10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

ý	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009
or
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                        to

Commission File No. 001-15577

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	84-1339282 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1801 California Street, Denver, Colorado (Address of principal executive offices)	80202 (Zip Code)

(303) 992-1400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    ý    No    o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes    ý    No    o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company) Smaller reporting company o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes    o    No    ý

        On October 26, 2009, 1,726,624,162 shares of common stock were outstanding.

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Glossary of Terms		ii
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements		1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations—Three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)	1
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (unaudited)	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)	3
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	4
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		36
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		56
Item 4. Controls and Procedures		56
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings		57
Item 1A. Risk Factors		57
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		65
Item 6. Exhibits		66
Signature		72

i

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

        Our industry uses many terms and acronyms that may not be familiar to you. To assist you in reading this document and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have provided below definitions of some of these terms.

•

Access Lines.  Telephone lines reaching from the customer's premises to a connection with the public switched telephone network. Our access lines include lines used to provide services to our external customers, as well as lines used by us and our affiliates.

•

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM).  A broadband, network transport service utilizing data switches that provides a fast, efficient way to move large quantities of information.

•

Broadband Services (also known as high-speed Internet services).  Services used to connect to the Internet through existing telephone lines that operate at higher speeds than dial-up access.

•

Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs).  Telecommunications providers that compete with us in providing local voice and other services in our local service area.

•

Data Integration.  Telecommunications equipment located on customers' premises and related professional services. These services include network management, installation and maintenance of data equipment and building of proprietary fiber-optic broadband networks for our governmental and business customers.

•

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA).  Internet access ranging from 128 kilobits per second to 10 gigabits per second.

•

Facility Costs.  Third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers' networks to provide services to our customers.

•

Fiber to the Node (FTTN).  A type of telecommunications network that combines fiber-optic cables (which run from a telecommunication provider's central office to a single location within a particular neighborhood or geographic area) and traditional copper wires (which run from this location to individual residences and businesses within the neighborhood or geographic area). Fiber to the node allows for the delivery of higher speed broadband services than would otherwise generally be available through a more traditional telecommunications network made up of only copper wires.

•

Frame Relay.  A high-speed data switching technology used primarily to interconnect multiple local networks.

•

Hosting Services.  The providing of space, power, bandwidth and managed services in data centers.

•

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC).  A traditional telecommunications provider, such as our subsidiary, Qwest Corporation, that, prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, had the exclusive right and responsibility for providing local telecommunications services in its local service area.

•

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).  A telecommunications standard that uses digital transmission technology to support voice, video and data communications applications over regular telephone lines.

•

Internet Protocol (IP).  Those protocols that facilitate transferring information in packets of data and that enable each packet in a transmission to "tell" the data switches it encounters where it is headed and enables the computers on each end to confirm that message has been accurately transmitted and received.

ii

•

Managed Services.  Customized, turnkey solutions for integrated data, Internet and voice services offered to our business markets customers. These services include a diverse combination of emerging technology products and services, such as VoIP, Ethernet, MPLS, hosting services and advanced voice services, such as web conferencing and call center solutions. Most of these services can be performed from outside our customers' internal networks, with an emphasis on integrating and certifying Internet security for applications and content.

•

Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS).  A standards-approved data networking technology that is a substitute for existing ATM and frame relay networks and that can deliver the quality of service required to support real-time voice and video, as well as service level agreements that guarantee bandwidth. MPLS is deployed by many telecommunications providers and large enterprises for use in their own national networks. We sell MPLS based services primarily to our business customers under our Qwest iQ Networking® trademark.

•

Private Line.  Direct circuit or channel specifically dedicated to a customer for the purpose of directly connecting two or more sites. Private line offers a high-speed, secure solution for frequent transmission of large amounts of data between sites.

•

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).  The worldwide voice telephone network that is accessible to every person with a telephone equipped with a dial tone.

•

Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs).  Discrete elements of our network that are sold or leased to competitive telecommunications providers and that may be combined to provide their retail telecommunications services.

•

Universal Service Funds (USF).  Federal and state funds established to promote the availability of telecommunications services to all consumers at reasonable and affordable rates, among other things. As a telecommunications provider, we are often required to contribute to these funds.

•

Virtual Private Network (VPN).  A private network that operates securely within a public network (such as the Internet) by means of encrypting transmissions.

•

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).  An application that provides real-time, two-way voice communication similar to our traditional voice services that originates in the Internet protocol over a broadband connection and often terminates on the PSTN.

•

Wide Area Network (WAN).  A communications network that covers a wide geographic area, such as a state or country. A WAN typically extends a local area network outside the building, over telephone common carrier lines to link to other local area networks in remote locations, such as branch offices or at-home workers and telecommuters.

iii

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

		Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009		2008			2009			2008
		(Dollars in millions except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
Operating revenue		$	3,054	$	3,379		$	9,317		$	10,160
Operating expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		932		1,232			2,794			3,562
	Selling		460		575			1,502			1,657
	General, administrative and other operating		596		519			1,764			1,650
	Depreciation and amortization		581		599			1,732			1,753
Total operating expenses			2,569		2,925			7,792			8,622
Operating income			485		454			1,525			1,538
Other expense (income)—net:
	Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net		274		263			810			805
	Other—net		—		(27	)		(11	)		(28	)
Total other expense (income)—net			274		236			799			777
Income before income taxes			211		218			726			761
Income tax expense			75		73			172			286
Net income		$	136	$	145		$	554		$	475
Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.08	$	0.08		$	0.32		$	0.27
	Diluted	$	0.08	$	0.08		$	0.32		$	0.27
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic		1,711,954		1,713,127			1,707,354			1,739,441
	Diluted		1,719,502		1,713,745			1,713,405			1,741,928

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

			September 30, 2009			December 31, 2008
			(Dollars in millions, shares in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	2,074		$	565
	Accounts receivable—net of allowance of $114 and $129, respectively			1,343			1,465
	Deferred income taxes—net			569			572
	Prepaid expenses and other			361			368
Total current assets				4,347			2,970
Property, plant and equipment—net				12,399			13,045
Capitalized software—net				888			875
Deferred income taxes—net				2,003			2,168
Other				588			1,083
Total assets			$	20,225		$	20,141
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term borrowings		$	925		$	820
	Accounts payable			754			820
	Accrued expenses and other			1,355			1,641
	Deferred revenue and advance billings			547			572
Total current liabilities				3,581			3,853
Long-term borrowings—net of unamortized debt discount and other of $286 and $270, respectively				13,210			12,735
Post-retirement and other post-employment benefits obligations—net				2,461			2,457
Pension obligations—net				809			775
Deferred revenue				502			519
Other				693			1,188
Total liabilities				21,256			21,527
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Stockholders' deficit:
		Preferred stock—$1.00 par value, 200 million shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		—			—
		Common stock—$0.01 par value, 5 billion shares authorized; 1,735,087 and 1,713,521 shares issued, respectively		17			17
		Additional paid-in capital		42,245			42,167
		Treasury stock—8,923 and 6,767 shares, respectively (including 44 shares and 62 shares, respectively, held in rabbi trust)		(22	)		(20	)
		Accumulated deficit		(42,784	)		(43,063	)
		Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(487	)		(487	)
Total stockholders' deficit				(1,031	)		(1,386	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit			$	20,225		$	20,141

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

			Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2009			2008
			(Dollars in millions)
Operating activities:
	Net income		$	554		$	475
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
		Depreciation and amortization		1,732			1,753
		Deferred income taxes		156			347
		Provision for bad debt—net		111			123
		Other non-cash charges—net		95			116
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
		Accounts receivable		17			(5	)
		Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(4	)		35
		Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities		(209	)		(546	)
		Deferred revenue and advance billings		(51	)		(24	)
		Other non-current assets and liabilities		30			(251	)
Cash provided by operating activities				2,431			2,023
Investing activities:
	Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software			(1,023	)		(1,416	)
	Proceeds from sale of investment securities			13			56
	Other			(6	)		17
Cash used for investing activities				(1,016	)		(1,343	)
Financing activities:
	Proceeds from long-term borrowings			1,270			—
	Repayments of long-term borrowings, including current maturities			(819	)		(205	)
	Proceeds from issuances of common stock			45			31
	Dividends paid			(412	)		(420	)
	Repurchases of common stock			—			(432	)
	Other			10			30
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities				94			(996	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
	Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			1,509			(316	)
	Beginning balance			565			902
Ending balance			$	2,074		$	586

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to "Qwest," "we," "us," the "Company" and "our" refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to "QCII" refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. on an unconsolidated, stand-alone basis.

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

        The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008, which was derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. In compliance with those instructions, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. We believe that the disclosures made are adequate such that the information presented is not misleading. We have evaluated subsequent events through October 28, 2009, the date these financial statements were issued.

        In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present our condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows as of September 30, 2009 and for all periods presented. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

        The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results or cash flows expected for the full year.

Use of Estimates

        Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions we made when accounting for items and matters such as, but not limited to, investments, long-term contracts, customer retention patterns, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, amortization, asset valuations, internal labor capitalization rates, recoverability of assets (including deferred tax assets), impairment assessments, pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits, taxes, reserves and other provisions and contingencies are reasonable, based on information available at the time they were made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of equity as of the dates of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenue, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 9—Tax Matters and Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

•

For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to

4

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation (Continued)

recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable.

•

For matters related to income taxes, the impact of an uncertain tax position that is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No benefit from an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Also, interest expense is recognized on the full amount of uncertain tax positions.

        For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ from our estimates.

Universal Service Funds (USF), Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges

        Our revenue and general, administrative and other operating expenses included taxes and surcharges accounted for on a gross basis of $97 million and $268 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $102 million and $295 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization

        Property, plant and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Accumulated depreciation was $34.161 billion and $33.725 billion as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

        Capitalized software is shown net of accumulated amortization on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Accumulated amortization was $1.597 billion and $1.497 billion as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

        Effective January 1, 2009, we changed our estimates of the average remaining economic lives of certain copper cable and telecommunications equipment assets. These changes resulted in additional depreciation expense of approximately $10 million and $30 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, and will result in additional depreciation expense of approximately $38 million for the year ending December 31, 2009 compared to the year ended December 31, 2008.

        We made a decision in June 2008 to discontinue certain product offerings and as a result we changed our estimates of the remaining economic lives of certain assets used in providing those services, which resulted in the acceleration of depreciation of those assets beginning in the third quarter of 2008. This change did not result in additional depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, this change resulted in additional depreciation expense of approximately $19 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. These assets will be fully depreciated as of December 31, 2009; therefore, we do not anticipate recording any significant incremental depreciation expense associated with this change for the remainder of the year.

5

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation (Continued)

        The additional depreciation for both of the changes described above, net of deferred taxes, reduced net income by approximately $6 million, or less than $0.01 per basic and diluted common share for the three months ended September 30, 2009, and $29 million, or approximately $0.02 per basic and diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The additional depreciation will reduce net income by approximately $35 million, or approximately $0.02 per basic and diluted common share, for the year ending December 31, 2009.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

        Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Staff Position ("FSP") APB 14-1, "Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement)" ("FSP APB 14-1") (FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 470). This FSP requires issuers of convertible debt that may be settled fully or partially in cash upon conversion to account separately for the liability and equity components of the convertible debt. The liability component is measured so that the effective interest expense associated with the convertible debt reflects our borrowing rate at the date of issuance for similar debt instruments without the conversion feature. This FSP applies to our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (the "3.50% Convertible Senior Notes"). We applied this FSP retrospectively to all periods presented in our condensed consolidated financial statements. For additional information related to this FSP, see Note 5—Borrowings.

        The following is a summary of the effects of the adoption of this FSP on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008:

		Three Months Ended September 30, 2008			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
		Impact of adoption			Impact of adoption
		(Dollars in millions except per share amounts)
Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net		$	11		$	35
Net income		$	(6	)	$	(21	)
Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.02	)
	Diluted	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)

6

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation (Continued)

        The following is a summary of the effects of the adoption of this FSP on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009:

		Three Months Ended September 30, 2009			Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
		Impact of adoption			Impact of adoption
		(Dollars in millions except per share amounts)
Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net		$	13		$	39
Net income		$	(8	)	$	(24	)
Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	—		$	(0.02	)
	Diluted	$	—		$	(0.01	)

        The following is a summary of the effects of the adoption of this FSP on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2008:

		December 31, 2008
		Impact of adoption
		(Dollars in millions)
Assets:
	Long-term deferred income taxes—net	$	(40	)
Liabilities:
	Long-term borrowing—net of unamortized debt discount and other		(104	)
Total stockholders' deficit		$	(63	)

        Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted FSP Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") 03-6-1, "Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities" (ASC 260). This FSP states that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are participating securities and must be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under this FSP, our unvested restricted stock grants are now considered participating securities. The two-class method requires our earnings to be allocated between our common shareholders and the holders of our unvested restricted stock grants. Upon adoption, we retrospectively recomputed earnings per common share for all periods presented, which did not have a material effect on the earnings per common share we reported historically. The changes in the earnings per common share presented in these financial statements as compared to amounts previously presented are the result of the adoption of FSP APB 14-1.

        Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted FSP Financial Accounting Standard ("FAS") 157-4, "Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly" (ASC 820). This FSP

7

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation (Continued)

provides guidelines for ensuring that fair value measurements are consistent with the principles presented in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" (ASC 820). The adoption of this FSP has not had a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

        Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted FSP FAS 115-2 and FAS 124-2, "Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments" (ASC 320). This FSP provides additional guidance designed to create greater clarity and consistency in accounting for and presenting impairment losses on securities. The adoption of this FSP has not had a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

        In October 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") Number 2009-13, "Revenue Recognition (ASC 605) Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force." This ASU establishes a new selling price hierarchy to use when allocating the sales price of a multiple element arrangement between delivered and undelivered elements. This ASU is generally expected to result in revenue recognition for more delivered elements than under current rules. We are required to adopt this ASU prospectively for new or materially modified agreements as of January 1, 2011. We are evaluating the impact of this ASU, but do not expect adoption to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Note 2: Earnings Per Common Share

        Basic earnings per common share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if certain outstanding stock options are exercised and certain performance shares require payout in common stock.

8

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 2: Earnings Per Common Share (Continued)

        The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per common share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009		2008		2009		2008
		(Dollars in millions except per share amounts, shares in thousands)
Net income allocated to common shareholders		$	135	$	144	$	550	$	473
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding			1,711,954		1,713,127		1,707,354		1,739,441
Dilutive effect of options with strike prices equal to or less than the average price of our common stock, calculated using the treasury stock method			512		363		470		2,401
Dilutive effect of performance shares			7,036		255		5,581		86
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			1,719,502		1,713,745		1,713,405		1,741,928
Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.08	$	0.08	$	0.32	$	0.27
	Diluted	$	0.08	$	0.08	$	0.32	$	0.27

        We had weighted average unvested restricted stock grants outstanding of approximately 13 million shares and 12 million shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and 8 million shares and 7 million shares during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. These shares were excluded from the earnings per common share calculation, and these shareholders have their own earnings per share calculation whereby they were allocated net income of approximately $1 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. For purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, these shares were allocated net income of approximately $1 million and $2 million, respectively.

9

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 2: Earnings Per Common Share (Continued)

        The following is a summary of the securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share, but have been excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009		2008		2009		2008
	(Shares in thousands)
Outstanding options to purchase common stock excluded because the strike prices of the options exceeded the average price of common stock during the period		50,739		66,489		50,748		53,745
Outstanding options to purchase common stock excluded because the market-based vesting conditions have not been met		2,083		2,083		2,083		2,083
Other outstanding instruments excluded because the impact would have been antidilutive		2,217		1,678		2,653		437

        The above table does not include the potential dilutive effects of the equity premium on our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes, which were not convertible as of September 30, 2009. The number of shares we would have to issue upon conversion of this debt is determined by a formula that uses our stock price as a major input as described in Note 5—Borrowings; however, there was no dilutive impact for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Note 3: Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, certain of our current and non-current investments (consisting of auction rate securities and an investment fund), accounts receivable, accounts payable, interest rate hedges and long-term notes including the current portion. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, auction rate securities, the investment fund, accounts receivable, accounts payable and interest rate hedges approximate their fair values. The carrying value of our long-term notes including the current portion reflects original cost net of unamortized discounts and other and was $14.016 billion as of September 30, 2009. For additional information, see Note 5—Borrowings.

        Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value and then we rank the estimated values based on the reliability of the inputs used following the fair value hierarchy set forth by the FASB.

10

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 3: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

        The table below presents the fair values for certain of our current and non-current investments, interest rate hedges and long-term notes including the current portion, as well as the input levels used to determine these fair values as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

				Fair value as of
		Level		September 30, 2009		December 31, 2008
				(Dollars in millions)
Assets:
	Auction rate securities		3	$	93	$	90
	Investment fund		3		4		20
	Fair value hedges		3		2		—
Total assets				$	99	$	110
Liabilities:
	Long-term notes, including the current portion		1 & 2	$	13,756	$	11,043
	Cash flow hedges		3		5		8
Total liabilities				$	13,761	$	11,051

        The three levels of the FASB fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Input Level	Description of Input
Level 1	Inputs are based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
Level 2	Inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3	Inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management's estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.

