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 $ 1,714 $ 1,843 Interest expense (net of amounts capitalized) 519 378 Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 68 64 ------- ------- Earnings $ 2,301 $ 2,285 Interest expense $ 544 $ 395 Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 68 64 ------- ------- Fixed charges $ 612 $ 459 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.76 4.98 ------- ------- Quarter Ended 9/30/99 9/30/98 ------- ------- Income before income taxes and extraordinary item $ 396 $ 608 Interest expense (net of amounts capitalized) 203 172 Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 24 20 ------- ------- Earnings $ 623 $ 800 Interest expense $ 213 $ 178 Interest factor on rentals (1/3) 24 20 ------- ------- Fixed charges $ 237 $ 198 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 2.63 4.04 ------- -------