Qwest and U S WEST Announce First National Market to Receive Integrated High-Speed Internet, Data and Voice Services
PR Newswire - November 02, 1999 05:45
- Sacramento First City Targeted in Campaign to Offer Broadband Communications Services to Small & Medium-Size Business Customers in 25 Markets Outside U S WEST Region -
DENVER and NEW YORK, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Qwest Communications International Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST) and U S WEST (NYSE: USW) will offer a complete package of integrated high-speed Internet, data and voice services designed for small and medium-size business customers in Sacramento, Calif., beginning the first quarter of 2000, said U S WEST Chairman, President and CEO Sol Trujillo to his shareowners today during a special meeting to approve the company's proposed merger.
The Sacramento introduction is the first of 25 national markets the two companies targeted in their July 18 merger announcement for introduction of fully packaged broadband communications services like U S WEST's MegaBit Services DSL, business-specific Internet applications and traditional voice services.
"When we first announced our proposed merger, we said it would benefit customers through increased competition and choice," said Trujillo. "Today, we are marking the meeting of our shareowners to approve the merger by demonstrating its pro-competitive nature."
Trujillo added, "Customers in Sacramento will be among the first in the nation to experience the benefits that will come from merging the nation's most advanced broadband fiber-optic company with the nation's most technologically advanced local communications company -- including lower costs and access to more advanced high-speed services."
Among the services the companies will offer are:
-- High-speed DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) broadband services via collocated equipment.
-- Value-added, business-specific applications.
-- Full suite of business long-distance services for out-of-region customers.
-- Internet connectivity and e-commerce applications.
The two companies are targeting small and medium-size businesses, who according to analyst firm Cahners-Instat will spend roughly $42 billion on network hardware and communications services in 1999. Qwest and U S WEST will also serve large business customers who desire simple and cost-effective DSL, dedicated fiber access and other high-speed communications solutions.
The combination of Qwest and U S WEST, to be named Qwest Communications International Inc., will employ about 64,000 people and be headquartered in Denver. It brings together the world's most advanced network and provider of broadband Internet communications -- Qwest -- with the most innovative local communications firm in local, wireless and broadband services, as well as the nation's leader in high-speed DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet access -- U S WEST.
Qwest and U S WEST will link one of the world's most advanced fiber-optic networks to 29 million customers and a local network that is 99.2% digitally switched. Together, the two firms have more than three million miles of deployed fiber in the U.S. and worldwide.
About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST) is a leader in reliable and secure broadband Internet-based data, voice and image communications for businesses and consumers. Headquartered in Denver, Qwest has more than 9,000 employees working in North America, Europe and Mexico. The Qwest Macro Capacity(R) Fiber Network, designed with the newest optical networking, spans more than 18,500 miles in the United States, with an additional 315-mile network to be completed by the end of the year. In addition, Qwest and KPN, the Dutch telecommunications company, have formed a venture to build and operate a high-capacity European fiber optic, Internet Protocol-based network that has 2,100 miles and will span 8,100 miles when it is completed in 2001. Qwest also has completed a 1,400-mile network in Mexico.
About U S WEST
U S WEST (NYSE: USW) provides a full range of telecommunications services -- including wireline, wireless PCS, data networking, directory and information services -- to more than 25 million customers nationally and in 14 Western and Midwestern states. More information about U S WEST may be found on the Internet at www.uswest.com.
Safe Harbor: This release contains 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 and U S WEST with the SEC, 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 potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on new product development, rapid technological and market change, failure to complete the network on schedule and on budget, financial risk management and future growth subject to risks, the companies' ability to achieve Year 2000 compliance, adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment, and failure to close the merger timely or at all. This release may include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third parties for which the companies assume no responsibility. The companies 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 Qwest Communications International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. The U S WEST logo is a registration trademark of U S WEST, Inc. in the U.S.
SOURCE Qwest Communications International Inc.; U S WEST
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