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Qwest Provides DIRECTV With Advanced Networking Services in Multi-Year Agreement

Posted on: Tuesday, 21 November 2006, 09:00 CST

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE:Q) today announced that for the next three years it will be a major provider of networking services to El Segundo, Calif.-based DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital satellite television service provider. The Qwest advanced networking services will help DIRECTV deliver local HD television content to customers. This agreement is a direct result of the recent acquisition of OnFiber.

Qwest will provide its state-of-the-art metro optical wavelength services, or QWave, to upgrade DIRECTV's network infrastructure. With this upgrade, DIRECTV will be able to distribute and transport HDTV content to millions of its customers. Qwest will be a major network services provider for DIRECTV, offering the company access to Qwest's reliable and secure network to transfer television and movie content.

"As we continue to expand our programming services, we are deploying the most advanced transmission technology in the world," said Don Jones, vice president and general manager, DIRECTV, Inc. "While we worked with OnFiber to deploy network services in Denver, Los Angeles and Washington state, Qwest is now providing a critical piece of the infrastructure in California. We're pleased with the smooth transition that took place. Qwest professionals understand our business, and have proved to us that they can support our current needs and provide the cutting-edge technology that will help establish DIRECTV as the industry leader in the delivery of local HD programming."

"This expanded relationship with DIRECTV proves our national sales organization and OnFiber's sales team integrated well. OnFiber continues to benefit Qwest with new customers and technologies that grow our metro area networking (MAN) solutions," said Tom Richards, executive vice president, Qwest business markets group. "Qwest is committed to making it easier for customers to create customized area networks, and the acquisition of OnFiber allows us to reach even more business customers nationwide."

Qwest completed the acquisition of OnFiber in August 2006, and the assets bring additional network facilities to deliver services to businesses in 23 markets as well as many other new Qwest customers. The partnership Qwest has with DIRECTV to offer the four-product bundle, including digital television, digital voice, high-speed Internet and wireless services, will remain the same. Qwest QWave is an optical wavelength private-line product that utilizes dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) technology at speeds up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps).

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 15.6 million customers through exclusive content, industry-leading customer service (which has surpassed cable for six years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound; exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere including NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, and MLB EXTRA INNINGS™. DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan™, US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. DIRECTV is approximately 39 percent owned by News Corporation. For the most up-to-date information on the Company, please visit directv.com.

About Qwest

Qwest offers a unique and powerful combination of voice and data solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers -- locally and throughout the country. Customers coast to coast are turning to Qwest's industry-leading national fiber optic network and its Spirit of Service for quality products and superior customer experience. For more information on Qwest, and its various operating subsidiaries, please go to www.qwest.com.

Source: Business Wire

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