        We determined the fair value of our auction rate securities using a discounted cash flow model that takes into consideration the interest rate of the securities, the probability that we will be able to sell the securities in an auction or that the securities will be redeemed early, the probability that a default will occur and its severity, a discount rate and other factors.

        We determined the fair value of our investment fund based on the asset values of the securities underlying the fund.

11

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 3: Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Continued)

        We determined the fair value of our interest rate hedges using projected future cash flows, discounted at the mid-market implied forward London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). For additional information on our derivative financial instruments, see Note 6—Derivative Financial Instruments.

        We determined the fair values of our long-term notes including the current portion based on quoted market prices where available or, if not available, based on discounted future cash flows using current market interest rates.

        The table below presents a rollforward of the instruments valued using Level 3 inputs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

			Instruments Valued Using Level 3 Inputs
			Auction rate securities		Investment fund			Fair value hedges		Cash flow hedges
			(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2008			$	90	$	20		$	—	$	(8	)
	Transfers into (out of) Level 3			—		—			—		—
	Additions			3		—			—		—
	Dispositions			—		(17	)		—		—
	Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
		Included in long-term debt		—		—			2		—
		Included in other (expense) income—net		—		1			—		—
		Included in other comprehensive income		—		—			—		3
Balance at September 30, 2009			$	93	$	4		$	2	$	(5	)

Note 4: Investments

        As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, our investments included auction rate securities of $93 million and $90 million, respectively, which are classified as non-current, available-for-sale investments and are included in other non-current assets at their estimated fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Auction rate securities are generally long-term debt instruments that provide liquidity through a Dutch auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at pre-determined calendar intervals, generally every 28 days. This mechanism generally allows existing investors to rollover their holdings and continue to own their respective securities or liquidate their holdings by selling their securities at par value. Prior to August 2007, we invested in these securities for short periods of time as part of our cash management program. However, the uncertainties in the credit markets have prevented us and other investors from liquidating holdings of these securities in auctions since the third quarter of 2007. These securities:

•

are structured obligations of special purpose reinsurance entities associated with life insurance companies and are referred to as "Triple X" securities;

•

currently pay interest every 28 days at one-month LIBOR plus 200 basis points;

12

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 4: Investments (Continued)

•

are rated A;

•

are insured against loss of principal and interest by two bond insurers, one of which had a credit rating of BB+ at September 30, 2009, and the other of which was not rated at that date;

•

are collateralized by the issuers; and

•

mature between 2033 and 2036.

        We recorded an immaterial amount of unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income taxes, on these auction rate securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. The cumulative unrealized loss, net of deferred income taxes, related to these securities was $17 million at both September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. These unrealized losses were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The cost basis of these securities was $120 million and $117 million as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. We consider the decline in fair value to be a temporary impairment because we believe it is more likely than not that we will ultimately recover the entire $120 million cost basis, in part because the securities are rated investment grade, the securities are fully collateralized and the issuers continue to make required interest payments. At some point in the future, we may determine that the decline in fair value is other than temporary if, among other factors, the issuers cease making required interest payments or if we believe it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell these securities before their values recover. If the issuers cease making required interest payments, we would recognize the portion of the other-than-temporary decline in fair value that is due to credit loss in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. If we believe that we will be required to sell these securities before their values recover, we would recognize the entire other-than-temporary decline in fair value in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Because we are uncertain as to when the liquidity issues relating to these investments will improve, we continued to classify these securities as non-current as of September 30, 2009.

13

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 5: Borrowings

        As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, our long-term borrowings, net of unamortized discounts and other, consisted of the following:

		September 30, 2009		December 31, 2008
		(Dollars in millions)
Current portion of long-term borrowings:
	Long-term notes	$	903	$	792
	Long-term capital lease and other obligations		22		28
Total current portion of long-term borrowings			925		820
Long-term borrowings:
	Long-term notes		13,113		12,673
	Long-term capital lease and other obligations		97		62
Total long-term borrowings—net			13,210		12,735
Total long-term borrowings—net, including current portion		$	14,135	$	13,555

        We were in compliance with all provisions and covenants of our borrowings as of September 30, 2009.

        Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted FSP APB 14-1 (ASC 470). This FSP requires issuers of convertible debt that may be settled fully or partially in cash upon conversion to account separately for the liability and equity components of the convertible debt. The carrying amount of the equity component of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes was $164 million as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the liability component of these notes had a principal amount of $1.265 billion at both dates; an unamortized discount value of $64 million and $104 million, respectively; and a net carrying amount of $1.201 billion and $1.161 billion, respectively. The remaining discount will be amortized over the next 13 months. The effective interest rate on our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes is 8.77%. The interest expense, inclusive of the 3.50% coupon and amortization of the discount and debt issuance costs, recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $26 million and $77 million, respectively. The interest expense, inclusive of the 3.50% coupon and amortization of the discount and debt issuance costs, recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $25 million and $73 million, respectively.

        The holders of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes have the option to require us to repurchase their notes for cash every five years on November 15, beginning in 2010, and receive cash from us equal to the par value of the notes. We believe that, if the trading price of our common stock is below the conversion price on November 15, 2010, the likelihood of holders requiring us to repurchase their notes will increase the more the conversion price exceeds the trading price of our common stock. The conversion value of the notes as of September 30, 2009 was calculated by using the current conversion rate of 195.3085 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes or a conversion price of $5.12, adjusted

14

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 5: Borrowings (Continued)

for certain events, including the payment of dividends, as described in the indenture governing the notes.

Repayment

        On August 3, 2009, our wholly owned subsidiary, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc ("QCF"), paid at maturity $562 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.0% Notes due 2009.

        On January 2, 2009, we redeemed $230 million aggregate principal amount of our Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2009.

New Issuance

        In September 2009, we issued $550 million of 8.00% Senior Notes due 2015. We are using the net proceeds of $532 million for general corporate purposes, including repayment of indebtedness and funding and refinancing investments in our telecommunication assets.

        In April 2009, our wholly owned subsidiary, Qwest Corporation ("QC"), issued approximately $811 million of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2016. QC is using the net proceeds of $738 million for general corporate purposes, including repayment of indebtedness and funding and refinancing investments in its telecommunication assets.

Credit Facility

        In April 2009, in connection with the addition of a new lender to our revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility"), the amount available to us under the Credit Facility increased from $850 million to $910 million. In July 2009, in connection with a $35 million increase in commitment by an existing lender to the Credit Facility, the amount available to us under the Credit Facility increased from $910 million to $945 million. The Credit Facility is currently undrawn and expires in October 2010. Any amounts drawn on the Credit Facility are guaranteed by our wholly owned subsidiary, Qwest Services Corporation ("QSC"), and are secured by a senior lien on the stock of QC.

Note 6: Derivative Financial Instruments

        We sometimes use derivative financial instruments, specifically interest rate swap contracts, to manage interest rate risks. We execute these instruments with financial institutions we deem creditworthy and monitor our exposure to these counterparties. An interest rate hedge is generally designated as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. In a cash flow hedge, a borrower of variable interest debt agrees with another party to make fixed payments equivalent to paying fixed rate interest on debt in exchange for receiving payments from the other party equivalent to receiving variable rate interest on debt, the effect of which is to eliminate some portion of the variability in the borrower's overall cash flows. In a fair value hedge, a borrower of fixed rate debt agrees with another party to make variable payments equivalent to paying variable rate interest on the debt in exchange for receiving fixed payments from the other party equivalent to receiving fixed rate interest on debt, the

15

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 6: Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)

effect of which is to eliminate some portion of the variability in the fair value of the borrower's overall debt portfolio due to changes in interest rates.

        We recognize all derivatives on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. We generally designate the derivative as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge on the date on which we enter into the derivative instrument.

        For a derivative that is designated as and meets all of the required criteria for a cash flow hedge, we record in accumulated other comprehensive loss on our condensed consolidated balance sheets any changes in the fair value of the derivative. We then reclassify these amounts into earnings as the underlying hedged item affects earnings. In addition, if there are any changes in the fair value of the derivative arising from ineffectiveness of the cash flow hedging relationship, we record those amounts immediately in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. For a derivative that is designated as and meets all of the required criteria for a fair value hedge, we record in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations the changes in fair value of the derivative and the underlying hedged item. However, if the terms of this type of derivative match the terms of the underlying hedged item such that we qualify to assume no ineffectiveness, then the fair value of the derivative is measured and the change in the fair value for the period is assumed to equal the change in the fair value of the underlying hedged item for the period, with no impact in other expense (income)—net.

        We assess quarterly whether each derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item or whether our initial assumption of no ineffectiveness is still valid. If we determine that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, a derivative has ceased to be a highly effective hedge or our assumption of no ineffectiveness is no longer valid, then we discontinue hedge accounting with respect to that derivative prospectively. We record immediately in earnings changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges.

Interest Rate Hedges

        During 2009 and 2008, we entered into the interest rate hedges described below as part of our short-term and long-term debt strategies. One objective of our short-term debt strategy is to take advantage of favorable interest rates by swapping floating interest rate debt to fixed interest rate debt using cash flow hedges. One objective of our long-term debt strategy is to achieve a more balanced ratio of fixed to floating interest rate debt by swapping a portion of our fixed interest rate debt to floating interest rate debt through fair value hedges. This decreases our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed interest rate debt due to changes in interest rates.

        We evaluate counterparty credit risk before entering into any hedge transaction. Thereafter, we continue to closely monitor the financial market and the risk that our counterparties will default on their obligations to us. We are prepared to unwind these hedge transactions if our counterparties' credit risk becomes unacceptable to us.

        In August 2009, QC entered into interest rate hedges on $400 million of the outstanding $1.500 billion aggregate principal amount of its 8.875% Notes due in 2012. The hedges have the

16

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 6: Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)

economic effect of converting QC fixed interest rate debt to a floating interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus 7.0575% until maturity. QC designated the interest rates swaps as fair value hedges. The terms of these hedges match the terms of the underlying debt such that we assume no ineffectiveness of the fair value hedging relationship and recognize the fair value of the hedge with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of the debt.

        In March 2008, QC entered into interest rate hedges on $500 million of the outstanding $750 million aggregate principal amount of its Floating Rate Notes due 2013. The notes bear interest at a rate per year equal to LIBOR plus 3.25%. These hedges have the economic effect of converting QC's floating interest rate to fixed interest rates of approximately 6.0% for a term of approximately two years. QC designated these interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. We did not recognize any gain or loss in earnings for hedge ineffectiveness for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

        In March 2008, QC also entered into interest rate hedges on the outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.5% Notes due 2017. These hedges had the economic effect of converting QC's fixed interest rate to a floating interest rate until these notes mature in 2017. QC designated these interest rate swaps as fair value hedges. QC terminated these hedges in the fourth quarter of 2008.

        We valued the interest rate hedges using projected future cash flows, discounted at mid-market implied forward LIBOR. We determined this valuation excluding accrued interest.

        The balance sheet location and fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments as of September 30, 2009 are set forth below:

	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance sheet location	Fair value		Balance sheet location	Fair value
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash flow hedging contracts	Other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	5
Fair value hedging contracts	Other non-current assets	$	2	Other non-current liabilities	$	—

        The fair value of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments as of December 31, 2008 is described below:

	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance sheet location	Fair value		Balance sheet location	Fair value
	(Dollars in millions)
Cash flow hedging contracts	Other non-current assets	$	—	Other non-current liabilities	$	8
Fair value hedging contracts	Other non-current assets	$	—	Other non-current liabilities	$	—

        For additional information on the fair value of our financial instruments, see Note 3—Fair Value of Financial Instruments.

17

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 6: Derivative Financial Instruments (Continued)

        The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships		Three Months Ended September 30, 2009	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
		(Dollars in millions)
Interest rate contracts:
	Amount of gain recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative (effective portion), net of deferred taxes of $1 for both periods	$  1	$  2
	Location of amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income (effective portion)	Interest expense—net	Interest expense—net
	Amount of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into interest expense (effective portion), net of deferred taxes of $1 and $2, respectively	$  1	$  3
	Location of amount recognized in income on derivative (ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing)	Not Applicable	Not Applicable
	Amount recognized in income on derivative (ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing)	$—	$—

Note 7: Severance and Restructuring

Severance

        For the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we recorded severance expenses of $11 million and $63 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we recorded severance expenses of $57 million and $110 million, respectively. A portion of our severance expenses is included in each of cost of sales, selling expenses and general, administrative and other operating expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. We have not included any severance expenses in our segment expenses. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, our severance liability was $47 million and $56 million, respectively. We expect to pay substantially all of our accrued severance expenses during the next 12 months.

Restructuring

        During 2004 and previous years, as part of our ongoing efforts to evaluate our operating costs, we established restructuring programs, which included workforce reductions, consolidation of excess facilities, and restructuring of certain business functions. As of September 30, 2009, the remaining restructuring reserve for these programs related to leases for real estate that we ceased using in prior periods and consisted of our estimates of amounts to be paid for these leases in excess of our estimates

18

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 7: Severance and Restructuring (Continued)

of any sublease revenue we may collect. We expect this reserve will be used over the remaining lease terms, which range from 0.3 to 16.3 years, with a weighted average of 12.4 years.

        The remaining reserve balances are included on our condensed consolidated balance sheets in accrued expenses and other current liabilities for the current portion and other long-term liabilities for the long-term portion. The provisions, reversals, and adjustments are included in general, administrative and other expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. We have not included any restructuring expenses in our segment expenses.

        The following table presents the details of our real estate restructuring reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

		Real Estate Restructuring
		(Dollars in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2008		$	226
	Provisions		—
	Utilization		(16	)
	Reversals and adjustments		1
Balance at September 30, 2009		$	211

Note 8: Employee Benefits

        The components of net periodic benefits expense for our pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are detailed below:

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		Pension Plan						Non-Qualified Pension Plan				Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
		2009			2008			2009		2008		2009			2008
		(Dollars in millions)
Net periodic benefits expense:
	Service cost	$	26		$	26		$	—	$	—	$	2		$	1
	Interest cost		126			126			1		—		54			57
	Expected return on plan assets		(141	)		(160	)		—		—		(17	)		(31	)
	Recognized prior service cost		—			(1	)		—		—		(25	)		(26	)
	Recognized net actuarial loss		19			2			—		—		8			1
Total net periodic benefits expense (income)		$	30		$	(7	)	$	1	$	—	$	22		$	2

19

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 8: Employee Benefits (Continued)

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		Pension Plan						Non-Qualified Pension Plan				Post-Retirement Benefit Plans
		2009			2008			2009		2008		2009			2008
		(Dollars in millions)
Net periodic benefits expense:
	Service cost	$	78		$	87		$	1	$	1	$	6		$	7
	Interest cost		379			372			2		1		161			170
	Expected return on plan assets		(424	)		(486	)		—		—		(51	)		(93	)
	Recognized prior service cost		—			(4	)		—		—		(75	)		(78	)
	Recognized net actuarial loss		56			2			1		3		23			8
Total net periodic benefits expense (income)		$	89		$	(29	)	$	4	$	5	$	64		$	14

        The net periodic benefits expense for our pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plans is recorded in general, administrative and other operating expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The measurement date used to determine pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefits is December 31; however, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 we recorded adjustments to the net periodic benefits expense due primarily to adjustments to our estimates of the fair value of certain investments held by our plan trusts that were estimated based on previously available preliminary information at December 31, 2008.

        In May 2009, we modified our target allocations for post-retirement benefit plan assets to 35% equity, 50% fixed income, 5% real estate and 10% other in order to reduce volatility in the portfolio. In conjunction with this modification, we expect our long-term rate of return on plan assets to decrease; however, we do not believe this decrease will materially change our forecast of when the post-retirement benefit plan assets will be depleted.

Note 9: Tax Matters

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we reduced our income tax expense by $108 million and during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 we reduced our income tax expense by $18 million due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits and settlements of uncertain tax positions that are discrete to those periods. The benefits recorded for previously unrecognized tax positions were the result of increases in the amount of benefit that we believe is more likely than not to be sustained on various individual tax positions.

        We had unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2009 of $236 million, which was a net decrease of $198 million from the balance at December 31, 2008. This net decrease was due to a decrease of $221 million relating to the elimination of unrecognized tax benefits as the result of settlements and a decrease of $114 million primarily relating to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits discussed above, partially offset by an increase of $137 million for activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 relating to tax positions originally taken by us in prior years for which the full benefit has not been recognized. Approximately $58 million of the $236 million unrecognized tax benefits we had at September 30, 2009 could affect our effective tax rate as these

20

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 9: Tax Matters (Continued)

positions would permanently decrease the cumulative amount that we would ever have to pay the taxing authorities. The remaining unrecognized tax benefits would not affect our effective tax rate as these benefits relate to the timing of deductions and would not impact the cumulative amount that we would ever have to pay the taxing authorities.

