U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS APPOINTS JIM SMILEY AS VICE PRESIDENT - MINNESOTA

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- U S WEST Communications (NYSE: USW) announced today that Jim Smiley has been appointed vice president for the company in Minnesota with additional leadership responsibilities for Public Policy operations in Iowa and Nebraska.

Smiley leaves a position he has held since 1993 as vice president of Congressional Relations for U S WEST, Inc. in Washington, D.C.

In his new position, Smiley will be responsible for maintaining U S WEST's leadership and commitment in Minnesota. He will direct all regulatory and legislative initiatives in the state, and will represent the company in all civic and community affairs. In addition, Smiley will oversee U S WEST Communications' Public Policy operations in the states of Iowa and Nebraska.

In making the announcement, U S WEST Communications President and Chief Executive Officer Sol Trujillo said, "We are pleased to have a talented executive with Jim's diverse background and solid track record to lead our company in Minnesota and oversee operations in the eastern states we serve. His experience in both our state and federal public policy organizations will be invaluable to his work in Minnesota."

Smiley said, "With the many changes taking place in our business and the telecommunications industry, this is an exciting time filled with challenges and opportunities. I look forward to returning to the Midwest and to working with other U S WEST employees, our customers, public policymakers and community leaders."

Smiley, 46, replaces Ron James who recently left U S WEST Communications after more than 24 years with the company.

Smiley joined U S WEST in 1971 as an editorial associate in Seattle, Wash. Since that time, he has held positions in Human Resources, Public Relations and External Affairs. From 1989 to 1993, he was vice president for U S WEST in South Dakota. He was active in leadership positions in various local and state community projects in South Dakota and Colorado, including the South Dakota Board of Education and United Way. Smiley has a degree in Communications from Washington State University.

U S WEST Communications provides telecommunications services to more than 25 million customers in 14 western and midwestern states. The company is one of two major groups that make up U S WEST.

U S WEST is in the connections business, helping customers share information, entertainment and communications services in local markets worldwide. U S WEST's other major group, U S WEST Media Group, is involved in domestic and international cable and wireless networks, directory publishing and interactive multimedia services.

For 1994, U S WEST reported revenues of nearly $11 billion. The company has 61,000 employees.

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/CONTACT: Mary Hisley of U S WEST Communications, 612-663-5992/

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