At Shareowner Meeting, U S WEST CEO Says Meeting Customers' Fast-Changing Needs is Key to Merger Success;
PR Newswire - November 02, 1999 05:45
Sets Goal of Giving All Customers Access to 'E-Commerce-Enabled World'
- Announces U S WEST and Qwest Will Team to Offer High-Speed DSL Services in N. California -
- 6-mo. In-Region Roll-out of 'On-Line One-Stop Shop' of Information Appliances, Broadband Services; Fully Digitally Switched Network by 2001 Will Enhance New Data Services & Existing Phone Service -
NEW YORK, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- "These are exciting times," said Solomon D. Trujillo, chairman, president and CEO of U S WEST (NYSE: USW), as the company's shareholders convened to vote on the proposed merger with Qwest Communications (Nasdaq: QWST). "Our customers are moving at light-speed to embrace new communications services that profoundly improve their lifestyles. And we intend to move at light-speed to provide these services.
"Our goal is to bring the power and convenience of an E-commerce-enabled world to all our customers -- whether they're connected to the Internet by high-speed access, wireless or basic dial-up," said Trujillo. "For those who want only to call their friends and family, our enhanced digital network will improve basic phone service. For those who want more -- stay tuned. You haven't seen anything yet.
"We're going to enable customers to access the Internet in any way they want -- whether from a computer or some other device -- making the Web as convenient and commonly available as the telephone. To make that happen, we will embark on a six-month plan to begin rolling out a one-stop shop of easy-to-use Information Appliances, high-speed and dial-up Internet access, and powerful video and broadband services."
Promise of Merger with Qwest
Trujillo said the combination of Qwest and U S WEST, to be named Qwest Communications International Inc., is an integral part of that strategy. It will create an aggressive competitor that provides customers in the U.S. and world-wide more choices and greater access to next-generation Internet and telecommunications services.
"Together, Qwest and U S WEST will be a communications powerhouse that gives customers global reach as well as local touch," he said. "By linking with Qwest's advanced data network, we will offer the latest in end-to-end broadband services, with a full range of integrated wireline and wireless capabilities." Even before the merger is completed, Trujillo said U S WEST -- which has DSL in 40 cities and expects to reach 100,000 customers before year end -- will begin rolling out additional advanced services.
U S WEST and Qwest Enter High-Speed Data Market in Sacramento
Beginning in the first quarter of 2000, Qwest and U S WEST will team up to offer a complete package of voice, data and Internet services designed for business customers in Sacramento, California. The Sacramento introduction is the first of 25 national markets the two companies have said they expect to enter to offer fully packaged broadband communications services, like U S WEST's MegaBit Services DSL, business-specific Internet applications and traditional voice services.
The two companies are targeting small and medium-size businesses, offering the following services:
-- 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.
Preview of U S WEST's 'On-Line One-Stop Shop'
Over the next six months, U S WEST also plans to more widely deploy an exciting array of new high-speed Internet and e-commerce-enabling broadband services to customers in its 14 states. Among them:
-- Internet Over TV -- Later this year and into 2000, the company plans
to begin commercial roll-out of its first-in-the-nation Internet-over-
TV service, an innovative Information Appliance that combines DSL or
dial-up Internet access and telephone service on-screen with a
customer's existing TV programming.
-- Wireless Data Services -- Also later this year and into 2000, U S WEST
is expected to announce the integration of its unique 'one-number'
Advanced PCS wireless service with wireless data services and Internet
access, putting the power of the Internet in the palm of a customer's
hand.
-- E-commerce -- U S WEST Dex and !NTERPRISE Networking will offer
businesses easy and affordable ways to create an online presence and
let Web-surfing customers conduct e-commerce quickly and conveniently.
Consumers are using high-speed MegaBit Services ADSL and U S WEST.net
Internet connections to access e-commerce and other on-line shopping
sites on the Web. U S WEST has also beefed up its on-line sites,
letting customers see their bills and order services over the 'Net.
U S WEST Dex and the uswest.com sites offer customers a range of 'on-
line one-stop shopping.'
-- High-Speed Access and Broadband Services -- U S WEST is continuing to
expand its qualification footprint and equipped central offices to
reach more customers with 'always-on' MegaBit ADSL high-speed Internet
access. The company's initial deployment of Choice TV & Online
Services (VDSL-based) -- which integrates digital TV, phone service
and high-speed Internet access over existing home phone lines -- also
continues to be well-received by customers in Phoenix.
-- 'Web Phone' -- Also expected for U S WEST customers in 2000, the 'Web
Phone' is an Information Appliance that combines a traditional
telephone with an LCD touch-screen and retractable keyboard to let
customers surf the Internet, check e-mail, make phone calls and check
voice-mail from a single compact device that can move to any room in
the house with a standard telephone jack.
"These are the kinds of easy-to-use services and devices that will open up the power of the Internet to everyone," said Trujillo. "This is how we plan to help customers enjoy the benefits of 'always-on' Web Tone and an E-Commerce-enabled world. Stay tuned. The action's just begun."
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 can be found on the Internet at 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, and adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment. 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.
SOURCE U S WEST |