Note 10: Comprehensive Income

        Comprehensive income includes the amortization of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans, changes in the fair value and related amortization of certain financial derivative instruments (which qualify for hedge accounting) and unrealized gains and losses on certain investments. The components of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are detailed below:

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
		(Dollars in millions)
Net income		$	136		$	145		$	554		$	475
Other comprehensive (loss) income—net of deferred taxes:
	Post-retirement benefit plans—net		(13	)		(15	)		(38	)		(46	)
	Pension—net		8			—			31			—
	Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments—net		2			(2	)		5			2
	Unrealized gain (loss) on auction rate securities and other—net		1			(7	)		2			(11	)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income—net of deferred taxes			(2	)		(24	)		—			(55	)
Comprehensive income		$	134		$	121		$	554		$	420

Note 11: Segment Information

        Our operating revenue is generated from our business markets, mass markets and wholesale markets segments. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM") regularly reviews information for each of our segments to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. The accounting principles used to determine segment results are the same as those used in our condensed consolidated financial statements. We have reclassified certain prior year segment revenue and expense amounts presented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 to conform to the current period presentation and to the presentation of our 2008 results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

21

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 11: Segment Information (Continued)

        Segment income consists of each segment's revenue and expenses. The following table summarizes segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009			2008			2009			2008
		(Dollars in millions)
Total segment revenue		$	2,958		$	3,286		$	9,051		$	9,895
Total segment expense			1,417			1,782			4,359			5,233
Total segment income		$	1,541		$	1,504		$	4,692		$	4,662
Total segment margin percentage			52	%		46	%		52	%		47	%
Business markets:
	Revenue	$	1,032		$	1,044		$	3,068		$	3,049
	Expense		623			675			1,855			1,924
	Income	$	409		$	369		$	1,213		$	1,125
	Margin percentage		40	%		35	%		40	%		37	%
Mass markets:
	Revenue	$	1,226		$	1,426		$	3,819		$	4,364
	Expense		553			751			1,731			2,239
	Income	$	673		$	675		$	2,088		$	2,125
	Margin percentage		55	%		47	%		55	%		49	%
Wholesale markets:
	Revenue	$	700		$	816		$	2,164		$	2,482
	Expense		241			356			773			1,070
	Income	$	459		$	460		$	1,391		$	1,412
	Margin percentage		66	%		56	%		64	%		57	%

22

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 11: Segment Information (Continued)

        The following table reconciles segment income to net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
	(Dollars in millions)
Total segment income	$	1,541		$	1,504		$	4,692		$	4,662
Other revenue (primarily USF surcharges)		96			93			266			265
Unassigned expenses (primarily general and administrative)		(571	)		(544	)		(1,701	)		(1,636	)
Depreciation and amortization		(581	)		(599	)		(1,732	)		(1,753	)
Total other expense—net		(274	)		(236	)		(799	)		(777	)
Income tax expense		(75	)		(73	)		(172	)		(286	)
Net income	$	136		$	145		$	554		$	475

        The following table summarizes revenue derived from external customers among five categories of our products and services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

			Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2009		2008		2009		2008
			(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue by category:
	Strategic and legacy services:
		Strategic(1)	$	1,051	$	1,005	$	3,142	$	2,948
		Legacy(2)		1,734		2,007		5,392		6,169
	Total strategic and legacy services			2,785		3,012		8,534		9,117
	Qwest-branded wireless products and services(3)			20		116		108		370
	Data integration(4)			153		158		409		408
	Total segment revenue			2,958		3,286		9,051		9,895
	Other revenue (primarily USF surcharges)			96		93		266		265
Total operating revenue			$	3,054	$	3,379	$	9,317	$	10,160

(1)

Our strategic services are primarily private line, broadband, Qwest iQ Networking®, hosting, video, VoIP and Verizon Wireless services.

(2)

Our legacy services are primarily local, long distance, access, traditional WAN, ISDN, and other more traditional telecommunications services.

(3)

Our Qwest-branded wireless products and services are wireless products and services that we provide through our mass markets segment under a pre-existing arrangement with a different wireless provider. This arrangement will end on October 31, 2009.

23

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 11: Segment Information (Continued)

(4)

Data integration is telecommunications equipment located on customers' premises and related professional services. These services include network management, installation and maintenance of data equipment and building of proprietary fiber-optic broadband networks for our governmental and business customers.

Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies

        Throughout this note, when we refer to a class action as "putative" it is because a class has been alleged, but not certified in that matter. Until and unless a class has been certified by the court, it has not been established that the named plaintiffs represent the class of plaintiffs they purport to represent. Settlement classes have been certified in connection with the settlements of certain of the putative class actions described below where the courts held that the named plaintiffs represented the settlement class they purported to represent.

        To the extent appropriate, we have provided reserves for each of the matters described below.

        The terms and conditions of applicable bylaws, certificates or articles of incorporation, agreements or applicable law may obligate us to indemnify our former directors, officers or employees with respect to certain of the matters described below, and we have been advancing legal fees and costs to certain former directors, officers or employees in connection with certain matters described below.

KPNQwest Litigation/Investigation

        On January 27, 2009, the trustees in the Dutch bankruptcy proceeding for KPNQwest, N.V. (of which we were a major shareholder) filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the District of Colorado alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and breach of duty and mismanagement under Dutch law. We are a defendant in this lawsuit along with Joseph P. Nacchio, our former chief executive officer, Robert S. Woodruff, our former chief financial officer, and John McMaster, the former president and chief executive officer of KPNQwest. Plaintiffs allege, among other things, that defendants' actions were a cause of the bankruptcy of KPNQwest, and they seek damages for the bankruptcy deficit of KPNQwest of approximately $2.4 billion. Plaintiffs also seek treble and punitive damages as well as an award of plaintiffs' attorneys' fees and costs. A lawsuit asserting the same claims that was previously filed in the federal district court for the District of New Jersey was dismissed without prejudice, and that dismissal was affirmed on appeal.

        On September 13, 2006, Cargill Financial Markets, Plc and Citibank, N.A. filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Amsterdam, located in the Netherlands, against us, KPN Telecom B.V., Koninklijke KPN N.V. ("KPN"), Mr. Nacchio, Mr. McMaster, and other former employees or supervisory board members of us, KPNQwest or KPN. The lawsuit alleges that defendants misrepresented KPNQwest's financial and business condition in connection with the origination of a credit facility and wrongfully allowed KPNQwest to borrow funds under that facility. Plaintiffs allege damages of approximately €219 million (or approximately $320 million based on the exchange rate on September 30, 2009).

        On October 31, 2002, Richard and Marcia Grand, co-trustees of the R.M. Grand Revocable Living Trust, dated January 25, 1991, filed a lawsuit in Arizona Superior Court. As amended and following the

24

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

appeal of a partial summary judgment against plaintiffs which was affirmed in part and reversed in part, plaintiffs allege, among other things, that defendants violated state securities laws in connection with plaintiffs' investments in KPNQwest securities. We are a defendant in this lawsuit along with Qwest B.V. (one of our subsidiaries), Mr. Nacchio and Mr. McMaster. The Arizona Superior Court dismissed most of plaintiffs' claims, and plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the remainder of their claims. Plaintiffs appealed the court's decision to the Arizona Court of Appeals, which affirmed the Arizona Superior Court's decision. Plaintiffs claim to have lost approximately $9 million in their investments in KPNQwest, and are also seeking interest and attorneys' fees.

        On August 23, 2005, the Dutch Shareholders Association (Vereniging van Effectenbezitters, or VEB) filed a petition for inquiry with the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeals, located in the Netherlands, with regard to KPNQwest. VEB sought an inquiry into the policies and course of business at KPNQwest that are alleged to have caused the bankruptcy of KPNQwest in May 2002, and an investigation into alleged mismanagement of KPNQwest by its executive management, supervisory board members, joint venture entities (us and KPN), and KPNQwest's outside auditors and accountants. On December 28, 2006, the Enterprise Chamber ordered an inquiry into the management and conduct of affairs of KPNQwest for the period January 1 through May 23, 2002. On December 5, 2008, the Enterprise Chamber appointed investigators to conduct the inquiry.

        We will continue to defend against the pending KPNQwest litigation matters vigorously.

Other Matters

        Several putative class actions relating to the installation of fiber optic cable in certain rights-of-way were filed against us on behalf of landowners on various dates and in various courts in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. For the most part, the complaints challenge our right to install our fiber optic cable in railroad rights-of-way. Complaints in Colorado, Illinois and Texas, also challenge our right to install fiber optic cable in utility and pipeline rights-of-way. The complaints allege that the railroads, utilities and pipeline companies own the right-of-way as an easement that did not include the right to permit us to install our fiber optic cable in the right-of-way without the plaintiffs' consent. Most actions (California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas) purport to be brought on behalf of state-wide classes in the named plaintiffs' respective states. The Massachusetts action purports to be on behalf of state-wide classes in all states in which Qwest has fiber optic cable in railroad rights-of-way (other than Louisiana and Tennessee), and also on behalf of two classes of landowners whose properties adjoin railroad rights-of-way originally derived from federal land grants. Several actions purport to be brought on behalf of multi-state classes. The Illinois state court action purports to be on behalf of landowners in Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. The Illinois federal court action purports to be on behalf of landowners in Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana and Oregon. The Indiana action purports to be on behalf of a national class of landowners adjacent to railroad rights-of-way over which our network passes. The complaints seek damages on theories of trespass and unjust enrichment, as well as punitive damages. On July 18, 2008, a federal district court in Massachusetts entered an order preliminarily approving a settlement of all of

25

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies (Continued)

the actions described above, except the action pending in Tennessee. On September 10, 2009, the court denied final approval of the settlement on grounds that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction. A motion for reconsideration is pending before the court.

        Qwest Communications Company, LLC ("QCC") is a defendant in litigation filed by several billing agents for the owners of payphones seeking compensation for coinless calls made from payphones. The matter is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Generally, the payphone owners claim that QCC underpaid the amount of compensation due to them under Federal Communications Commission regulations for coinless calls placed from their phones onto QCC's network. The claim seeks compensation for calls, as well as interest and attorneys' fees. QCC will vigorously defend against this action.

        A putative class action filed on behalf of certain of our retirees was brought against us, the Qwest Group Life Insurance Plan and other related entities in federal district court in Colorado in connection with our decision to reduce the life insurance benefit for these retirees to a $10,000 benefit. The action was filed on March 30, 2007. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that we and other defendants were obligated to continue their life insurance benefit at the levels in place before we decided to reduce them. Plaintiffs seek restoration of the life insurance benefit to previous levels and certain equitable relief. The district court ruled in our favor on the central issue of whether we properly reserved our right to reduce the life insurance benefit under applicable law and plan documents. The plaintiffs subsequently amended their complaint to assert additional claims. The court has since dismissed or granted summary judgment to us on all of the plaintiffs' claims.

Note 13: Dividends

        Our Board of Directors declared the following dividends payable in 2009:

Date Declared	Record Date	Dividend Per Share		Total Amount		Payment Date
				(in millions)
December 10, 2008	February 13, 2009	$	0.08	$	137	March 6, 2009
April 15, 2009	May 22, 2009	$	0.08	$	137	June 12, 2009
July 27, 2009	August 21, 2009	$	0.08	$	138	September 11, 2009
October 14, 2009	November 20, 2009	$	0.08	$	138	December 11, 2009

Note 14: Financial Statements of Guarantors

        QCII and two of its subsidiaries, QCF and QSC, guarantee the payment of certain of each other's registered debt securities. As of September 30, 2009, QCII had outstanding a total of $1.825 billion aggregate principal amount of registered senior notes that were issued in February 2004 and June 2005 and that are guaranteed by QCF and QSC (the "QCII Guaranteed Notes"). These notes are guaranteed through their respective maturity dates, the latest of which is in February 2014. Each series of QCF's outstanding notes totaling $2.185 billion in aggregate principal amount is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by QCII (the "QCF Guaranteed Notes"). These notes are guaranteed through their respective maturity dates, the latest of which is in February 2031. The guarantees are full and

26

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

(Unaudited)

Note 14: Financial Statements of Guarantors (Continued)

unconditional and joint and several. A significant amount of QCII's and QSC's income and cash flow are generated by their subsidiaries. As a result, the funds necessary to meet their debt service or guarantee obligations are provided in large part by distributions or advances from their subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2009, QCII also had outstanding $550 million aggregate principal amount of unregistered senior notes that were issued in September 2009 and that are guaranteed by QCF and QSC. For additional information, see Note 5—Borrowings.

        The following information sets forth our condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, our condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, and our condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008. The information for QCII is presented on a stand-alone basis, information for QSC and QCF is presented on a combined basis and information for all of our other subsidiaries is presented on a combined basis. Each entity's investments in its subsidiaries, if any, are presented under the equity method. The condensed consolidating statements of operations and balance sheets include the effects of consolidating adjustments to our subsidiaries' tax provisions and the related income tax assets and liabilities in the QSC and QCII results. Both QSC and QCF are 100% owned by QCII, and QCF is a finance subsidiary of QCII. Other than as already described in this note, the accounting principles used to determine the amounts reported in this note are the same as those used in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

        The effects of our adoption of FSP APB 14-1 (ASC 470) , which relates to the accounting for convertible debt, are reflected in all columns except for the "Subsidiary Non-Guarantors" column in the financial statements that follow. We periodically restructure the internal capital structure of our subsidiaries based on the needs of our business.

27

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)			Subsidiary Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue:
	Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	3,054		$	—		$	3,054
	Operating revenue—affiliates		—			(1	)		7			(6	)		—
Total operating revenue			—			(1	)		3,061			(6	)		3,054
Operating expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		—			—			932			—			932
	Selling		—			—			460			—			460
	General, administrative and other operating		14			(1	)		583			—			596
	Affiliates		—			—			6			(6	)		—
	Depreciation and amortization		—			—			581			—			581
Total operating expenses			14			(1	)		2,562			(6	)		2,569
Other expense (income)—net:
	Interest expense—net		65			44			165			—			274
	Interest expense—affiliates		1			92			—			(93	)		—
	Interest income—affiliates		—			(92	)		(1	)		93			—
	Other—net		(1	)		16			(15	)		—			—
	(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries		(197	)		(159	)		—			356			—
Total other (income) expense—net			(132	)		(99	)		149			356			274
Income before income taxes			118			99			350			(356	)		211
Income tax benefit (expense)			18			98			(191	)		—			(75	)
Net income (loss)		$	136		$	197		$	159		$	(356	)	$	136

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

28

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)			Subsidiary Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue:
	Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	3,379		$	—		$	3,379
	Operating revenue—affiliates		—			6			12			(18	)		—
Total operating revenue			—			6			3,391			(18	)		3,379
Operating expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		—			—			1,232			—			1,232
	Selling		—			—			575			—			575
	General, administrative and other operating		4			4			511			—			519
	Affiliates		—			—			18			(18	)		—
	Depreciation and amortization		—			—			599			—			599
Total operating expenses			4			4			2,935			(18	)		2,925
Other expense (income)—net:
	Interest expense—net		68			51			144			—			263
	Interest expense—affiliates		5			78			212			(295	)		—
	Interest income—affiliates		—			(295	)		—			295			—
	Other—net		(1	)		(20	)		(6	)		—			(27	)
	(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries		(186	)		82			—			104			—
Total other (income) expense—net			(114	)		(104	)		350			104			236
Income before income taxes			110			106			106			(104	)		218
Income tax benefit (expense)			35			76			(184	)		—			(73	)
Net income (loss)		$	145		$	182		$	(78	)	$	(104	)	$	145

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

29

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)			Subsidiary Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue:
	Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	9,317		$	—		$	9,317
	Operating revenue—affiliates		—			—			10			(10	)		—
Total operating revenue			—			—			9,327			(10	)		9,317
Operating expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		—			—			2,794			—			2,794
	Selling		—			—			1,502			—			1,502
	General, administrative and other operating		38			—			1,726			—			1,764
	Operating expenses—affiliates		—			—			10			(10	)		—
	Depreciation and amortization		—			—			1,732			—			1,732
Total operating expenses			38			—			7,764			(10	)		7,792
Other expense (income)—net:
	Interest expense—net		192			145			473			—			810
	Interest expense—affiliates		14			273			297			(584	)		—
	Interest income—affiliates		—			(583	)		(1	)		584			—
	Other—net		(2	)		(12	)		3			—			(11	)
	(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries		(737	)		(196	)		—			933			—
Total other (income) expense—net			(533	)		(373	)		772			933			799
Income before income taxes			495			373			791			(933	)		726
Income tax benefit (expense)			59			372			(603	)		—			(172	)
Net income (loss)		$	554		$	745		$	188		$	(933	)	$	554

