[November 4, 2004]

Qwest Expands Coverage, Invests Heavily in VoIP

BY JOHANNE TORRES

Qwest Communications International Inc. (quote - news - alert) just announced the opening of a new company retail store in Springfield, Oregon. The announcement is part of the company’s nationwide cable-powered VoIP service rollout. Qwest not only opened five new retail locations in the state since June, bumping up its reach to 70 retail stores in 12 states; but it also has plans to open businesses in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and New York city by the end of the year.

Qwest's new Oregon location is at the Gateway Mall in Springfield. Existing locations in the state include Eugene's Valley River Center, Lloyd Center and Clackamas Mall in Portland and Salem Center in Salem. "Qwest Solutions Centers have been very well received by customers," said Judy Peppler, Qwest state president for Oregon. "Since our first stores opened in June, customers have repeatedly commended Qwest for fast and efficient customer service in this face-to-face setting."

In related news, the company also announced reported third quarter 2004 results that benefited from improved revenue trends, expanded margins and solid growth in cash flow from operations. For the quarter, the fully diluted loss per share was $0.31 compared with a loss of $0.43 cents last quarter, which includes special items of $0.16 and $0.27 respectively.

"The initiatives we began earlier in the year are delivering positive trends across all of our key growth areas, as evidenced by improved operating results in the quarter," said Richard C. Notebaert, Qwest chairman and CEO. "Our continued focus on execution, as well as the continued progress in expanding our video, bundling, and VoIP initiatives, positions us for further growth and improved operating results in the fourth quarter and beyond."

During this third quarter, the company launched OneFlex, as the company's strategic deployment of nationwide VoIP capabilities for business customers. Qwest currently carries 2.1 billion minutes per month of VoIP traffic over its national IP network. The company currently offers OneFlex in markets throughout the 14-state local service region and plans to complete the rollout of business VoIP to 12 additional out-of-region markets and consumer VoIP to all major metropolitan markets within its local service area by year end.

Qwest Communications International Inc.
www.qwest.com