April 12, 2005 07:00 AM Eastern Time 

Qwest Delivers Advanced Connectivity to Homes in South Denver Community

Homeowners at RidgeGate, the new urban master planned mixed-use community south of Denver, are the first in the Denver metro area to be connected to the latest in broadband technology from Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE:Q). Qwest has installed fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology -- a first for the company -- at all homes in RidgeGate over which residents can receive high-speed data, television programming and local and long-distance telephone service.

Qwest has determined that where it makes sense for the company, such as in certain new developments where green field conditions exist, Qwest will deploy FTTH technology, which enables Qwest to be well prepared to serve customers' current and future broadband needs.

A home that is connected with Qwest fiber allows families to simultaneously run today's most bandwidth-intensive TV programming (i.e. high-definition TV) and Internet applications, including downloading music, online gaming or streaming video, and assures customers that their home connection will support tomorrow's applications effortlessly. And, since it uses a dedicated connection, homeowners won't experience a slower connection speed during peak usage times when their neighbors are online.

In addition, all homes in RidgeGate are designed to meet certain requirements to ensure the signal travels efficiently in the house. As a result, minimal upgrades to the home or home connection would be needed, if any, in order to support future technologies. In fact, RidgeGate residents won't even have to purchase a modem for their high-speed connections since modems already are built into the homes. They simply plug their computer into an Ethernet jack built into the home and they are ready to enjoy high-speed Internet access.

"Fiber-to-the-home is an extension of our efforts to deliver new broadband services and applications to customers," said Jim Vogel, vice president of sales for Qwest. "As a result, RidgeGate homeowners will have some of the most technologically advanced households in the state."

"RidgeGate made the decision from the outset to create a technology master plan with the services, applications, and content to connect the community on every level, ensuring a network that meets today's needs and has the capacity for tomorrow's," said Keith Simon, vice president and development director for RidgeGate.

RidgeGate residents receive access to a full selection of Qwest services -- high-speed Internet access, TV, local, long-distance and wireless -- from the first day they move into their new home, conveniently integrated on to one monthly bill from Qwest. And, homeowners at RidgeGate will automatically receive, at a reduced rate, Qwest high-speed Internet access at 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) or they can upgrade to a higher speed service. In addition, during the home-buying process, a dedicated Qwest representative will work with each homeowner to help them select the right combination of Qwest services for their needs. These representatives also will be available to serve customers at the RidgeGate sales office as well as the Lone Tree Recreation Center, located in RidgeGate, during peak hours.

With FTTH, data speeds of up to 40Mbps per homeowner are currently possible -- approximately 10 times faster than today's average broadband speeds -- allowing Qwest to easily introduce new data speeds in the future to meet RidgeGate residents' bandwidth needs as they evolve.

RidgeGate residents also have access to Qwest Choice TV -- an all-digital service with more than 200 channels, HDTV programming and digital video recorders. Qwest Choice TV delivers sharper picture quality and state-of-the-art sound because there is little to no signal degradation with a fiber connection.

Potential home buyers who are interested in learning more about the Qwest services available at RidgeGate can call 303-257-0866.

About RidgeGate

RidgeGate is a mixed-use, master-planned community located in Lone Tree that's slated to grow to approximately 12,000 homes within the next 50 years, providing residents with hip urban living. "New urbanism" takes the best of city, suburban and country living and creates a community in which residents can live, work and play. The development will integrate parks, trails and open spaces with its compact mixed-use development where residents can walk to restaurants, shops and civic and office buildings. And, a state-of-the-art fiber optic system, provided by Qwest, wires every home with high-speed Internet, video and voice options.

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.

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