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

30

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)			Subsidiary Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue:
	Operating revenue	$	—		$	—		$	10,160		$	—		$	10,160
	Operating revenue—affiliates		—			(3	)		35			(32	)		—
Total operating revenue			—			(3	)		10,195			(32	)		10,160
Operating expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		—			—			3,562			—			3,562
	Selling		—			—			1,657			—			1,657
	General, administrative and other operating		63			(3	)		1,590			—			1,650
	Operating expenses—affiliates		—			—			32			(32	)		—
	Depreciation and amortization		—			—			1,753			—			1,753
Total operating expenses			63			(3	)		8,594			(32	)		8,622
Other expense (income)—net:
	Interest expense—net		204			157			444			—			805
	Interest expense—affiliates		8			188			606			(802	)		—
	Interest income—affiliates		—			(800	)		(2	)		802			—
	Other—net		2			(26	)		(4	)		—			(28	)
	(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries		(647	)		(188	)		—			835			—
Total other (income) expense—net			(433	)		(669	)		1,044			835			777
Income before income taxes			370			669			557			(835	)		761
Income tax benefit (expense)			105			(30	)		(361	)		—			(286	)
Net income (loss)		$	475		$	639		$	196		$	(835	)	$	475

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

31

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)		Subsidiary Non- Guarantors		Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	343		$	498	$	1,233	$	—		$	2,074
	Accounts receivable—net		19			8		1,316		—			1,343
	Accounts receivable—affiliates		696			153		18		(867	)		—
	Notes receivable—affiliates(4)		—			4,755		105		(4,860	)		—
	Deferred income taxes—net		—			337		240		(8	)		569
	Prepaid expenses and other		1			14		364		(18	)		361
Total current assets			1,059			5,765		3,276		(5,753	)		4,347
Property, plant and equipment—net			—			—		12,399		—			12,399
Capitalized software—net			—			—		888		—			888
Investments in subsidiaries(4)			2,223			1,940		—		(4,163	)		—
Deferred income taxes—net			890			2,106		211		(1,204	)		2,003
Prepaid pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits—net—affiliate			2,926			73		981		(3,980	)		—
Other			140			170		412		(134	)		588
Total assets		$	7,238		$	10,054	$	18,167	$	(15,234	)	$	20,225
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term borrowings	$	—		$	403	$	522	$	—		$	925
	Current borrowings—affiliates(4)		105			4,755		—		(4,860	)		—
	Accounts payable		1			3		750		—			754
	Accounts payable—affiliates		17			1		33		(51	)		—
	Accrued expenses and other		278			27		1,065		(15	)		1,355
	Accrued expenses and other—affiliates		—			535		281		(816	)		—
	Deferred income taxes—net		8			—		—		(8	)
	Deferred revenue and advance billings		—			—		550		(3	)		547
Total current liabilities			409			5,724		3,201		(5,753	)		3,581
Long-term borrowings—net			3,522			1,780		7,908		—			13,210
Pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits obligations—net			3,270			—		—		—			3,270
Pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits obligations and other—affiliate			1,054			359		2,567		(3,980	)		—
Deferred income taxes—net			—			—		1,204		(1,204	)		—
Deferred revenue			—			—		502		—			502
Other			14			—		813		(134	)		693
Total liabilities			8,269			7,863		16,195		(11,071	)		21,256
Stockholders' (deficit) equity			(1,031	)		2,191		1,972		(4,163	)		(1,031	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity		$	7,238		$	10,054	$	18,167	$	(15,234	)	$	20,225

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(4)

QSC invested approximately $10.200 billion in a subsidiary non-guarantor by making a cash contribution to capital in the amount of approximately $300 million and assuming $9.900 billion of the subsidiary's current borrowings-affiliate from QCF. In connection with this transaction, QSC and QCF offset $4.400 billion of their respective current borrowings-affiliate and notes receivable-affiliate.

32

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)			Subsidiary Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	307		$	258		$	—		$	565
	Accounts receivable—net		20			1			1,444			—			1,465
	Accounts receivable—affiliates		535			628			22			(1,185	)		—
	Notes receivable—affiliates		—			13,773			117			(13,890	)		—
	Deferred income taxes—net		—			327			253			(8	)		572
	Prepaid expenses and other		—			29			377			(38	)		368
Total current assets			555			15,065			2,471			(15,121	)		2,970
Property, plant and equipment—net			—			—			13,045			—			13,045
Capitalized software—net			—			—			875			—			875
Investments in subsidiaries			2,224			(7,772	)		—			5,548			—
Deferred income taxes—net			886			2,269			275			(1,262	)		2,168
Prepaid pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits—net—affiliate			2,978			84			1,059			(4,121	)		—
Other			525			211			498			(151	)		1,083
Total assets		$	7,168		$	9,857		$	18,223		$	(15,107	)	$	20,141
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term borrowings	$	230		$	562		$	28		$	—		$	820
	Current borrowings—affiliates		145			3,948			9,797			(13,890	)		—
	Accounts payable		—			1			819			—			820
	Accounts payable—affiliates		20			2			130			(152	)		—
	Accrued expenses and other		424			172			1,069			(24	)		1,641
	Accrued expenses and other—affiliates		2			375			656			(1,033	)		—
	Deferred income taxes—net		8			—			—			(8	)		—
	Deferred revenue and advance billings		—			—			586			(14	)		572
Total current liabilities			829			5,060			13,085			(15,121	)		3,853
Long-term borrowings—net			2,935			2,183			7,617			—			12,735
Pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits obligations—net			3,232			—			—			—			3,232
Pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits obligations and other—affiliate			1,143			431			2,547			(4,121	)		—
Deferred income taxes—net			—			—			1,262			(1,262	)		—
Deferred revenue			—			—			519			—			519
Other			415			—			924			(151	)		1,188
Total liabilities			8,554			7,674			25,954			(20,655	)		21,527
Stockholders' (deficit) equity			(1,386	)		2,183			(7,731	)		5,548			(1,386	)
Total liabilities and stockholders' (deficit) equity		$	7,168		$	9,857		$	18,223		$	(15,107	)	$	20,141

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

33

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)			Subsidiary Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
Cash (used for) provided by operating activities		$	(203	)	$	808		$	1,791		$	35		$	2,431
Investing activities:
	Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software		—			—			(1,023	)		—			(1,023	)
	Proceeds from sale of investment securities		—			13			—			—			13
	Changes in interest in investments managed by QSC		(21	)		26			(5	)		—			—
	Net decrease (increase) in short-term affiliate loans		—			168			12			(180	)		—
	Dividends received from subsidiaries		640			1,500			—			(2,140	)		—
	Cash infusion to subsidiaries		—			(869	)		—			869			—
	Other		—			—			(6	)		—			(6	)
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities			619			838			(1,022	)		(1,451	)		(1,016	)
Financing activities:
	Proceeds from long-term borrowings		532			—			738			—			1,270
	Repayments of long-term borrowings, including current maturities		(230	)		(562	)		(27	)		—			(819	)
	Net (repayments of) proceeds from short-term affiliate borrowings		(40	)		(252	)		112			180			—
	Proceeds from issuances of common stock		45			—			—			—			45
	Dividends paid		(412	)		—			—			—			(412	)
	Equity infusion from parent		—			—			869			(869	)		—
	Dividends paid to parent		—			(640	)		(1,500	)		2,140			—
	Other		32			(1	)		14			(35	)		10
Cash (used for) provided by financing activities			(73	)		(1,455	)		206			1,416			94
Cash and cash equivalents:
	Increase in cash and cash equivalents		343			191			975			—			1,509
	Beginning balance		—			307			258			—			565
Ending balance		$	343		$	498		$	1,233		$	—		$	2,074

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

34

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

		QCII(1)			QSC(2) & QCF(3)			Subsidiary Non- Guarantors			Eliminations			QCII Consolidated
		(Dollars in millions)
Cash (used for) provided by operating activities		$	(366	)	$	753		$	1,607		$	29		$	2,023
Investing activities:
	Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software		—			—			(1,416	)		—			(1,416	)
	Proceeds from sale of investment securities		—			56			—			—			56
	Changes in interest in investments managed by QSC		23			12			(35	)		—			—
	Cash infusion to subsidiaries		—			(1,271	)		—			1,271			—
	Net (increase) decrease in short-term affiliate loans		—			(1,838	)		(2	)		1,840			—
	Dividends received from subsidiaries		1,040			1,800			—			(2,840	)		—
	Other		—			4			13			—			17
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities			1,063			(1,237	)		(1,440	)		271			(1,343	)
Financing activities:
	Repayments of long-term borrowings, including current maturities		—			(171	)		(34	)		—			(205	)
	Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term affiliate borrowings		6			1,460			374			(1,840	)		—
	Proceeds from issuances of common stock		31			—			—			—			31
	Dividends paid		(420	)		—			—			—			(420	)
	Repurchases of common stock		(432	)		—			—			—			(432	)
	Equity infusion from parent		—			—			1,271			(1,271	)		—
	Dividends paid to parent		—			(1,040	)		(1,800	)		2,840			—
	Other		28			(1	)		32			(29	)		30
Cash (used for) provided by financing activities			(787	)		248			(157	)		(300	)		(996	)
Cash and cash equivalents:
	(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(90	)		(236	)		10			—			(316	)
	Beginning balance		90			481			331			—			902
Ending balance		$	—		$	245		$	341		$	—		$	586

(1)

QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.

(2)

QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

(3)

QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

35

ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to "Qwest," "we," "us," the "Company" and "our" refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to "QCII" refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. on an unconsolidated, stand-alone basis.

        Certain statements in this report constitute forward-looking statements. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" at the end of this Item 2 for additional factors relating to these statements, and see "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part II of this report for a discussion of certain risk factors applicable to our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Business Overview and Presentation

        We provide data, Internet, video and voice services nationwide and globally. We generate the majority of our revenue from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area.

        Our analysis presented below is organized to provide the information we believe will be useful for understanding the relevant trends going forward. However, this discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

        Our operating revenue is generated from our business markets, mass markets and wholesale markets segments. We further categorize our revenue among five categories of products and services, which are described below:

•

Our strategic services are primarily private line, broadband, Qwest iQ Networking®, hosting, video, VoIP and Verizon Wireless services.

•

Our legacy services are primarily local, long distance, access, traditional WAN, ISDN, and other more traditional telecommunications services.

•

Our Qwest-branded wireless products and services are wireless products and services that we provide through our mass markets segment under a pre-existing arrangement with a different wireless provider. This arrangement will end on October 31, 2009.

•

Data integration is telecommunications equipment located on customers' premises and related professional services. These services include network management, installation and maintenance of data equipment and building of proprietary fiber-optic broadband networks for our governmental and business customers.

•

Other services are primarily USF surcharges.

        Segment results presented in this Item 2 and in Note 11—Segment Information to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations these segments would have achieved had they operated as stand-alone entities during the periods presented. We have reclassified certain prior year revenue, expense and access line amounts presented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 to conform to the current period presentation and to the presentation of our 2008 results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

36

Business Trends

        Our financial results were impacted by several significant trends, which are listed below. We expect that these trends will continue to affect our future results of operations, cash flows or financial position. Most of these trends also impact our segment results, and therefore we provide a detailed discussion of these trends under the heading "Segment Results" below. Because we do not allocate our pension and post-retirement benefit expenses to our segments, the related trend does not impact any of our segments. Instead, we provide a discussion of these expenses under the headings "Operating Expenses—General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses" and "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Long-Term View" below.

•

Growth in strategic services

•

Growth in managed services

•

Continuing loss of access lines

•

Product bundling and promotions

•

Greater operating efficiencies

•

Reduced wireless revenue and expenses

•

Pension and post-retirement benefits expenses and funding

        While these trends are important to understanding and evaluating our financial results, the other transactions, events and trends discussed in "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part II of this report may also materially impact our business operations and financial results.

37

Results of Operations

Overview

        The following table summarizes some of our key financial measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

			Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change			2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
			(Dollars in millions except per share amounts)
Operating revenue by category:
	Strategic and legacy services:
		Strategic services	$	1,051	$	1,005	$	46			5	%	$	3,142	$	2,948	$	194			7	%
		Legacy services		1,734		2,007		(273	)		(14	)%		5,392		6,169		(777	)		(13	)%
	Total strategic and legacy services			2,785		3,012		(227	)		(8	)%		8,534		9,117		(583	)		(6	)%
	Qwest-branded wireless products and services			20		116		(96	)		(83	)%		108		370		(262	)		(71	)%
	Data integration			153		158		(5	)		(3	)%		409		408		1			—	%
	Total segment revenue			2,958		3,286		(328	)		(10	)%		9,051		9,895		(844	)		(9	)%
	Other revenue (primarily USF surcharges)			96		93		3			3	%		266		265		1			—	%
Total operating revenue				3,054		3,379		(325	)		(10	)%		9,317		10,160		(843	)		(8	)%
Operating expenses				2,569		2,925		(356	)		(12	)%		7,792		8,622		(830	)		(10	)%
Operating income				485		454		31			7	%		1,525		1,538		(13	)		(1	)%
Other expense (income)—net				274		236		38			16	%		799		777		22			3	%
Income before income taxes				211		218		(7	)		(3	)%		726		761		(35	)		(5	)%
Income tax expense				75		73		2			3	%		172		286		(114	)		(40	)%
Net income			$	136	$	145	$	(9	)		(6	)%	$	554	$	475	$	79			17	%
Earnings per common share:
	Basic		$	0.08	$	0.08	$	—			—	%	$	0.32	$	0.27	$	0.05			19	%
	Diluted		$	0.08	$	0.08	$	—			—	%	$	0.32	$	0.27	$	0.05			19	%

        The following table summarizes some of our key operational measures for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

	September 30,
	2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
	(in thousands except employees)
Employees		31,292		34,656		(3,364	)		(10	)%
Total broadband subscribers		2,951		2,793		158			6	%
Total video subscribers		862		761		101			13	%
Total wireless subscribers		786		772		14			2	%
Total access lines		10,561		11,869		(1,308	)		(11	)%

38

Operating Revenue

        Operating revenue decreased primarily due to lower legacy services revenue as a result of continued access line losses and decreased long-distance volumes and rates. Revenue from Qwest-branded wireless products and services was also lower due to the transition to selling Verizon Wireless services. We recognize revenue from services provided under our Verizon Wireless arrangement on a net basis, whereas we recognize revenue from services provided under the pre-existing arrangement that we have with a different provider on a gross basis. The decrease in legacy services revenue was partially offset by increased revenue in our strategic services as a result of increased volumes associated with Qwest iQ Networking®.

Operating Expenses

        The following table provides further detail regarding our total operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

		Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change			2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
		(Dollars in millions)
Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization):
	Facility costs	$	377	$	550	$	(173	)		(31	)%	$	1,194	$	1,658	$	(464	)		(28	)%
	Employee-related costs		306		373		(67	)		(18	)%		902		1,062		(160	)		(15	)%
	Equipment sales costs		129		146		(17	)		(12	)%		333		402		(69	)		(17	)%
	Other		120		163		(43	)		(26	)%		365		440		(75	)		(17	)%
Total cost of sales			932		1,232		(300	)		(24	)%		2,794		3,562		(768	)		(22	)%
Selling:
	Employee-related costs		248		295		(47	)		(16	)%		808		878		(70	)		(8	)%
	Marketing, advertising and external commissions		134		151		(17	)		(11	)%		407		439		(32	)		(7	)%
	Other		78		129		(51	)		(40	)%		287		340		(53	)		(16	)%
Total selling			460		575		(115	)		(20	)%		1,502		1,657		(155	)		(9	)%
General, administrative and other operating:
	Employee-related costs		161		121		40			33	%		491		350		141			40	%
	Taxes and fees		160		155		5			3	%		457		441		16			4	%
	Real estate and occupancy costs		110		117		(7	)		(6	)%		325		348		(23	)		(7	)%
	Other		165		126		39			31	%		491		511		(20	)		(4	)%
Total general, administrative and other operating			596		519		77			15	%		1,764		1,650		114			7	%
Depreciation and amortization			581		599		(18	)		(3	)%		1,732		1,753		(21	)		(1	)%
Total operating expenses		$	2,569	$	2,925	$	(356	)		(12	)%	$	7,792	$	8,622	$	(830	)		(10	)%

Cost of Sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

        Facility costs decreased primarily due to improvements that we made in the profitability structure of our wholesale long-distance service, which resulted in lower wholesale long-distance volumes and revenue but improved wholesale long-distance margin percentage. In addition, facility costs decreased

39

due to the migration of our wireless customers to Verizon Wireless. As previously discussed, we record revenue net of expenses under our wireless services arrangement with Verizon Wireless. Decreased volumes of certain business markets services, such as our traditional WAN services, also favorably impacted our facility costs. This decrease in facility costs due to decreased volumes on traditional WAN was more than offset by the increased facility costs associated with the growth in Qwest iQ Networking® revenue.

