Qwest Brings Residential Services Closer to North Dakota Customers; Wi

    Business Editors

    BISMARCK, N.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2005--Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced that it is opening a company retail store at West Acres Shopping Center in Fargo. The move is part of a region-wide retail expansion, which brings the total number of new Qwest locations to 83 across the company's 14-state region. This is the first location to open in North Dakota.
    Qwest's first-of-its-kind retail concept focuses on a unique service environment: the Qwest Solutions Center(TM). This retail setting makes Qwest the only communications provider to offer personal, face-to-face assistance for a full spectrum of communications choices all in one place.
    Customers can get expert advice and purchase wireless, high-speed Internet service, home-phone packages, long-distance service and DirecTV. Additionally, each Qwest store has a convenient bill drop, and all Qwest retail associates can make feature changes and assist with billing inquiries and technical support.
    "More people rely on the conveniences of communication technology today than ever before," said Scott Macintosh, Qwest state president for North Dakota. "By offering Qwest services, such as high-speed Internet and wireless phones, in a hands-on environment, we are bringing these choices closer to everyone and ensuring that the services are as easy to purchase as possible."
    Making Qwest services available at retail locations is another example of Qwest's Spirit of Service -- the company's commitment to deliver excellent service and the best value to customers every day. In addition, Qwest offers MyAccount services at www.qwest.com, which bring customer-friendly service tools to the Web, including click-to-chat assistance and free online bill payment.

    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 consolidating with other providers or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure to more effectively compete 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; changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies; our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts; our inability to provide any assurance as to whether we will be successful in our effort to acquire MCI, Inc.; and whether in the event of an acquisition we realize synergies in the amounts, at the times and at the related costs projected and whether regulatory approvals will be received within the timeframe projected and that such approvals will not be materially adverse to the projected operations of the combined company following the merger.
    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.
    By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material.

    The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.

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CONTACT: Qwest Communications International Inc. Media Contact: Kent Blickensderfer, 701-222-7051 Kent.Blickensderfer@qwest.com or Investor Contact: Stephanie Comfort, 800-567-7296 IR@qwest.com

KEYWORD: NORTH DAKOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD RETAIL SOURCE: Qwest Communications International Inc.

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