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Exhibit 99.1

QWEST EXPECTS FIRST QUARTER 2005 RESULTS TO DEMONSTRATE CONTINUED STEADY IMPROVEMENT

DENVER, April 25, 2005—Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) today announced that it expects to report first quarter 2005 results on Tuesday, May 3. The company expects to report that it continued to hold revenues flat for the fourth consecutive quarter and to report revenue less cost of sales and SG&A in excess of consensus expectations and in the range of $970 to $990 million. Qwest will report net income per share, as result of a gain of approximately $250 million on the sale of its wireless assets to Verizon Wireless. In addition, Qwest expects cash generated from operations for the quarter will exceed capital expenditures, reflecting focused operating activities and reduced capital expenditures offset by the payment of employee bonuses and the timing of certain payroll tax payments. The company continues to expect an improvement this year in cash generated from operations less capital expenditures compared with 2004 before one-time payments.

        "We are pleased with our performance in the quarter and look forward to discussing it in more detail next week," said Richard C. Notebaert, Qwest chairman and CEO.

        "Our continuing disciplined cost reduction and facilities optimization efforts are paying off and benefiting profitability, as planned. This progress is enabling Qwest to continue investment in our growth products and other strategies to improve our competitive position, financial flexibility and future growth."

        As previously announced, Qwest will host a conference call for investors and the media at 9 a.m. ET on May 3^rd, with Richard C. Notebaert, Qwest chairman and CEO, and Oren G. Shaffer, Qwest vice chairman and CFO. The call can be heard on the Web at http://www.qwest.com/about/investor/events/.

About Qwest

        Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is a leading provider of voice, video and data services. With more than 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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Forward Looking Statement Note

        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 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: access line losses due to increased competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines with wireless and cable alternatives; our substantial indebtedness, and our inability to complete any efforts to de-lever

our balance sheet through asset sales or other transactions; any adverse outcome of the current investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver into certain matters relating to us; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by regulatory authorities, media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes or legal proceedings, including any adverse outcome of current or future legal proceedings related to matters that are the subject of governmental investigations, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, if any, our inability to satisfy any resulting obligations from funds available to us, if any; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete including the likelihood of certain of our competitors consolidating with other providers or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure to more effectively compete against us; changes in demand for our products and services; 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; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment affecting our business; changes in the outcome of future events from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies; our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts; and our inability to provide any assurance as to whether we will be successful in our effort to acquire MCI, whether in the event of an acquisition we realize synergies in the amounts, at the times and at the related costs projected and whether regulatory approvals will be received within the timeframe projected and that such approvals will not be materially adverse to the projected operations of the combined company following the merger.

        The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest's present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest's assumptions. Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest's assumptions or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its behalf may issue. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility.

        Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements and other statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

        By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable law or that the information is material.

        The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.

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

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Exhibit 99.1