        Employee-related costs decreased primarily due to lower salaries, wages, benefits and severance related to employee reductions in our network operations as we continue to manage our workforce to our workload. In addition, severance expense decreased due to the timing of when employee reductions occurred.

        Equipment sales costs decreased primarily due to fewer handsets sold as we transition to selling Verizon Wireless services.

        Other cost of sales decreased primarily due to lower professional fees and network expenses due to our continued focus on managing costs associated with our network.

Selling Expenses

        Employee-related costs decreased due to lower salaries, wages and benefits related to employee reductions in our sales organization, along with decreased commissions driven by lower sales headcount and lower attainment. These decreases were partially offset by increases in severance expenses.

        Marketing, advertising and external commissions decreased primarily due to reduced spending associated with media, direct mail and sponsorships as well as reductions in agency fees.

        Other expenses decreased primarily due to lower bad debt expense and professional fees.

General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses

        Employee-related costs increased primarily due to increased pension and post-retirement benefits expenses. These benefits expenses are based on several assumptions, including among other things discount rates and expected rates of return on plan assets that are set at the beginning of each year. In 2008 we recognized combined net periodic benefits income, as pension income exceeded post-retirement benefit expense for the year. However, during 2008 we experienced significant losses on our pension and post-retirement benefit plan assets, which have significantly impacted the pension and post-retirement benefits expenses we are recording in 2009. This increase in pension and post-retirement benefits expenses was partially offset by decreased severance and lower expenses due to workforce reductions as we continue to manage our workforce to our workload.

        We expect to recognize approximately $208 million in combined net periodic benefits expense for 2009 as compared to combined net periodic benefits income of $14 million for 2008. This expected total combined net periodic benefits expense for 2009 is $20 million more than the amount we disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, due primarily to adjustments to our estimates of the fair value of certain investments held by our plan trusts that were estimated based on previously available preliminary information at December 31, 2008. Changes to our assumptions at the end of 2009 may increase or decrease our expected combined net periodic benefits expenses beyond 2009. For additional information on our pension and post-retirement benefit plans, see Note 8—Employee Benefits to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

        Taxes and fees increased as a result of a $40 million favorable property tax settlement and other favorable adjustments in the second quarter of 2008. These increases were partially offset by lower USF

40

charges and lower gross receipts resulting from continued access line erosion, our transition to Verizon Wireless and a decrease in property taxes.

        Real estate and occupancy costs decreased primarily due to lower rent expense and fuel costs.

        Other expenses increased for the three months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 primarily due to the reversal of approximately $33 million of restructuring reserve resulting from the favorable early termination of a lease in the third quarter of 2008. Other expenses decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to litigation charges recorded in the second quarter of 2008 partially offset by the restructuring reserve reversal noted above.

Depreciation and Amortization

        The following table provides detail regarding depreciation and amortization expense:

		Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change			2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
		(Dollars in millions)
Depreciation and amortization:
	Depreciation	$	520	$	537	$	(17	)		(3	)%	$	1,552	$	1,582	$	(30	)		(2	)%
	Amortization		61		62		(1	)		(2	)%		180		171		9			5	%
Total depreciation and amortization		$	581	$	599	$	(18	)		(3	)%	$	1,732	$	1,753	$	(21	)		(1	)%

        Depreciation expense decreased due to lower capital expenditures and the changing mix of our investment in property, plant and equipment since 2002. If we do not significantly shorten our estimates of the useful lives of our assets, we expect that our depreciation expense will continue to decrease for the foreseeable future. Amortization expense was higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 due to an increase in internally developed capitalized software used to support our operations.

        Effective January 1, 2009, we changed our estimates of the average remaining economic lives of certain copper cable and telecommunications equipment assets. These changes resulted in additional depreciation expense of approximately $10 million and $30 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and will result in additional depreciation expense of approximately $38 million for the year ending December 31, 2009 compared to the year ended December 31, 2008.

        We made a decision in June 2008 to discontinue certain product offerings and as a result we changed our estimates of the remaining economic lives of certain assets used in providing those services, which resulted in the acceleration of depreciation of those assets beginning in the third quarter of 2008. This change did not result in additional depreciation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, this change resulted in additional depreciation expense of approximately $19 million when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008. These assets will be fully depreciated as of December 31, 2009; therefore, we do not anticipate recording any significant incremental depreciation expense associated with this change for the remainder of the year.

        The additional depreciation for both of the changes described above, net of deferred taxes, reduced net income by approximately $6 million, or less than $0.01 per basic and diluted common share for the three months ended September 30, 2009, and $29 million, or approximately $0.02 per basic and diluted common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The additional

41

depreciation will reduce net income by approximately $35 million, or approximately $0.02 per basic and diluted common share, for the year ending December 31, 2009.

Other Consolidated Results

        The following table provides detail regarding other expense (income)—net and income tax expense:

		Three Months Ended September 30,										Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009		2008			Increase/ (Decrease)		% Change			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
		(Dollars in millions)
Other expense (income)—net:
	Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net	$	274	$	263		$	11		4	%	$	810		$	805		$	5			1	%
	Other—net		—		(27	)		27		nm			(11	)		(28	)		17			61	%
Total other expense (income)—net		$	274	$	236		$	38		16	%	$	799		$	777		$	22			3	%
Income tax expense		$	75	$	73		$	2		3	%	$	172		$	286		$	(114	)		(40	)%

nm—Percentages greater than 200% and comparisons between positive and negative values or to/from zero values are considered not meaningful.

Other Expense (Income)—Net

        Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net increased due to the issuance of $811 million of new debt in the second quarter of 2009, partially offset by decreased interest expense due to declining debt levels as a result of maturities and our early retirement of debt as well as decreasing interest rates on floating rate debt.

        Other—net includes, among other things, interest income, income tax penalties, other interest expense (such as interest on income taxes), gains or losses related to certain fair value interest rate hedges and underlying debt and gains or losses on investments. The change in other—net was primarily due to an interest benefit related to an income tax settlement in the third quarter of 2008 and lower interest income resulting from lower interest rates in 2009.

Income Tax Expense

        Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased in part due to the decrease in current income before income taxes, but the decrease was primarily the result of our recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits on uncertain tax positions and favorable income tax settlements related to prior years. The previously unrecognized tax benefits and favorable settlements decreased our effective income tax rate to 23.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from 37.7% for the same period in 2008. As of September 30, 2009, we had $58 million of unrecognized tax benefits that could affect our effective tax rate in the future. We will continue to defer recognition of these tax benefits until we settle the issues with the taxing authorities or the tax law is clarified in a way that makes it more likely than not that we will receive the benefits. Absent the recognition of these or other discrete items that we may record, we expect our future effective income tax rate will approximate 39%.

42

Segment Results

        The following table summarizes our segment results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

			Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
			(Dollars in millions)
Total segment revenue			$	2,958		$	3,286		$	(328	)		(10	)%	$	9,051		$	9,895		$	(844	)		(9	)%
Total segment expense				1,417			1,782			(365	)		(20	)%		4,359			5,233			(874	)		(17	)%
Total segment income			$	1,541		$	1,504		$	37			2	%	$	4,692		$	4,662		$	30			1	%
Total segment margin percentage				52	%		46	%		6	%					52	%		47	%		5	%
	Business markets:
		Revenue		1,032			1,044			(12	)		(1	)%		3,068			3,049			19			1	%
		Expense		623			675			(52	)		(8	)%		1,855			1,924			(69	)		(4	)%
		Income	$	409		$	369		$	40			11	%	$	1,213		$	1,125		$	88			8	%
		Margin percentage		40	%		35	%		5	%					40	%		37	%		3	%
	Mass markets:
		Revenue		1,226			1,426			(200	)		(14	)%		3,819			4,364			(545	)		(12	)%
		Expense		553			751			(198	)		(26	)%		1,731			2,239			(508	)		(23	)%
		Income	$	673		$	675		$	(2	)		—	%	$	2,088		$	2,125		$	(37	)		(2	)%
		Margin percentage		55	%		47	%		8	%					55	%		49	%		6	%
	Wholesale markets:
		Revenue		700			816			(116	)		(14	)%		2,164			2,482			(318	)		(13	)%
		Expense		241			356			(115	)		(32	)%		773			1,070			(297	)		(28	)%
		Income	$	459		$	460		$	(1	)		—	%	$	1,391		$	1,412		$	(21	)		(1	)%
		Margin percentage		66	%		56	%		10	%					64	%		57	%		7	%

43

Business Markets

        The following table summarizes some of the key financial measures for our business markets segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

			Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
			(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
		Strategic services	$	402		$	361		$	41			11	%	$	1,184		$	1,037		$	147			14	%
		Legacy services		477			525			(48	)		(9	)%		1,475			1,604			(129	)		(8	)%
	Total strategic and legacy services			879			886			(7	)		(1	)%		2,659			2,641			18			1	%
	Data integration			153			158			(5	)		(3	)%		409			408			1			—	%
Total revenue				1,032			1,044			(12	)		(1	)%		3,068			3,049			19			1	%
Expenses:
		Direct segment expenses		300			339			(39	)		(12	)%		877			913			(36	)		(4	)%
		Assigned facility, network and other expenses		323			336			(13	)		(4	)%		978			1,011			(33	)		(3	)%
Total expenses				623			675			(52	)		(8	)%		1,855			1,924			(69	)		(4	)%
Income			$	409		$	369		$	40			11	%	$	1,213		$	1,125		$	88			8	%
Margin percentage				40	%		35	%		5	%					40	%		37	%		3	%

        The following table summarizes the total access lines for our business markets segment as of September 30, 2009 and 2008:

	September 30,
	2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
	(in thousands)
Total access lines		2,468		2,680		(212	)		(8	)%

        The financial results for our business markets segment continue to be impacted by several significant trends, which are described below.

•

Strategic services.  The components of our total revenue continue to migrate from legacy services to strategic services as our customers increasingly demand customized and integrated data, Internet and voice services. We offer diverse combinations of emerging technology products and services such as VoIP, Ethernet, MPLS and hosting services. These services afford our customers more flexibility in managing their communications needs and enable us to partner with them to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations. This gives us an opportunity to form stronger bonds with these customers. We expect revenue from our strategic services to continue to grow.

•

Legacy services.  We face intense competition and price compression with respect to our legacy services and continue to see customers migrating away from these services and into strategic services. We expect that we will continue to experience a decline in our legacy services revenue.

•

Operating efficiencies.  We continue to evaluate our operating structure and focus. This involves balancing our workforce in response to our workload and our productivity improvements.

44

Through planned reductions and normal employee attrition, we have reduced our workforce while achieving operational efficiencies and improving our processes through automation.

Revenue

        Strategic services revenue was 39% and 34% of our total business markets revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Revenue from strategic services increased primarily due to increased volumes in Qwest iQ Networking®. Private line services revenue also increased due to higher volumes, partially offset by lower rates. The growth in Qwest iQ Networking® revenue outpaced a decrease in revenue from our traditional WAN services.

        Legacy services revenue was 48% and 53% of our total business markets revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Revenue from legacy services declined as a result of access line losses and lower demand for our traditional WAN services.

Expenses

        Direct segment expenses decreased primarily due to decreased commissions expense. This decrease was partially offset by higher bad debt expense as a result of a non-recurring adjustment in 2008 to better reflect our collection history for data integration receivables.

        Assigned facility, network and other expenses decreased primarily due to a decrease in network expenses related to employee reductions in our network operations and facilities cost decreases coming primarily from network optimization efforts.

Income

        Continued execution on operating initiatives that improved our overall cost efficiency drove our margin percentage from 37% to 40% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009, respectively. We continue to be subject to intense competition, customer migration to strategic services and declining general economic conditions; however, as a result of our continued focus on strategic services and managing costs, we were able to grow income and expand our margin percentage by approximately 300 basis points for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

45

Mass Markets

        The following table summarizes some of the key financial measures for our mass markets segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

			Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
			(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
		Strategic services	$	346		$	335		$	11			3	%	$	1,043		$	994		$	49			5	%
		Legacy services		860			975			(115	)		(12	)%		2,668			3,000			(332	)		(11	)%
	Total strategic and legacy services			1,206			1,310			(104	)		(8	)%		3,711			3,994			(283	)		(7	)%
	Wireless services			20			116			(96	)		(83	)%		108			370			(262	)		(71	)%
Total revenue				1,226			1,426			(200	)		(14	)%		3,819			4,364			(545	)		(12	)%
Expenses:
		Direct segment expenses		250			323			(73	)		(23	)%		810			1,005			(195	)		(19	)%
		Assigned facility, network and other expenses		303			428			(125	)		(29	)%		921			1,234			(313	)		(25	)%
Total expenses				553			751			(198	)		(26	)%		1,731			2,239			(508	)		(23	)%
Income			$	673		$	675		$	(2	)		—	%	$	2,088		$	2,125		$	(37	)		(2	)%
Margin percentage				55	%		47	%		8	%					55	%		49	%		6	%

        The following table summarizes some of the key operational measures for our mass markets segment as of September 30, 2009 and 2008:

	September 30,
	2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
	(in thousands)
Broadband subscribers(1)		2,951		2,793		158			6	%
Video subscribers		862		761		101			13	%
Access lines		7,045		8,022		(977	)		(12	)%
Wireless subscribers (1)		786		772		14			2	%

(1)

Broadband and wireless subscribers include an immaterial number of business markets customers.

        The financial results for our mass markets segment continue to be impacted by several significant trends, which are described below.

•

Strategic services.  We continue to focus on increasing subscribers of our broadband services in our mass markets segment. We reached approximately 3.0 million broadband subscribers at September 30, 2009 compared to approximately 2.8 million at September 30, 2008. We believe the ability to continually increase connection speeds is competitively important. As a result, we continue to invest in our fiber to the node ("FTTN") deployment, which we launched to meet customer demand for higher broadband speeds. In addition to the FTTN deployment, we continue to expand our product offerings and enhance our marketing efforts as we compete in a maturing market where a significant portion of consumers already have broadband services. We

46

now expect the net number of our broadband subscriber additions in 2009 will be less than our net additions in 2008 due to intense broadband competition and declining general economic conditions. While video and wireless subscribers are an important piece of our customer retention strategy, they do not make a large contribution to strategic services revenue.

•

Access lines.  Our revenue has been, and we expect it will continue to be, adversely affected by access line losses. Intense competition, including product substitution, continues to drive our access line losses. For example, many consumers are substituting cable, wireless and VoIP for traditional voice telecommunications services. This has increased the number and type of competitors within our industry and has decreased our market share. Additionally, we believe that intensified competition, wireless substitution and declining general economic conditions contributed to a slight acceleration of our access line losses in recent quarters. We expect that these factors will continue to impact our business. Product bundling and other product promotions, as described below, continue to be some of our responses to access line losses.

•

Product bundling and product promotions.  We offer our customers the ability to bundle multiple products and services. These customers can bundle local services with other services such as broadband, video, long-distance and wireless. We believe customers value the convenience of, and price discounts associated with, receiving multiple services through a single company. In addition to our bundle discounts, we also offer limited time promotions on our broadband service for qualifying customers who have our broadband product in their bundle, which we believe will positively affect our acquisition volume and drive customers to purchase more expanded offerings. While bundle price discounts have resulted in lower average revenue for our individual products, we believe product bundles continue to positively impact our customer retention.

•

Operating efficiencies.  We continue to evaluate our operating structure and focus. This involves balancing our workforce in response to our workload, productivity improvements, changes in the telecommunications industry and governmental regulations. Through planned reductions and normal employee attrition, we have reduced our workforce and employee-related costs while achieving operational efficiencies and improving processes through automation.

•

Wireless revenue and expenses.  In April 2008, we signed a five-year agreement with Verizon Wireless to market its wireless services under its brand name beginning in the third quarter of 2008. We recognize revenue from services offered under the Verizon Wireless agreement on a net basis, whereas we recognize revenue from services provided under a pre-existing arrangement that we have with a different provider on a gross basis. This results in lower revenue and lower expenses such as lower equipment sales costs from fewer handsets sold and lower bad debt expense under our Verizon Wireless arrangement when compared to the pre-existing arrangement. We also continue to provide wireless services under the pre-existing arrangement, which will end on October 31, 2009. We record the revenue that we earn from our Verizon Wireless arrangement in strategic services revenue and revenue from our pre-existing arrangement in wireless services revenue.

Revenue

        Strategic services revenue represented 27% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to 23% for the same period in 2008, and continues to grow, but at a slower rate compared to the same period ended September 30, 2008. Strategic services revenue increased primarily due to an increase in broadband subscribers, partially offset by rate discounts.

        Legacy services revenue decreased primarily due to declines in local services and long-distance volumes and rates. These declines were driven by access line losses resulting from the competitive and economic pressures described above.

47

        Wireless services revenue decreased as we transition to selling Verizon Wireless services, the revenue from which we record in strategic services on a net basis.

