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Qwest Communications Launches Industry-Leading Voice Over IP Service for Business Customers; Nationwide Solution Gives Business Customers Cost Savings and Valuable Features DENVER --(Business Wire)-- June 23, 2004 -- Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today advanced its leadership in delivering voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) solutions by launching a national VoIP solution that gives business customers valuable, flexible features to improve their communications while simplifying their telecom environment. The solution, called Qwest OneFlex(TM), is another step in Qwest's strategic deployment of nationwide VoIP capabilities for both business and residential customers.Qwest OneFlex is a reliable, network-based solution that leverages Qwest's national IP network to give customers a single-source solution comprising local and long-distance voice service as well as high-speed Internet access. With OneFlex, businesses simply use a Qwest iQ Networking(TM) connection for all their communications -- the only additional equipment required at the customers' premises are VoIP phones, ensuring that customers don't have the hassles of managing and purchasing complex premises-based VoIP equipment. OneFlex allows customers to tailor their services to meet their business needs. By using a Web interface, customers can simply 'point-and-click' for features such as conference callings, adding new users, setting-up voicemail and hundreds of others. Because Qwest OneFlex is a network-based solution, customers can concentrate on managing their own businesses without having to worry about managing their complex telecom equipment or dealing with multiple providers. Also, OneFlex easily integrates with customers' data communications, providing them with increased efficiency, simplicity and cost-savings. Qwest OneFlex will be available to business customers in Boise, Idaho; Denver; Minneapolis; and Phoenix in mid-July. By the end of 2004, customers in the following metropolitan areas will also have the benefits of Qwest OneFlex: -- Albuquerque, N.M. -- Baltimore -- Billings, Mont. -- Bismarck, N.D. -- Boston -- Casper, Wyo. -- Chicago -- Columbus, Ohio -- Des Moines, Iowa -- Los Angeles -- New York -- Omaha, Neb. -- Orange County, Calif. -- Philadelphia -- Portland, Ore. -- Salt Lake City -- San Diego -- San Francisco -- San Jose, Calif. -- Seattle -- Sioux Falls, S.D. -- Washington, D.C. Qwest will continue to expand OneFlex to additional markets in 2005. "Voice over IP is here to stay. Qwest is the only company that has everything to deliver an industry-leading VoIP solution to customers including an all IP nationwide network, hosting centers and dedicated Internet access solutions," said Barry Allen, executive vice president, operations for Qwest. "Qwest is poised to lead the industry because we're delivering real VoIP solutions and have been for years." For more than two years Qwest has been strategically implementing VoIP technology in its nationwide and local networks to lay the foundations for high-quality, cost-effective VoIP solutions for residential and business customers. Today's announcement underscores Qwest's commitment to VoIP now and in the future. "Qwest's business-class VoIP solution is an important announcement for the industry," said analyst Mark Winther, vice president of worldwide telecommunications at IDC. "This is the first nationwide offer of this kind and the fact that the technology resides entirely on Qwest's own network will go a long way toward satisfying customers' demand for quality of service." Qwest OneFlex leverages technology from industry-leading companies IBM, Sonus Networks and Sylantro Systems. IBM is supporting the design and implementation of essential back-office functions for Qwest OneFlex with its open standards-based technology, IBM Service Provider Delivery Environment (SPDE) to provide a customer experience that is high-quality and operationally smooth. Sonus Networks, the market-leading VoIP infrastructure provider, partnering with Sylantro Systems, is providing its leading application feature server to integrate technology that enables customers to select hundreds of features to complement their businesses and create a more efficient work environment. Qwest VoIP B-Roll is available starting at 7 a.m. Eastern time. Members of the media, click here www.thenewsmarket.com/qwest to obtain broadcast-standard video digitally, by tape or satellite via the APTN Global Video Wire. About Qwest Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is a leading provider of voice, video and data services to more than 25 million customers. The company's 46,000 employees are 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: the duration and extent of the current economic downturn in our 14-state local service area, including its effect on our customers and suppliers; 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 SEC's current investigation into our accounting policies, practices and procedures and certain 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 Congress, 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 or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure and competing effectively 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; and changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies. 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, and CyberCenter is a service mark of, Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. |
