EXHIBIT 12 U S WEST, INC. EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS) YEAR ENDED ---------------------- 9/30/99 9/30/98 -------- -------- Pro forma income before income taxes and extraordinary item...................................................... $1,679 $1,843 Interest expense (net of amounts capitalized)............... 519 378 Interest factor on rentals (1/3)............................ 68 64 ------ ------ Earnings.................................................... $2,266 $2,285 Interest expense............................................ $ 544 $ 395 Interest factor on rentals (1/3)............................ 68 64 ------ ------ Fixed charges............................................... $ 612 $ 459 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......................... 3.70 4.98 ====== ====== QUARTER ENDED ---------------------- 9/30/99 9/30/98 -------- -------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary item........... $ 391 $ 608 Interest expense (net of amounts capitalized)............... 203 172 Interest factor on rentals (1/3)............................ 24 20 ------ ------ Earnings.................................................... $ 618 $ 800 Interest expense............................................ $ 213 $ 178 Interest factor on rentals (1/3)............................ 24 20 ------ ------ Fixed charges............................................... $ 237 $ 198 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges.......................... 2.61 4.04 ====== ======