Expenses

        Direct segment expenses decreased primarily due to lower equipment sales costs reflecting fewer handsets sold as we transition to our new wireless service arrangement. In addition, expenses decreased due to lower employee-related costs primarily due to workforce reductions as well as reduced marketing expenses and professional fees.

        Assigned facility, network and other expenses decreased primarily due to lower facility costs as we transition to selling Verizon Wireless services and lower network costs related to employee reductions in our network operations as we continued to adjust our workforce to reflect our workload.

Income

        Expense reductions due to a reduced workforce, network cost efficiencies and our transition to selling Verizon Wireless services improved our margin percentage by approximately 600 basis points to 55% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 when compared to 49% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Wholesale Markets

        The following table summarizes some of the key financial measures for our wholesale markets segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

		Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change			2009			2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
		(Dollars in millions)
Revenue:
	Strategic services	$	303		$	309		$	(6	)		(2	)%	$	915		$	917		$	(2	)		—	%
	Legacy services		397			507			(110	)		(22	)%		1,249			1,565			(316	)		(20	)%
Total revenue			700			816			(116	)		(14	)%		2,164			2,482			(318	)		(13	)%
Expenses:
	Direct segment expenses		35			45			(10	)		(22	)%		126			136			(10	)		(7	)%
	Assigned facility, network and other expenses		206			311			(105	)		(34	)%		647			934			(287	)		(31	)%
Total expenses			241			356			(115	)		(32	)%		773			1,070			(297	)		(28	)%
Income		$	459		$	460		$	(1	)		—	%	$	1,391		$	1,412		$	(21	)		(1	)%
Margin percentage			66	%		56	%		10	%					64	%		57	%		7	%

        The following table summarizes the total access lines for our wholesale markets segment as of September 30, 2009 and 2008:

	September 30,
	2009		2008		Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
	(in thousands)
Total access lines		1,048		1,167		(119	)		(10	)%

48

        The financial results for our wholesale markets segment continue to be impacted by several significant trends, which are described below.

•

Private line services.  Demand for our private line services continues although our customers' optimization of their cost structures and industry consolidation has negatively impacted our private line revenue. We expect these factors will continue to impact our wholesale markets segment.

•

Access and local services revenue.  Our access and local services revenue has been, and we expect it will continue to be, adversely affected by technological migration and industry consolidation. For example, consumers are substituting cable, wireless and VoIP services for traditional voice telecommunications services, resulting in continued line loss. We expect these factors will continue to impact our wholesale markets segment.

•

Long-distance services revenue.  As we have taken a more disciplined approach to long-distance profitability, we have seen long-distance services revenue decline while our long-distance margin has improved significantly. We continue to focus on long-distance profitability as we see declining demand for traditional voice services and the effects of industry consolidation.

Revenue

        Strategic services revenue was 42% and 37% of our total wholesale markets revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Strategic revenue declined slightly due to decreased rates for our private line service, partially offset by increased volumes. Our revenue was negatively impacted by industry consolidation, price compression, and our customers' optimization of their cost structures.

        Legacy services revenue declined due to decreases in long-distance services revenue primarily driven by our focus on improving the profitability structure of this service. In addition, access and local services revenue declined due to access line loss and a declining demand for UNEs for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Traditional WAN services also declined due to customer migration to more advanced technology services.

Expenses

        Direct segment expenses decreased primarily due to reduced external commissions, access charges, and professional fees as a result of our reduced volumes.

        Assigned facility, network and other expenses decreased primarily due to the long-distance volume decline noted above, coupled with lower long-distance rates. The long-distance volume declines driving the lower facilities expenses were a direct result of our long-distance profitability initiatives that we implemented in the last half of 2008 and industry consolidation.

Income

        Our margin percentage increased approximately 700 basis points and we held our income to a 1% reduction for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008 due to profitability structure improvements relating to our long-distance services. We continue to experience income pressure as a result of decreased access and local services and the continued price compression in strategic services.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Near-Term View

        At September 30, 2009, we held cash and cash equivalents totaling $2.074 billion, and we had $945 million available under our currently undrawn revolving credit facility (referred to as the Credit

49

Facility), which expires in October 2010. We expect that our cash on hand and expected net cash generated by operating activities will exceed our cash needs over the next 12 months.

        During the 12 months ended September 30, 2009, our net cash generated by operating activities totaled $3.339 billion. Although our revenue has been decreasing, we believe that we will be able to continue to control costs to keep them aligned with revenue and therefore expect that we will continue to generate cash from operating activities sufficient to fund our financing and investing activities. For the coming 12 months, our expected financing and investing cash needs include capital expenditures, $903 million of debt maturing and quarterly dividends on our common stock of approximately $140 million per quarter. Our capital expenditures requiring cash in 2009 are anticipated to be $1.5 billion or less and we expect to finance approximately $100 million of additional equipment through capital leases for the year ending December 31, 2009. In addition, we have $1.265 billion of 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes that we treat as maturing in November 2010 as discussed more fully in the "Long-Term View" below.

        We have significant discretion in how we use our cash to pay for capital expenditures and for other costs of our business, as only a moderate portion of our capital expenditures is dedicated to preservation activities or government mandates. We evaluate capital expenditure projects based on expected strategic impacts (such as forecasted revenue growth or productivity, expense and service impacts) and our expected return on investment. If we are not successful in maintaining or increasing our net cash generated by operating activities in the near term, we may use this discretion to decrease our capital expenditures, which may impact future years' operating results and cash flows. For example, we lease certain office facilities and equipment under various capital lease arrangements when the leasing arrangements are more favorable to us than purchasing the assets. Due to favorable economics we have increasingly turned to financing our assets through capital leases, which reduced our capital expenditures by approximately $55 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

        At September 30, 2009, our current assets exceeded our current liabilities by $766 million. The change to positive working capital from a working capital deficit at December 31, 2008 was due to earnings before depreciation, amortization, income taxes and proceeds from our long-term debt issuances, partially offset by capital expenditures, the reclassification of non-current debt to current and dividends declared on common stock.

        We continue to look for opportunities to improve our capital structure by reducing debt and interest expense. We expect that at any time we deem conditions favorable we will also attempt to improve our liquidity position by accessing debt or other markets in a manner designed to create positive economic value. Although we were able to issue new debt financing in April and September 2009, the unstable credit markets and the decline in the economy may impair our ability to refinance maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited or at terms that are acceptable to us.

        As of September 30, 2009, we also had $193 million in stock repurchases remaining under the $2 billion stock repurchase program that our Board of Directors authorized in October 2006. In light of current credit market conditions, the Board of Directors has extended the timeframe to complete these repurchases, which were originally scheduled to be completed in 2008. We have not repurchased any stock under this program in 2009.

Long-Term View

        We believe that cash provided by operations and our currently undrawn Credit Facility, combined with our current cash position and the likelihood that we will continue to have access to capital markets to refinance our debt as it matures, should allow us to meet our cash requirements for the foreseeable future. Our credit facility expires in October 2010; however, we anticipate that we will be able to enter into a new similar facility. Our general policy is to refinance debt maturities of our QC subsidiary and to not refinance all other debt maturities except for our convertible debt.

50

Debt

        We have a significant amount of debt maturing in the next several years, including $2.168 billion maturing in 2010, $2.151 billion maturing in 2011 and $1.500 billion maturing in 2012. The $2.168 billion maturing in 2010 includes the $903 million coming due in the next 12 months referred to in "Near-Term View" above and $1.265 billion of 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes discussed below. We expect that we will refinance this convertible debt and debt issued by our QC subsidiary (including $500 million maturing in 2010, $825 million maturing in 2011 and $1.500 billion maturing in 2012); we intend to pay all other maturing debt with cash generated by operating activities. For example, we intend to use the net proceeds from our issuance of $550 million of notes in September 2009 to partially refinance the convertible debt.

        Although our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes have a stated maturity of 2025, we treat these notes as maturing in November 2010 because they contain put and call provisions that first apply in November 2010. As such, we are preparing for the possibility that we will need $1.265 billion of cash in November 2010 to repurchase these notes. Our preparations may include borrowing additional amounts in anticipation of these repurchases. Even if we are not required to repurchase these notes in November 2010, we may still choose to call the notes at that time. You can find additional information about these notes in Note 5—Borrowings to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

        We believe that we will continue to have access to capital markets to refinance our debt as discussed above. Although we were able to issue new debt financing in April and September 2009, the unstable credit markets and the decline in the economy may impair our ability to refinance maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited or at terms that are acceptable to us.

        The Credit Facility makes available to us $945 million of additional credit subject to certain restrictions as described below, is currently undrawn and expires in October 2010. The Credit Facility has 13 lenders with commitments ranging from $15 million to $160 million. This facility has a cross payment default provision, and this facility and certain other debt issues also have cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. These provisions generally provide that a cross default under these debt instruments could occur if:

•

we fail to pay any indebtedness when due in an aggregate principal amount greater than $100 million;

•

any indebtedness is accelerated in an aggregate principal amount greater than $100 million; or

•

judicial proceedings are commenced to foreclose on any of our assets that secure indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount greater than $100 million.

        Upon a cross default, the creditors of a material amount of our debt may elect to declare that a default has occurred under their debt instruments and to accelerate the principal amounts due to those creditors. Cross acceleration provisions are similar to cross default provisions, but permit a default in a second debt instrument to be declared only if in addition to a default occurring under the first debt instrument, the indebtedness due under the first debt instrument is actually accelerated.

        The Credit Facility also contains various limitations, including a restriction on using any proceeds from the facility to pay settlements or judgments relating to the securities-related actions discussed in Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. In addition, to the extent that our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA (as defined in our debt covenants), is reduced by cash settlements or judgments relating to the matters discussed in that note, our debt to consolidated EBITDA ratios under certain debt agreements will be adversely affected. This could reduce our

51

liquidity and flexibility due to potential restrictions on drawing on our Credit Facility and potential restrictions on incurring additional debt under certain provisions of our debt agreements.

        We may also need to obtain additional financing or investigate other methods to generate cash (such as further cost reductions or the sale of assets) if:

•

revenue and cash provided by operations significantly decline;

•

poor economic conditions continue to persist;

•

competitive pressures increase;

•

we are required to contribute a material amount of cash to our pension plan; or

•

we become subject to significant judgments or settlements in one or more of the matters discussed in Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Pension Plan

        Benefits paid by our pension plan are paid through a trust. This pension plan is measured annually at December 31. The accounting unfunded status of our pension plan was $745 million at December 31, 2008. Cash funding requirements can be significantly impacted by earnings on investments, the applicable discount rate at the end of each year, changes in the plan and funding laws and regulations. As a result, it is difficult to determine future funding requirements with a high level of precision. Based on the current funding laws and regulations, we will not be required to make any contributions to the plan in 2010. However, it is likely that a contribution will be required in 2011. The amount of any required contributions in 2011 and beyond will depend on earnings on investments, discount rates, changes in the plan and funding laws and regulations. Based on returns through and market conditions at September 30, 2009, on current funding laws and regulations and other factors, our projected required contribution in 2011 may be $0 to $300 million. We also anticipate that the accounting unfunded status may rise when it is measured at December 31, 2009. Based on returns through and market conditions at September 30, 2009 and other factors, we currently estimate the accounting unfunded status may rise by an additional amount between $400 million and $800 million. However, changes in market conditions may increase or decrease these ranges by material amounts.

Post-Retirement Benefits

        Certain of our post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits plans are unfunded. However, a trust has been established to help cover the health care costs of retirees who are former occupational employees. As of December 31, 2008, the fair value of the trust assets was $915 million and we believed that the trust assets would be adequate to provide continuing reimbursements for our occupational post-retirement health care costs for approximately five years. Thereafter, covered benefits for our eligible retirees who are former occupational employees will be paid directly by us. This five year period could be substantially shorter depending on returns on plan assets, projected benefit payments and future changes in benefit obligations; for instance, if we assume that the rate of return on trust assets is zero and benefit reimbursements remain at projected levels, the trust would still be exhausted in approximately five years, but if we assume that the rate of return on trust assets were zero and benefit reimbursements increase by 20%, the trust assets could be exhausted in three years.

Income Tax Payments

        During the past three years, our income tax payments have predominantly related to prior years' income tax issues; in 2008 and 2006, we made payments (including penalties and interest) of $102 million and $130 million, respectively, related to prior years' federal income tax issues. In 2007, we paid immaterial amounts for income taxes.

52

        We currently make some payments for income taxes; however, in most jurisdictions where we are subject to income tax, those taxes are largely offset through the utilization of our significant net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"). As of December 31, 2008, we had NOLs of $6.2 billion and we expect to fully use these NOLs as an offset against future taxable income. We do not expect to pay a significant amount of income taxes until all of these NOLs have been used; however, the timing of that use will depend upon future earnings and upon our future tax circumstances. We currently expect to be able to use the NOLs to reduce tax payments for several years.

        Once our NOLs are fully utilized, we expect to make significant income tax payments. The amounts of those payments will also depend upon future earnings and upon our future tax circumstances and cannot be accurately estimated at this time.

Historical View

        The following table summarizes cash flow activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2009		2008			Increase/ (Decrease)			% Change
		(Dollars in millions)
Cash flows:
	Provided by operating activities	$	2,431	$	2,023		$	408			20	%
	Used for investing activities		1,016		1,343			(327	)		(24	)%
	Provided by (used for) financing activities		94		(996	)		1,090			nm

nm—Percentages greater than 200% and comparisons between positive and negative values or to/from zero values are considered not meaningful

Operating Activities

        Cash provided by operating activities increased primarily due to payments for securities-related legal matters in 2008, decreased payments for facility costs resulting from lower long-distance service volumes and lower payments for employee-related costs due to lower headcount. We also experienced lower payments for equipment costs as we transition to selling Verizon Wireless services in 2009.

Investing Activities

        Cash used for investing activities decreased primarily due to lower capital expenditures resulting from the timing of our capital expenditures, increased equipment capital leasing, a conservative approach to new capital investment and slower growth in capacity requirements in the network.

Financing Activities

        We issued $811 million of Senior Notes in April 2009, which resulted in net proceeds of $738 million, as well as $550 million of Senior Notes in September 2009, which resulted in net proceeds of $532 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we paid $412 million in dividends and $819 million in repayments of long-term borrowings, including current maturities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we paid $420 million in dividends and $432 million for purchases of our common stock under our stock repurchase program.

        We were in compliance with all provisions and covenants of our borrowings as of September 30, 2009.

53

Letters of Credit

        We maintain letter of credit arrangements with various financial institutions for up to $86 million. As of September 30, 2009, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $80 million.

Risk Management

        We are exposed to market risks arising from changes in interest rates. The objective of our interest rate risk management program is to manage the level and volatility of our interest expense. We currently use derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure and we may continue to employ them in the future.

Near-Term Maturities

        As of September 30, 2009, we had $903 million of long-term notes maturing in the subsequent 12 months. We would be exposed to changes in interest rates at any time that we choose to refinance any of this debt. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate on a refinancing of the entire current portion of long-term notes would decrease quarterly pre-tax earnings by approximately $2 million.

Floating-Rate Debt

        One objective of our short-term debt strategy is to take advantage of favorable interest rates by swapping floating interest rate debt to fixed interest rate debt using cash flow hedges. One objective of our long-term debt strategy is to achieve a more balanced ratio of fixed to floating interest rate debt by swapping a portion of our fixed interest rate debt to floating interest rate debt through fair value hedges. As of September 30, 2009, we had $750 million of floating interest rate debt outstanding, of which $250 million was exposed to changes in interest rates, and $400 million of fixed rate debt which we converted to floating rate debt through interest rate swaps. The exposure for these instruments is linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in LIBOR relative to the net $650 million of floating interest rate debt and swaps that is exposed to changes in interest rates would decrease quarterly pre-tax earnings by less than $2 million.

Convertible Debt

        Under the terms of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes, upon conversion at a time at which the market-based conversion provisions described in "Long-Term View" are satisfied, we must pay the converting holders cash equal to at least the par value of the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2009, $1.265 billion of these notes were outstanding. While these notes were not convertible as of September 30, 2009 because specified, market-based conversion provisions were not met as of that date, these notes would be available for immediate conversion if those provisions are met during certain subsequent periods. In addition, even if these provisions are not met, holders have the option to require us to repurchase the notes for cash every five years on November 15, beginning in 2010, and receive cash from us equal to the par value of the notes. We would be exposed to changes in interest rates at any time that we choose to refinance any portion of this debt. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate on the refinancing of the entire $1.265 billion would decrease quarterly pre-tax earnings by approximately $3 million. See "Long-Term View" above for additional information about the conversion provisions relating to these notes.

Investments

        As of September 30, 2009, we had $2.022 billion invested in highly liquid cash-equivalent instruments, $93 million invested in auction rate securities and $4 million in an investment fund. As interest rates change, so will the interest income derived from these instruments. Assuming that these

54

investment balances were to remain constant, a hypothetical decrease of 100 basis points in interest rates would decrease quarterly pre-tax earnings by approximately $5 million.

