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                                                                            NEWS
QWEST(R)


                     QWEST COMMUNICATIONS AMENDS $4 BILLION
                         UNSECURED BANK credit facility

   Company Continues To Expect To Be Cash Flow Positive in Second Quarter 2002

                 Amendment Increases Debt/EBITDA Coverage Limits


DENVER, March 18, 2002 -- Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q)
today announced it has amended its $4 billion unsecured bank credit agreement.
The company believes that available cash and borrowings available under the bank
facility will be sufficient to pay debt maturing in the next twelve months and
to fund its capital and operating expenditures during that period. Qwest
continues to expect to become cash flow positive in the second quarter of 2002.

"The amendment is good for Qwest and the banks," said Robin Szeliga, Qwest
executive vice president and chief financial officer. "It lets us continue to
reduce our debt and puts the liquidity issues to rest."

As part of the amendment, Qwest is permitted to maintain a ratio of debt to
Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) for the trailing four quarters
of not more than 4.25 at March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2002 and 4.0 at
December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003. The previous debt coverage ratio limit was
3.75. The bank facility matures May 3, 2002, but the company presently expects
to exercise its option to extend the maturity to May 3, 2003, as permitted by
the agreement.

In connection with the amendment, the company repaid approximately $608 million
from the net proceeds of the issuance by Qwest Corporation, its wholly owned
subsidiary, of $1.5 billion principal amount of 8 7/8 percent senior notes.
Approximately $3.4 billion remains outstanding under the bank facility. As part
of the amendment, the company agreed to use a portion of net proceeds from
future sales of assets and capital market transactions, including the issuance
of debt and equity securities, to prepay the bank loan until the outstanding
loan is $2 billion or less.

About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is a leader in reliable,
scalable and secure broadband data, voice and image communications for
businesses and consumers. The Qwest Macro Capacity(R) Fiber Network, designed

with the newest optical networking equipment for speed and efficiency, spans
more than 190,000 miles globally. For more information, please visit the Qwest
Web site at www.qwest.com.

                                      # # #


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; 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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