Qwest Communications Signs Contract to Connect Facilities for Departme

    Business Editors/Telecommunications Writers

    DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 10, 2005--Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced a new contract to significantly expand network connectivity for several U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sites in support of the Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) run by the DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The five-year, multimillion-dollar contract continues Qwest's relationship with ESnet, which began in 1999.
    Under the contract, Qwest will create a cost-effective, fully managed metropolitan area network that will be large enough to support the vast amount of data generated by DOE researchers. The network will be 20 gigabits per second (Gbps) (20,000 megabits/sec) Ethernet connections with the capability to expand to over 100 Gbps -- roughly equivalent to having each lab exchanging 25 full CDs per second.
    ESnet, supported by Qwest, connects scientists at some of the world's most prestigious research facilities located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The sites include the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center at Stanford University in Menlo Park; the Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek; the Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore; the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley; the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center in Oakland; and two hubs in Sunnyvale.
    "As scientists rely increasingly on ESnet for gathering, transferring and analyzing massive amounts of scientific data, this metro area network will provide both higher bandwidth and greater reliability to ensure that researchers have access to the necessary resources," said William Johnston, ESnet program manager at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. "This agreement with Qwest is the first in a planned series of similar upgrades in areas populated with DOE facilities."
    Qwest already provides access and backbone services for the DOE ESnet, also managed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. ESnet operates a multi-gigabit backbone network connecting more than 40 DOE research sites around the country.
    "We are very excited to provide this capability to the Department of Energy," said Mark Stine, chief technology officer for Qwest government services. "The network promises to open up new possibilities for scientific collaboration and discovery."

    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.

    About ESnet

    The ESnet project mission is to help accelerate the pace of progress for the broad scientific research activities within the DOE by providing advanced communications and networking support to the research community. The project focus is to provide high performance and leading-edge capabilities on a cost effective and reliable basis. Because of the broad range of research activities within the DOE, a diverse range of capabilities is required of ESnet, including very high end-to-end performance levels, global interconnectivity, remote access to very costly experimental facilities, state-of-the-art collaboration tools and support, and high reliability and availability. Additional information is available at www.es.net and http://www.sc.doe.gov/ascr/mics/esnet/index.html.

    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, consolidating with others 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; and our inability to provide any assurance as to whether we will be successful in our effort to acquire MCI, Inc.
    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: Claire Mylott, 303-965-2689 Claire.mylott@qwest.com or Investor Contact: Stephanie Comfort, 800-567-7296 IR@qwest.com

KEYWORD: COLORADO CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: GOVERNMENT TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENERGY NETWORKING MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Qwest Communications International Inc.

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