Combined Impacts

        The table below provides a sensitivity analysis of certain expense and income items, as well as net income, assuming 100-basis-point upward and downward shifts in market interest rates over the entire nine months. This sensitivity analysis reflects only the impact for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from the borrowings and investments that were outstanding and hedges that were in effect as of September 30, 2009. It does not reflect the impact of long-term notes maturing in the subsequent 12 months or convertible borrowings because they would not have been affected by changes in market interest rates during the periods presented.

		As reported			Assuming +100 basis point shift			Assuming - -100 basis point shift
		(Dollars in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2009:
	Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net	$	810		$	812		$	808
	Other income—net		(11	)		(16	)		(6	)
	Net income		554			557			551

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

        We have no special purpose or limited purpose entities that provide off-balance sheet financing, liquidity, or market or credit risk support, and we do not engage in leasing, hedging, research and development services or other relationships that expose us to any significant liabilities that are not reflected on the face of the condensed consolidated financial statements. There were no substantial changes to our off-balance sheet arrangements or contractual commitments in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, when compared to the disclosures provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Website Access and Important Investor Information

        Our website address is www.qwest.com, and we routinely post important investor information in the "Investor Relations" section of our website at www.qwest.com/about/investor. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of this report.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

        This Form 10-Q contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements about our financial condition, operating results and business. These statements include, among others:

•

statements concerning the benefits that we expect will result from our business activities and certain transactions we have completed, such as increased revenue, decreased expenses and avoided expenses and expenditures; and

•

statements of our expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated developments and other matters that are not historical facts.

        These statements may be made expressly in this document or may be incorporated by reference to other documents we have filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as "may," "would," "could," "should," "plan," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," or similar expressions used in this document or in documents incorporated by reference in this document.

55

        These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by us in those statements. Some of these risks are described in Item 1A of Part II of this report.

        These risk factors should be considered in connection with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. Given these uncertainties, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any 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 of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Further, the information about our intentions contained in this document is a statement of our intentions as of the date of this document and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and our assumptions as of such date. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in our assumptions or otherwise.

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        The information under the heading "Risk Management" in Item 2 of Part I of this report is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. As a result, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. By their nature, our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives.

        Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the "Exchange Act") as of September 30, 2009. On the basis of this review, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

        There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the third quarter of 2009 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

56

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        The information contained in Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Risks Affecting Our Business

Increasing competition, including product substitution, continues to cause access line losses, which has adversely affected and could continue to adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

        We compete in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market, and we expect competition to continue to intensify. We are facing greater competition from cable companies, wireless providers, resellers and sales agents (including ourselves) and facilities-based providers using their own networks as well as those leasing parts of our network. In addition, regulatory developments over the past several years have generally increased competitive pressures on our business. Due to some of these and other factors, we continue to lose access lines.

        We are continually evaluating our responses to these competitive pressures. Some of our more recent responses are product bundling and packaging and our continuing focus on customer service. However, we may not be successful in these efforts. We may not be able to distinguish our service levels from those of our competitors, and we may not be successful in integrating our product offerings, especially products for which we act as a reseller or sales agent, such as wireless services and video services. If these initiatives are unsuccessful or insufficient, we are otherwise unable to sufficiently stem or offset our continuing access line losses and our revenue declines significantly without corresponding cost reductions, this would adversely affect our operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.

Unfavorable general economic conditions in the United States could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.

        Unfavorable general economic conditions, including the current recession in the United States and the recent financial crisis affecting the banking system and financial markets, could negatively affect our business. While it is often difficult for us to predict the impact of general economic conditions on our business, these conditions could adversely affect the affordability of and consumer demand for some of our products and services and could cause customers to shift to lower priced products and services or to delay or forgo purchases of our products and services. One or more of these circumstances could cause our revenue to decline. Also, our customers may not be able to obtain adequate access to credit, which could affect their ability to make timely payments to us. If that were to occur, we could be required to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts, and the number of days outstanding for our accounts receivable could increase. In addition, as discussed below under the heading "Risks Affecting our Liquidity," due to recent turmoil in the credit markets and the continued decline in the economy, we may not be able to refinance maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited, at terms that are acceptable to us or at all. For these reasons, among others, if the current economic conditions persist or decline, this could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.

57

Consolidation among participants in the telecommunications industry may allow our competitors to compete more effectively against us, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

        The telecommunications industry has experienced some consolidation, and several of our competitors have consolidated with other telecommunications providers. This consolidation results in competitors that are larger and better financed and affords our competitors increased resources and greater geographical reach, thereby enabling those competitors to compete more effectively against us. We have experienced and expect further increased pressures as a result of this consolidation and in turn have been and may continue to be forced to respond with lower profit margin product offerings and pricing plans in an effort to retain and attract customers. These pressures could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.

Rapid changes in technology and markets could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels, and any inability to respond to those changes could reduce our market share and adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

        The telecommunications industry is experiencing significant technological changes, and our ability to execute our business plans and compete depends upon our ability to develop and deploy new products and services, such as broadband, wireless, video and VoIP services. The development and deployment of new products and services could also require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels. If we are not able to develop new products and services to keep pace with technological advances, or if those products and services are not widely accepted by customers, our ability to compete could be adversely affected and our market share could decline. Any inability to keep up with changes in technology and markets could also adversely affect our operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.

Our reseller and sales agency arrangements expose us to a number of risks, one or more of which may adversely affect our business and operating results.

        We rely on reseller and sales agency arrangements with other companies to provide some of the services that we sell to our customers, including video services and wireless products and services. If we fail to extend or renegotiate these arrangements as they expire from time to time or if these other companies fail to fulfill their contractual obligations to us or our customers, we may have difficulty finding alternative arrangements and our customers may experience disruptions to their services. In addition, as a reseller or sales agent, we do not control the availability, retail price, design, function, quality, reliability, customer service or branding of these products and services, nor do we directly control all of the marketing and promotion of these products and services. To the extent that these other companies make decisions that negatively impact our ability to market and sell their products and services, our business plans and goals and our reputation could be negatively impacted. If these reseller and sales agency arrangements are unsuccessful due to one or more of these risks, our business and operating results may be adversely affected.

Third parties may claim we infringe upon their intellectual property rights, and defending against these claims could adversely affect our profit margins and our ability to conduct business.

        From time to time, we receive notices from third parties or are named in lawsuits filed by third parties claiming we have infringed or are infringing upon their intellectual property rights. We may receive similar notices or be involved in similar lawsuits in the future. Responding to these claims may require us to expend significant time and money defending our use of affected technology, may require us to enter into licensing agreements requiring royalty payments that we would not otherwise have to pay or may require us to pay damages. If we are required to take one or more of these actions, our

58

profit margins may decline. In addition, in responding to these claims, we may be required to stop selling or redesign one or more of our products or services, which could significantly and adversely affect the way we conduct business.

Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters

Any adverse outcome of the KPNQwest litigation could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results, on the trading price of our debt and equity securities and on our ability to access the capital markets.

        As described in Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report, the KPNQwest matters present material and significant risks to us. In the aggregate, the plaintiffs in the KPNQwest matters seek billions of dollars in damages. In addition, the outcome of one or more of these matters could have a negative impact on the outcomes of the other matters. We continue to defend against these matters vigorously and are currently unable to provide any estimate as to the timing of their resolution.

        We can give no assurance as to the impacts on our financial results or financial condition that may ultimately result from these matters. The ultimate outcomes of these matters are still uncertain, and substantial settlements or judgments in these matters could have a significant impact on us. The magnitude of such settlements or judgments resulting from these matters could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and ability to meet our debt obligations, potentially impacting our credit ratings, our ability to access capital markets and our compliance with debt covenants. In addition, the magnitude of any such settlements or judgments may cause us to draw down significantly on our cash balances, which might force us to obtain additional financing or explore other methods to generate cash. Such methods could include issuing additional securities or selling assets.

        Further, there are other material proceedings pending against us as described in Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report that, depending on their outcome, may have a material adverse effect on our financial position. Thus, we can give no assurances as to the impacts on our operating results or financial condition as a result of these matters.

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are therefore exposed to restrictions on our manner of doing business and a variety of claims relating to such regulation.

        We are subject to significant state and federal regulation. Interstate communications (including international communications that originate or terminate in the U.S.) are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and other laws. Intrastate communications are regulated by state utilities commissions pursuant to state utility laws. Generally, we must obtain and maintain certificates of authority from the FCC and regulatory bodies in most states where we offer regulated services and must obtain prior regulatory approval of rates, terms and conditions for regulated services, where required. We are subject to numerous, and often quite detailed, requirements under federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Accordingly, we cannot ensure that we are always in compliance with all these requirements at any single point in time. The agencies responsible for the enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations may initiate inquiries or actions based on customer complaints or on their own initiative.

        Regulation of the telecommunications industry is changing rapidly, and the regulatory environment varies substantially from state to state. A number of state legislatures and state utility commissions have adopted reduced or modified forms of regulation for retail services. These changes also generally allow more flexibility for rate changes and for new product introduction, and they enhance our ability to respond to competition. At the same time, some of the changes at both the state and federal level may

59

have the potential effect of reducing some regulatory protections, including having FCC-approved tariffs that include rates, terms and conditions. Despite these regulatory changes, a substantial portion of our local voice services revenue remains subject to FCC and state utility commission pricing regulation, which could expose us to unanticipated price declines. For instance, in 2009 the state utility commissions in Arizona, New Mexico and Minnesota will be considering price cap plans that govern the rates that we charge in each of these states. The FCC is also considering changing the rates that carriers can charge each other for originating, carrying and terminating traffic and for local access facilities. Also under review by the FCC and state commissions are the intercarrier compensation issues arising from the delivery of traffic destined for entities that offer conference and chat line services for free (known in the industry as "access stimulation," or "traffic pumping"), and of traffic bound for Internet service providers that cross local exchange boundaries (known as "VNXX traffic"). There can be no assurance that future regulatory, judicial or legislative activities will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, or that regulators or third parties will not raise material issues with regard to our compliance or noncompliance with applicable regulations.

        All of our operations are also subject to a variety of environmental, safety, health and other governmental regulations. We monitor our compliance with federal, state and local regulations governing the management, discharge and disposal of hazardous and environmentally sensitive materials. Although we believe that we are in compliance with these regulations, our management, discharge or disposal of hazardous and environmentally sensitive materials might expose us to claims or actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Risks Affecting Our Liquidity

Our high debt levels pose risks to our viability and may make us more vulnerable to adverse economic and competitive conditions, as well as other adverse developments.

        We continue to carry significant debt. As of September 30, 2009, our consolidated debt was approximately $14.135 billion. Approximately $5.819 billion of our debt obligations comes due over the next three years. This amount includes $1.265 billion of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (referred to as our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes), which we may elect to redeem at any time on or after November 20, 2010 and holders may require us to repurchase for cash on November 15, 2010. In addition, holders of these 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes may also elect to convert the principal of their notes into cash during periods when specified, market-based conversion requirements are met. While we currently believe we will have the financial resources to meet our obligations when they come due, we cannot fully anticipate the future condition of our company, the credit markets or the economy generally. We may have unexpected costs and liabilities, and we may have limited access to financing. In addition, we have $193 million of potential stock repurchases remaining under our previously disclosed stock repurchase program, and it is the current expectation of our Board of Directors that we will continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend. Cash used by us to purchase our common stock or to pay dividends will not be available for other purposes, including the repayment of debt.

        We may periodically need to obtain financing in order to meet our debt obligations as they come due. Due to recent turmoil in the credit markets and the continued decline in the economy, we may not be able to refinance maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited, at terms that are acceptable to us or at all. We may also need to obtain additional financing or investigate other methods to generate cash (such as further cost reductions or the sale of assets) if revenue and cash provided by operations decline, if economic conditions continue to weaken, if competitive pressures increase, if holders of the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes elect to convert their notes because market-based conversion provisions are met or require us to repurchase their notes for cash on November 15, 2010, if we are required to contribute a material amount of cash to our pension or other post-retirement benefit plans or if we become subject to significant judgments or settlements

60

in one or more of the matters discussed in Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. We can give no assurance that this additional financing will be available on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. Also, we may be impacted by factors relating to or affecting our liquidity and capital resources due to perception in the market, impacts on our credit ratings or provisions in our financing agreements that may restrict our flexibility under certain conditions.

        Our $945 million Credit Facility, which is currently undrawn, has a cross payment default provision, and the Credit Facility and certain of our other debt issues have cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. Any such event could adversely affect our ability to conduct business or access the capital markets and could adversely impact our credit ratings. In addition, the Credit Facility contains various limitations, including a restriction on using any proceeds from the facility to pay settlements or judgments relating to the securities-related actions discussed in Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

        Our high debt levels could adversely impact our credit ratings. Additionally, the degree to which we are leveraged may have other important limiting consequences, including the following:

•

placing us at a competitive disadvantage as compared with our less leveraged competitors;

•

making us more vulnerable to downturns in general economic conditions or in any of our businesses;

•

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and

•

impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures or general corporate purposes.

We may be unable to significantly reduce the substantial capital requirements or operating expenses necessary to continue to operate our business, which may in turn affect our operating results.

        The industry in which we operate is capital intensive, and we anticipate that our capital requirements will continue to be significant in the coming years. Although we have reduced our operating expenses over the past few years, we may be unable to further significantly reduce these costs, even if revenue in some areas of our business is decreasing. While we believe that our planned level of capital expenditures will meet both our maintenance and our core growth requirements going forward, this may not be the case if circumstances underlying our expectations change.

Adverse changes in the value of assets or obligations associated with our employee benefit plans could negatively impact our liquidity and stockholders' equity balance.

        We maintain a qualified pension plan, a non-qualified pension plan and post-retirement benefit plans. The funded status of these plans is the difference between the value of all plan assets and benefit obligations under these plans. The process of calculating benefit obligations is complex. Adverse changes in interest rates or market conditions, among other assumptions and factors, could cause a significant increase in our benefit obligations or a significant decrease in the value of plan assets. With respect to our qualified pension plan, adverse changes could require us to contribute a material amount of cash to the plan or could accelerate the timing of any required cash payments. It is likely that we will be required to make a cash contribution to this plan in 2011. Any future material cash contributions in 2011 and beyond could have a negative impact on our liquidity by reducing our cash flows.

61

        In addition, our condensed consolidated balance sheets indirectly reflect the value of all plan assets and benefit obligations under these plans. The accounting for employee benefit plans is complex, and significant increases in our benefit obligations or significant decreases of the value of plan assets can occur without necessarily impacting our net income in the short term. In addition, our benefit obligations could increase significantly if we need to unfavorably revise the assumptions we used to calculate the obligations. The value of plan assets was several times larger than our stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2007. However, asset values decreased significantly in 2008, which caused our previous stockholders' equity position to become a deficit position as of December 31, 2008. Stockholders' equity or deficit is one of several measures used by certain customers and vendors, among others, to evaluate a company's financial condition. As such, our current stockholders' deficit position or any future increases in our stockholders' deficit could adversely impact our competitiveness in obtaining favorable purchase arrangements and make it more challenging to compete for certain sales contracts, among other things.

Our debt agreements allow us to incur significantly more debt, which could exacerbate the other risks described in this report.

        The terms of our debt instruments permit us to incur additional indebtedness. Additional debt may be necessary for many reasons, including to adequately respond to competition, to comply with regulatory requirements related to our service obligations or for financial reasons alone. Incremental borrowings or borrowings at maturity on terms that impose additional financial risks to our various efforts to improve our operating results and financial condition could exacerbate the other risks described in this report.

If we pursue and are involved in any strategic transactions, our financial condition could be adversely affected.

        On a regular and ongoing basis, we review and evaluate opportunities for acquisitions, dispositions and other strategic transactions that could be beneficial. As a result, we may be involved in negotiations or discussions that, if they were to result in a transaction, could have a material effect on our financial condition (including short-term or long-term liquidity) or short-term or long-term operating results.

        Should we make an error in judgment when identifying strategic transaction partners or fail to successfully execute any strategic transaction, we will likely fail to realize the benefits we intended to derive from the strategic transaction and may suffer other adverse consequences. Strategic transactions may involve a number of other risks, including:

•

incurrence of substantial transaction costs;

•

diversion of management's attention from operating our existing business;

•

failure to successfully integrate any acquired operations;

•

charges to earnings in the event of any write-down or write-off of goodwill recorded in connection with strategic transactions;

•

depletion of our cash resources or incurrence of additional indebtedness to fund strategic transactions;

•

an adverse impact on our tax position;

•

assumption of liabilities of any acquired business (including unforeseen liabilities); and

•

imposition of additional regulatory obligations by federal or state regulators.

        We can give no assurance that we would be able to successfully complete any strategic transactions.

