QWEST COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERNET2 EXTEND PARTNERSHIP
FOR ADVANCED NETWORK SERVICES

Network Capacity to Quadruple, Enabling 190 Universities
To Work On Global Issues

DENVER, December 12, 2001 -- Qwest Communications
International Inc.  (NYSE: Q), the broadband
communications company, and Internet2, a university-led
research and development consortium, today announced a
new five-year agreement to quadruple the Abilene
Internet2 network's capacity. Qwest's investment in the
improvement of the Abilene Internet2 network is valued
at $300 million.

More than 190 universities and research centers use the
Abilene Internet2 network to create and test data and
video applications that have revolutionized how
scientists, teachers and students work and collaborate.
These applications help the search for solutions in
complex scientific fields such as cancer research,
artificial intelligence, robotics and early preparation
for earthquakes.

The new agreement will increase the Abilene Internet2
network's capacity to 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps)
through the use of optical networking technologies,
making the network one of the most advanced and
far-reaching educational research networks in the world.
The enhanced network will have enough capacity to send
9.7 million five paragraph e-mails in one second.

"Qwest is proud of its affiliation with Internet2 and
the revolutionary, cutting-edge applications that are
enabled by our network," said Afshin Mohebbi, Qwest
president and chief operating officer.  "The
relationship further defines Qwest's position as a
leader in delivering reliable, secure network services
for the government and education markets."

"Qwest's technology and commitment to Internet2 will
ensure the Abilene Internet2 network continues to
provide the academic and research community with an
unsurpassed national networking capability," said
Douglas Van Houweling, president and CEO of Internet2.
"Since its launch three years ago, the Abilene Internet2
network has been an unqualified success: it connects
leading universities in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico; peers with 37 international
research and education networks; and includes
participation by 17 state education networks."

The Abilene Internet2 network enables the deployment of
revolutionary education and research applications, as
well as the development of new network capabilities,
such as:

+ The Visible Human: A three-dimensional,
computer-generated cybernetic body, the Visible Human is
available over the Abilene Internet2 network for medical
researchers throughout North America.  Using digitized
data from a cadaver, researchers created a virtual human
body that can be viewed from any angle, dissected and
reassembled by anatomy students, or used as a model to
study the growth of cancer cells.

+ Distance Learning:  Cameras are installed above the
operating table - and within the area of the body
undergoing the medical procedure - so students 100 miles
or more away may watch the operation in real-time from
"inside the body."

+ Artistic Collaboration:  Shakespeare's
_Romeo_and_Juliet_ may be performed by actors on two
different stages 100 miles apart and viewed over the
Abilene Internet2 network.  Romeo could be in Phoenix,
and Juliet could be in Tucson.

Qwest is the recognized industry leader in providing
high-bandwidth network services for other prestigious
education and research networks, including the National
Science Foundation's Distributed Terascale Facility
program, NASA's Research and Education Network and the
Department of Energy's Energy Sciences Network. Qwest's
2001 revenues from the government and education sectors
are expected to be approximately $1 billion.

About Internet2(R) Led by over 180 U.S. universities,
working with industry and government, Internet2 is
developing and deploying advanced network applications
and technologies for research and higher education,
accelerating the creation of tomorrow's Internet.
Internet2 recreates the partnerships of academia,
industry, and government that helped foster today's
Internet in its infancy.

About Abilene Abilene, developed in partnership with
Qwest Communications, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks and
Indiana University, is an Internet2 backbone network
providing nationwide high-performance networking
capabilities for over 180 Internet2 universities in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
For more information on Abilene please see
http://www.internet2.edu/abilene/

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.

# # #

Contacts:

Qwest Media Contact
Vince Hancock
303-303-965-6950
[log in to unmask]


Internet2 Contact
Greg Wood
202-331-5360
[log in to unmask]


---------- Forwarded message ----------
        Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 14:54:22 -0500
        From: Greg Wood <[log in to unmask]>
        To: [log in to unmask]
        Subject: I2-NEWS: Qwest Communications and Internet2 Extend Partnership for
    Advanced Network Services


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