Qwest and Microsoft to Deliver VoIP Services via the Desktop to Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

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BOSTON — Sept. 20, 2005 — At Fall VON 2005, Qwest Communications International Inc. and Microsoft Corp. today announced that they are working together to provide small and medium-sized business (SMB) customers with a converged communications solution. By integrating the Microsoft Solution for Enhanced VoIP services with Qwest's OneFlex™ Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services, Qwest will offer SMB subscribers a comprehensive managed suite of services that combines VoIP, e-mail, Internet access, collaboration, presence, instant messaging and desktop services.

Qwest and Microsoft expect the service will be available in 2006. Qwest is the first service provider to integrate the Microsoft Solution for Enhanced VoIP Services.

“Small and medium-sized businesses want access to the same types of communications services that large enterprises enjoy today, but the investment and resources required to manage those services have traditionally been out of their reach,” said Tom Richards, executive vice president, business markets group for Qwest. “With Microsoft, we can make this a reality for our customers. We'll be able to provide SMBs with powerful, yet easy-to-use telephony and desktop capabilities.”

“Although pricing has certainly been a key factor in the early development of the VoIP industry, we believe that it's the richness of the customer experience that will ultimately drive mainstream adoption of VoIP,” said Michael O'Hara, general manager of marketing for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. “Qwest is focused on delivering greater value to its SMB customers, and we're pleased to be working with Qwest to offer integrated communications services that enhance their customers' productivity.”

The Microsoft Solution for Enhanced VoIP Services combines hosted versions of Microsoft server products including Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 and Windows® SharePoint® Services with Sylantro Systems' Application Feature Server. This solution, in concert with the Qwest OneFlex Hosted VoIP services, offers a multiservice platform through which Qwest can deliver a rich set of services and telephony capabilities to SMBs, as well as enterprises and consumers.

About Qwest

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is a leading provider of high-speed Internet, data, video and voice services. With approximately 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 Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.


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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; and our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts.

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 and other 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.



Contact Information:

Media Contact
Claire Mylott
303-965-2689
Claire.Mylott@qwest.com
Media Contact
Rose Tucker (Weber Shandwick for Microsoft)
425-452-5463
rtucker@webershandwick.com
Investor Contact
Stephanie Comfort
800-567-7296
IR@qwest.com

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