Qwest to Deliver Verizon Wireless Products and Services to Its Customers

Qwest Communications International
Inc. (NYSE: Q) and Verizon Wireless announced today they have signed a
5-year agreement for Qwest to market and sell Verizon Wireless service
beginning this summer. Financial terms of the agreement are not being
disclosed.

Under the agreement, Qwest customers will have access to the full line
of Verizon Wireless handsets, smartphones and BlackBerry devices, as
well as high-speed broadband wireless services for e-mail, Internet
access and multimedia services.  Residential customers will be able to
choose “wireless only” and be billed directly by Verizon Wireless, or
include Verizon Wireless service as part of a Qwest bundle with their
home phone, Internet and video services, and receive one bill from
Qwest for all services.

“We are excited to be partnering with Verizon Wireless and believe this
opportunity will enhance the Qwest customer experience,” said Ed
Mueller, Qwest chairman and CEO. “Verizon Wireless’ strong reputation
in innovation, network quality and reliability, and superior products
and services was very attractive in our decision to deliver
state-of-the-art mobile solutions to consumer, business and government
customers. Qwest’s strategies for success certainly will benefit from
this deal and we look forward to a solid relationship with Verizon
Wireless.”

Qwest residential customers will be able to buy Verizon Wireless
products and services via Qwest’s call centers, Qwest’s retail stores
and kiosks, and online at Qwest.com. Once billing systems are
coordinated, residential customers will be able to elect to have their
Verizon Wireless service charges included on their Qwest bill. Qwest
customers will receive information in the near future about the Verizon
Wireless products and services that will soon be available to them. 

In addition, the companies will work together on bidding for enterprise
and government wireless contracts, and collaborate in the development
of converged services, such as a unified voicemail box for mobile and
landline as well as integration of Qwest’s IP networking solutions with
Verizon Wireless’ mobile data network for business and government
customers.  

“We welcome the opportunity to provide Qwest customers with the best
wireless service available,” said Lowell McAdam, president and CEO of
Verizon Wireless.  “The quality and reliability of our network, coupled
with our broadband capabilities, leading line-up of advanced
communications devices and reputation for customer satisfaction will
make a huge difference in their wireless experience.” 

About Qwest

Qwest
offers a powerful combination of award-winning broadband, video and
voice solutions for residential customers, businesses and government
agencies. Customers coast to coast turn to Qwest's industry-leading
national fiber optic network to meet their evolving communications and
entertainment needs. Qwest employees are the driving force behind the
company’s nationally recognized Spirit of Service. Qwest is a
participant in Networx, the largest communications services contract in
the world, to provide innovative voice, data and video services. For
more information on Qwest please visit www.qwest.com [1]. For information about the products and services Qwest is offering in the Networx contract, visit www.gsanetworx.com [2]

About Verizon Wireless

 

Verizon
Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable wireless voice and data
network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking
Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a
joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE
and LSE: VOD).  For more information, go to: www.verizonwireless.com.
To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and
high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the
Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at
www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.