002. This is significantly
higher than the S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Telecom Services Index
returns of 35 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

-- For calendar year 2005 to date, Qwest's stock has seen a 29
percent increase in value, outperforming every other U.S.
telecommunications stock.

"This well-deserved award recognizes Oren's enormous contributionstoward restoring employee, customer and investor confidence in Qwest'sfinancial future," said Qwest chairman and CEO Richard C. Notebaert."He guided the balance sheet restructuring we began three years ago --that now facilitates opportunities for Qwest to grow and create valuefor all stakeholders."

"This is an honor for Qwest to be recognized by our peers andcolleagues," said Shaffer. "This award speaks to the dedication of theQwest team over the past three years -- I'm proud to accept it ontheir behalf."

Event Details

Shaffer will be honored at the 6th Annual Denver Telecom ExecutiveAward dinner March 8, 2006.
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Time: Cocktails at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Brown Palace Hotel
Cost: Individual seat: Member $125, Non-member $150
Tables of 8 with Company Name: $1,250

About Denver Telecom Professionals

Denver Telecom Professionals is a nonprofit organization foundedin 1998 to meet the professional development and networking needs ofits membership in the telecommunications, cable and Internetprofession in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region of the UnitedStates.

DTP's associates include 2,500 telecommunications professionals inColorado. Half of DTP's associates are drawn from largetelecommunications providers and the remaining half is drawn fromsmaller entrepreneurial communications companies.

For more information about the DTP, contact 2006 President KellyZunker at kzunker@genesyslab.com, or visit the organization's Web siteat www.telpros.org/denver.

About Qwest Communications International, Inc.

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE:Q) is a leadingprovider of high-speed Internet, data, video and voice services. Withapproximately 40,000 employees, Qwest is committed to the "Spirit ofService" and providing world-class services that exceed customers'expectations for quality, value and reliability. For more information,please visit the Qwest Web site at www.qwest.com.