New Federal Guidelines Allow Qwest to Offer Low-Cost Services to More Eligible Tribal Residents; Eligibility for Subsidized Telephone Service Expanded.

DENVER -- Qwest (NYSE: Q) today announced that updated federal poverty guidelines have been incorporated into its Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up programs, a combination of subsidized services. Now, a household of four living on a reservation with a combined income of $27,000 or less can qualify for Tribal Lifeline.

Qwest has engaged in a multiple-year outreach effort to notify the widest possible range of eligible recipients. The outreach effort, combined with the 2006 federal guidelines, mean even more reservation residents are able to take advantage of the Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up programs.

"Qwest is proud of its service and tradition in connecting families on tribal lands," said Paula Kruger, Qwest executive vice president, consumer markets. "We encourage everyone in the Native American community to share their knowledge of the program with family, friends, and neighbors -- so that we can make this opportunity available to as many people as possible."

Tribal Lifeline provides residential customers who live on a reservation with basic local telephone service for as low as $1.00 per month. Tribal Link-Up, reduces the cost of installing a customer's main telephone line by 50 percent.

Customers can also qualify for Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up if they live on a reservation and participate in one of the following programs:

1. Medicaid

2. Food Stamps 

3. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

4. Head Start (Meeting Income Requirement)

5. Tribally Administered Temporary Housing for the Needy Families

6. Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance Programs

7. Federal Public Housing Assistance

8. Low-income Home Energy Assistance

9. National School Lunch Program

10. Any other qualifying program approved by the state Lifeline and Link-Up program

Qwest will continue its outreach throughout its 14-state region to publicize the availability of these programs. That outreach includes traditional advertising as well as on-the-ground marketing on reservations and at Native American "pow wows," which draw thousands of participants.

Qwest began offering Tribal Lifeline and Tribal Link-Up in June 2000, when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the programs in an effort to promote telephone service in underserved tribal lands.

Others who fall under the poverty guidelines but who do not live on tribal lands qualify as well and enrollment is easy. Qualified individuals need to complete and return a simple application that can be obtained by calling Qwest at 800-244-1111. The application can also be found at the Qwest Web site at www.qwest.com/TAP.

About Qwest

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q), through its operating subsidiaries, is a leading provider of high-speed Internet, data, video and voice services. With nearly 40,000 employees, Qwest is 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.

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