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Qwest [graphic logo omitted]                                                NEWS

         QWEST CORPORATION COMPLETES $1.5 BILLION SENIOR NOTES OFFERING

DENVER, March 12, 2002 -- Qwest Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qwest
Communications International Inc., today announced that it has completed its
previously announced issuance of $1.5 billion principal amount of indebtedness.
The notes representing the debt were issued at 98.40% of par, and carry an
interest rate of 8 7/8 percent per annum.

The debt, which matures on March 15, 2012, was issued in an unregistered
offering pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of
1933. Qwest Corporation has agreed to offer to exchange the unregistered senior
notes for substantially identical registered senior notes.

The notes rank equally with all of Qwest Corporation's other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness, and are not guaranteed by Qwest Communications
International Inc. Qwest expects to apply the net proceeds of the issuance to
repay short-term indebtedness and current maturities of long-term indebtedness.

The notes will not be registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered
or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from
registration requirements. This notice does not constitute an offer to sell or
the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities and shall not constitute an
offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering,
solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

                                    # # #

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
Qwest Communications International Inc. (together with its affiliates, "Qwest",
"we" or "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: potential fluctuations in quarterly results;
volatility of Qwest's stock price; intense competition in the markets in which
we compete; changes in demand for our products and services; the duration and
extent of the current economic downturn, including its effect on our customers
and suppliers; adverse economic conditions in the markets served by us or by
companies in which we have substantial investments; adverse results of review
and scrutiny by regulatory authorities, media and others of financial reporting
practices; dependence on new product development and 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; rapid and significant
changes in technology and markets; adverse changes in the regulatory or
legislative environment affecting our business; adverse developments in
commercial disputes or legal proceedings; adverse developments in commercial
disputes or legal proceedings; delays in our ability to provide interLATA
services within our 14-state local service area; failure to maintain
rights-of-way; and failure to achieve the projected synergies and financial
results expected to result from the acquisition of U S WEST, and difficulties in
combining the operations of the combined company. This release may include
analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which we
assume no responsibility. We undertake 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.

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.

      Contacts:   Media Contact:                Investor Contact:
                  --------------                -----------------
                  Tyler Gronbach                Lee Wolfe
                  303-992-2155                  800-567-7296
                  tyler.gronbach@qwest.com      IR@qwest.com

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