Land O'Lakes Signs New Agreement with Qwest for Network Services

    Business Editors/Telecommunications Writers

    DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2005--Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced that is has expanded its 20-year relationship with Land O'Lakes, Inc. a national supplier of dairy foods and agricultural products, most notably LAND O LAKES(R) butter. Under a new, multi-year agreement, Qwest will provide Land O'Lakes with a national frame relay network to more than 80 locations around the country, so the company can benefit from secure, reliable data connectivity for their business applications.
    Land O'Lakes, an Arden Hills, Minn.-based company, has been using Qwest for local service for more than two decades. The Qwest portfolio of services has expanded, giving enterprise business customers, such as Land O'Lakes, the opportunity to take advantage of a wide range of Qwest business-class voice, data and Internet protocol (IP solutions).
    "We're pleased with our experience with Qwest because the account team was focused on giving us the right network services to fit our specific needs. The project implementation process executed well and all services were installed on time. The reliability of the Network and the ability of the account team to get the job done, has confirmed we made the right choice with Qwest," said Kirk Kluesner, Manager of Network Engineering, Land O'Lakes.
    "Qwest is pleased to form this new agreement with Land O'Lakes because it emphasizes how important our long-lasting relationships have been to Qwest as we grow our enterprise business," said Cliff Holtz, executive vice president, business markets group for Qwest. "Using new services such as voice over IP we expect to replicate the success we've had with Land O'Lakes with other small, medium and enterprise business customers who've worked with Qwest in the past."
    Land O'Lakes, Inc. (www.landolakesinc.com) is a national farmer-owned food and agricultural cooperative with annual sales of more than $6 billion. Land O'Lakes does business in all 50 states and more than 50 countries. It is a leading marketer of a full line of dairy-based consumer, foodservice and food ingredient products across the United States; serves its international customers with a variety of food and animal feed ingredients; and provides farmers and ranchers with an extensive line of agricultural supplies (feed, seed, crop nutrients and crop protection products) and services.

    About Qwest

    Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is a leading provider of voice, video and data services. With more than 40,000 employees, Qwest is committed to the "Spirit of Service" 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.

    Forward-Looking Statement Note

    This release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: access line losses due to increased competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines with wireless and cable alternatives; our substantial indebtedness, and our inability to complete any efforts to de-lever our balance sheet through asset sales or other transactions; any adverse outcome of the current investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver into certain matters relating to us; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by regulatory authorities, media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes or legal proceedings, including any adverse outcome of current or future legal proceedings related to matters that are the subject of governmental investigations, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, if any, our inability to satisfy any resulting obligations from funds available to us, if any; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete including the likelihood of certain of our competitors emerging from bankruptcy court protection or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure and competing effectively against us; changes in demand for our products and services; acceleration of the deployment of advanced new services, such as broadband data, wireless and video services, which could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels; higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures and operating expenses; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment affecting our business; and changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies.
    The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest's present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest's assumptions. Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest's assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility.
    Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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CONTACT: Qwest Communications Media Contact: Claire Mylott, 303-965-2689 Claire.mylott@qwest.com or Investor Contact: Stephanie Comfort, 800-567-7296 IR@qwest.com

KEYWORD: COLORADO MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Qwest Communications

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