New Qwest ''1% Back to Schools'' Program Donates One Percent of Qwest Monthly Bills to School Districts in Idaho

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE:Q) today announced a new program to benefit school districts across its residential-service region. The Qwest "1% Back to Schools” program will donate one percent of a residential customer’s Qwest bill every month to a school district of the customer’s choice, when the customer signs up for online billing and auto-pay. "Qwest's program is an excellent example of how the private sector can become more involved in public education," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna. "There is an inseparable link between business and education, and I applaud Qwest for the steps they are taking to improve education for all Idaho students." Jim Schmit, Qwest president for Idaho, said supporting Idaho schools is a top priority for the company and its 1,800 employees in the state. "This unique program allows our customers to steer resources to their local schools at no additional cost to them," Schmit said. Qwest residential-service customers may visit www.qwest.com/onepercent to enroll in the Qwest "1% Back to Schools” program. Customers who sign up for online billing and auto-pay will be able to choose to donate to a public school district in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Oregon, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Montana, Minnesota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington or Wyoming. One percent of an enrolled residential customer’s bill, before taxes, will be donated by Qwest to the selected school district. School districts are encouraged to use the proceeds for programs that promote technology in their classrooms. About Qwest Qwest offers a unique and powerful combination of managed voice and data solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers – locally and throughout the country. Customers coast to coast are turning to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber optic network and its Spirit of Service for quality products and superior customer experience. Qwest is a participant in Networx, the largest communications services contract in the world, to provide leading-edge voice, data and video services. For more information on Qwest, and its various operating subsidiaries, please go to www.qwest.com. For information about the products and services Qwest is offering in the Networx contract, visit www.gsanetworx.com. The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.