62

Other Risks Relating to Qwest

If conditions or assumptions differ from the judgments, assumptions or estimates used in our critical accounting policies, the accuracy of our financial statements and related disclosures could be affected.

        The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our critical accounting policies, which are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, describe those significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that are considered "critical" because they require judgments, assumptions and estimates that materially impact our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, if future events or assumptions differ significantly from the judgments, assumptions and estimates in our critical accounting policies, these events or assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Taxing authorities may determine we owe additional taxes relating to various matters, which could adversely affect our financial results.

        As a significant taxpayer, we are subject to frequent and regular audits by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, as well as state and local tax authorities. These audits could subject us to tax liabilities if adverse positions are taken by these tax authorities.

        Because prior to 1999 we were a member of affiliated groups filing consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns, we could be severally liable for tax examinations and adjustments not directly applicable to current members of the Qwest affiliated group. Tax sharing agreements have been executed between us and previous affiliates, and we believe the liabilities, if any, arising from adjustments to previously filed returns would be borne by the affiliated group member determined to have a deficiency under the terms and conditions of such agreements and applicable tax law. We have not generally provided for liabilities attributable to former affiliated companies or for claims they have asserted or may assert against us.

        We believe that we have adequately provided for tax contingencies. However, our tax audits and examinations may result in tax liabilities that differ materially from those that we have recorded in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Because the ultimate outcomes of all of these matters are uncertain, we can give no assurance as to whether an adverse result from one or more of them will have a material effect on our financial results or our net operating loss carryforwards.

If we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements with our labor unions as they expire from time to time, or if our unionized employees were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, our business and operating results could be materially harmed.

        We are a party to collective bargaining agreements with our labor unions, which represent a significant number of our employees. Our current four-year agreements with the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers expire on October 6, 2012. Although we believe that our relations with our employees and unions are satisfactory, no assurance can be given that we will be able to successfully extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements as they expire from time to time. The impact of future negotiations, including changes in wages and benefit levels, could have a material impact on our financial results. Also, if we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements, if significant disputes with our unions arise, or if our unionized workers engage in a strike or other work stoppage, we could incur higher ongoing labor costs or experience a significant disruption of operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

63

The trading price of our securities has been and could continue to be volatile.

        The capital markets often experience extreme price and volume fluctuations. The overall market and the trading price of our securities may fluctuate greatly. The trading price of our securities may be significantly affected by various factors, including:

•

quarterly fluctuations in our operating results;

•

changes in investors' and analysts' perception of the business risks and conditions of our business;

•

broader market fluctuations;

•

general economic or political conditions;

•

acquisitions and financings including the issuance of substantial number of shares of our common stock as consideration in acquisitions;

•

the high concentration of shares owned by a few investors;

•

sale of a substantial number of shares held by the existing shareholders in the public market, including shares issued upon exercise of outstanding options or upon the conversion of our convertible notes; and

•

general conditions in the telecommunications industry.

64

ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

        The following table contains information about repurchases of our common stock during the third quarter of 2009:

	Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(2)
Period
July 2009		31,043	$	4.05		—	$	193,126,784
August 2009		14,405	$	3.72		—	$	193,126,784
September 2009		74,092	$	3.70		—	$	193,126,784
Total		119,540				—

(1)

Amounts represent shares of common stock delivered to us as payment of withholding taxes due on the vesting of restricted stock issued under our Equity Incentive Plan.

(2)

In October 2006, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for up to $2 billion of our common stock. In light of current credit market conditions, the Board of Directors has extended the timeframe to complete these repurchases, which was originally scheduled to be completed in 2008. As of September 30, 2009, we had repurchased a total of $1.807 billion of common stock under this program.

65

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

        Exhibits identified in parentheses below are on file with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference. All other exhibits are provided as part of this electronic submission.

Exhibit Number			Description
	(3.1	)	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A, filed September 17, 1999, File No. 333-81149).
	(3.2	)	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
	(3.3	)	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Qwest Communications International Inc., adopted as of July 1, 2002 and amended as of May 25, 2004 and December 14, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 18, 2006, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.1	)	Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1990, by and between Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 001-03040).
	(4.2	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 1991, by and between U S WEST Communications, Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 001-03040).
	(4.3	)	Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 2, 1999, File No. 333-71603).
	(4.4	)	Indenture, dated as of November 27, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 2, 1999, File No. 333-71603).
	(4.5	)	Indenture, dated as of June 29, 1998, by and among U S WEST Capital Funding, Inc., U S WEST, Inc., and The First National Bank of Chicago (now known as Bank One Trust Company, N. A.), as trustee (incorporated by reference to U S WEST's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 18, 1998, File No. 001-14087).
	(4.6	)	Indenture, dated as of October 15, 1999, by and between Qwest Corporation and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, File No. 001-03040).
	(4.7	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2000, by and among U S WEST Capital Funding, Inc., U S WEST, Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc., and Bank One Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.8	)	Officer's Certificate of Qwest Corporation, dated March 12, 2002 (including forms of 87/8% notes due March 15, 2012) (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Form S-4, File No. 333-115119).

66

Exhibit Number			Description
	(4.9	)	Indenture, dated as of December 26, 2002, between Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2003, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.10	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 26, 2002, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.11	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 26, 2002, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 27, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.12	)	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 4, 2003, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.13	)	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 4, 2003, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 27, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001- 15577).
	(4.14	)	Indenture, dated as of February 5, 2004, among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.15	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 19, 2004, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.16	)	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated November 23, 2004, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 23, 2004, File No. 001-03040).

67

Exhibit Number			Description
	(4.17	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 17, 2005, among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.18	)	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2005, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.19	)	Second Supplemental Indenture, dated June 23, 2005, among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.20	)	Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2005, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.21	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2005, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.22	)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2005, by and among Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, N.A. as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.23	)	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 8, 2006, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2006, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.24	)	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 16, 2007, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2007, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.25	)	Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated April 13, 2009, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2009, File No. 001-15577).
	(4.26	)	Third Supplemental Indenture, dated September 17, 2009, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2009, File No. 001-15577).
	(10.1	)	Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, File No. 001-15577).*

68

Exhibit Number			Description
	(10.2	)	Forms of restricted stock, performance share and option agreements used under Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2005, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 12, 2008, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.3	)	Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.4	)	Nonqualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.5	)	Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.6	)	Equity Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, File No. 000-22609).*
	(10.7	)	Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors, as amended and restated, and Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2005 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.8	)	Qwest Savings & Investment Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.9	)	2009 Qwest Management Bonus Plan Summary (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 10, 2009, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.10	)	Description of Executive Level Officer Access Only Health Care (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.11	)	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 18, 1999, with Anschutz Company and Anschutz Family Investment Company LLC (incorporated by reference to Qwest's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed April 28, 1999, File No. 000-22609).
	(10.12	)	Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 13, 2009, among Qwest Corporation and the initial purchasers listed therein (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 13, 2009, File No. 001-15577).

69

Exhibit Number			Description
	(10.13	)	Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 17, 2009, among Qwest Communications International Inc. and the initial purchasers listed therein (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 21, 2009, File No. 001-15577).
	(10.14	)	Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated August 20, 2009, by and between Edward A. Mueller and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2009, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.15	)	Equity Agreement, dated August 10, 2007, by and between Edward A. Mueller and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 13, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.16	)	Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement, dated December 1, 2008, by and between Qwest Corporation and Edward A. Mueller (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, File No. 001-15577).
	(10.17	)	Form of Severance Agreement, effective as of December 10, 2008, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and each of Richard N. Baer, Teresa A. Taylor, C. Daniel Yost and Thomas E. Richards (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 15, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.18	)	Letter, dated August 19, 2008, from Qwest to Richard N. Baer (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 20, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.19	)	Severance Agreement, dated September 12, 2008, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and Joseph J. Euteneuer (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 12, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.20	)	Letter, dated September 12, 2008, from Qwest to Joseph J. Euteneuer (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 12, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.21	)	Letter, dated August 19, 2009, from Qwest to Joseph J. Euteneuer (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 21, 2009, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.22	)	Letter, dated August 19, 2008, from Qwest to Teresa A. Taylor (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.23	)	Letter, dated September 4, 2009, from Qwest to Teresa A. Taylor (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 8, 2009, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.24	)	Letter, dated August 19, 2008, from Qwest to C. Daniel Yost (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*

70

Exhibit Number			Description
	10.25		Severance Agreement, dated August 26, 2009, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and Christopher K. Ancell.*
	10.26		Letter, dated September 4, 2009, from Qwest to Christopher K. Ancell.*
	(10.27	)	Severance Agreement, dated July 28, 2003, by and between Bill Johnston and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.28	)	Amendment to Severance Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2006, by and between Bill Johnston and Qwest Services Corporation (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.29	)	Severance Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007, by and between John W. Richardson and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 7, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
	(10.30	)	Letter, dated July 28, 2008, from Qwest to Thomas E. Richards (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 29, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
	12		Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
	31.1		Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	31.2		Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	32		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
	99.1		Quarterly Segment Income.
	99.2		Quarterly Statements of Operations.
	101		Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Qwest Communications International Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (iv) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text.

(

)    Previously filed.

*

Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements.

        In accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of certain of our long-term debt are not filed herewith. Pursuant to this regulation, we hereby agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.

71

SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
By:	/s/ R. WILLIAM JOHNSTON R. William Johnston Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Chief Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

October 28, 2009

72

EX-10.25

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.25

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

        This Severance Agreement ("Agreement"), which is effective as of August 26, 2009 (the "Effective Date"), is by and between Christopher K. Ancell ("Executive"), who is an officer of Qwest Communications International Inc., a Delaware corporation having its principal executive offices in Denver, Colorado or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates ("Company") and who is employed by Qwest Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, and Company and any successor thereto:

        WHEREAS, the Company wishes to encourage Executive's continued service and dedication in the performance of Executive's duties; and

        WHEREAS, in order to induce Executive to remain in the employ of the Company, and in consideration for Executive's continued service to the Company, the Company agrees that Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement in the event that Executive's employment with the Company is terminated in the circumstances described herein.

        Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth below, Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

1.    TERM OF EMPLOYMENT; AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT.    This Agreement does not contain any promise or representation concerning the duration of Executive's employment. Executive's employment is at-will, and may be altered or terminated by either Executive or the Company at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. This at-will employment relationship may not be modified unless in a written agreement signed by Executive and either the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Administrative Officer.

2.    CHANGE IN CONTROL

        a.CHANGE IN CONTROL DEFINED:    For purposes of this Agreement, "Change in Control" shall have the definition currently in the Qwest Equity Incentive Plan ("Stock Plan").

        b.STOCK OPTIONS/EQUITY:    The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, periodically grant Executive additional stock options or other awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. Notwithstanding the terms of any stock option agreement to the contrary, upon a Change in Control, all awards granted to Executive between September 19, 2002 and August 26, 2009 under the Equity Incentive Plan shall immediately vest and all stock options shall remain exercisable for the full term of such option. All awards granted after August 26, 26, 2009 will vest according to the terms of the applicable equity agreement

3.    TERMINATION.    

        a.Termination for Cause.    The Company may, in its sole discretion, immediately terminate this Agreement and Executive's employment for Cause by giving notice to Executive. If Executive's employment is terminated for Cause pursuant to this paragraph 3.a., Executive shall not be entitled to any severance payment or any other post-employment obligation provided under this Agreement. Any one or more of the following events shall, for purposes of this Agreement, constitute Cause:

        (1)   Commission of an act deemed by the Company in its sole discretion to be an act of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation or other act of moral turpitude that would reflect negatively upon Qwest or compromise the effective performance of Executive's duties;

        (2)   Unlawful conduct that would reflect negatively upon Qwest or compromise the effective performance of Executive's duties, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion;

        (3)   Conviction of (or pleading nolo contendere to) any felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

        (4)   Continued failure to substantially perform Executive's duties to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive Officer (other than such failure resulting from Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after the Chief Executive Officer delivers written notice to Executive specifically identifying the manner in which Executive has failed to substantially perform his or her duties and Executive has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to substantially perform his or her duties; or

        (5)   A willful violation of the Qwest Code of Conduct or other Qwest policies that would reflect negatively upon Qwest or compromise the effective performance of Executive's duties as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

For two years following a Change in Control, a termination for Cause shall require the approval of the Board of Directors.

        b.Severance Payments When Termination Not By Executive.

        (1)Termination without Cause by Company.    The parties agree that the Company may terminate Executive's employment without Cause. Except under circumstances described in subparagraph 3.b(2) below, if Company terminates Executive's employment without Cause, and Executive signs a complete waiver and release of claims against Qwest acceptable to Company in the form attached hereto as Attachment A ("Waiver"), then Company shall pay Executive the "Standard Severance Amount" defined below. The Waiver includes, among other terms, a provision requiring Executive to pay back to Qwest any severance received by Executive if after the payments are made it is determined that, while employed by Qwest or any Qwest entity, Executive engaged in conduct constituting Cause. The Waiver does not include a release of Qwest's obligations, if any, to indemnify Executive under Qwest bylaws or applicable state law. The Standard Severance Amount will equal one and one-half times Executive's highest annual base salary in effect during the 12 months preceding the termination of Executive's employment. The Standard Severance Amount will be paid over an 18-month period through the Company's regular management payroll processes, commencing on the Severance Payment Date, as defined in subparagraph 22.d., below. If, at the end of the 18-month period, Executive has not breached or threatened to breach any part of this Agreement, Executive will also receive a lump-sum payment equal to one and one-half times Executive's highest target annual bonus in effect during the 12 months preceding the termination of Executive's employment, minus any applicable or legally-required withholdings.

        (2)Change in Control Termination.    If Company (with the required approval of the Board of Directors) terminates Executive's employment without Cause within two years following a Change in Control, then, provided Executive signs a Waiver, as described in subparagraph 3.b.(1) above, Company shall pay Executive the Change in Control Severance Amount defined in the following sentence: The Change in Control Severance Amount payable to Executive will equal (a) (i) 2.99 times Executive's annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination of Executive's employment, or, if greater, Executive's annual base salary in effect at the time of the Change in Control, plus (ii) 2.99 times Executive's target annual bonus in effect at the time of the termination of Executive's employment, or, if greater, Executive's target annual bonus in effect at the time of the Change in Control. The Change in Control Severance amount will be paid in a lump sum on the Severance Payment Date, as defined in subparagraph 22.d., below.

        c.Change in Control Termination for Good Reason.    Executive may terminate his or her employment for Good Reason after giving written notice to the Company within 60 days after an event constituting Good Reason, (as defined in subparagraph 3.c.(1) below), following which, the Company will have a period of 30 days in which to remedy the condition without triggering payment under this subparagraph 3.c. If the Company fails to remedy the condition and Executive

2

terminates Executive's employment for Good Reason within two years following a Change in Control, then, provided Executive signs a Waiver (as defined in subparagraph 3.b.(1) above), Company shall pay Executive the Change in Control Severance Amount, as described in subparagraph 3.b.(2) above in a lump sum on the Severance Payment Date, as defined in subparagraph 22.d., below.

        (1)Termination for Good Reason Following a Change in Control.    For purposes of this subparagraph 3.c., Good Reason shall mean:

(A)

a reduction of either base salary or Executive's target annual bonus, where the salary or annual target bonus are measured immediately prior to such reduction, as opposed to at the time of Executive's execution of this Agreement;



(B)

a material reduction of Executive's responsibilities, where such responsibilities are measured immediately prior to such reduction, as opposed to at the time of Executive's execution of this Agreement;



(C)

Company's material breach of this Agreement;



(D)

Company's failure to obtain the agreement of any successor to honor the terms of this Agreement; or



(E)

A requirement that Executive's primary work location be moved to a location that is greater than thirty-five straight line miles from Executive's primary work location immediately prior to the imposition of such requirement.

"Good Reason" shall not include any other circumstances, including but not limited to, Executive's discharge for Cause, Executive's resignation or retirement (other than in the circumstances set forth in (A)—(E) above), or any leave of absence.

        d.COBRA Coverage.    If Executive's employment is terminated pursuant to subparagraph 3.b(1) above, Executive may be eligible for Qwest-subsidized COBRA for a period of 18 months (unless Executive becomes ineligible for or forfeits severance benefits pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) following the Executive's election of COBRA health care continuation coverage (generally beginning as of the first day of the first month following the month in which Executive is designated as terminated on the Qwest payroll system) on the same basis as for active employees under the group medical plan. This provision shall not extend the period for which any Executive is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage.

4.    OFFSET.    To the extent permitted by law, any severance benefits received under this Agreement may be reduced by the amount(s) of any outstanding monetary debts Executive owes to Qwest; provided however, that no such offset shall accelerate or defer any benefit provided under this Agreement in violation of Code Section 409A. Such debts will be treated as satisfied to the extent of the withheld payments.

        It is the express intent of Qwest that the monies received under this Agreement be a set-off against amounts to which you are entitled under any applicable state unemployment statute.

5.    NONDISCLOSURE.    Executive will not disclose outside of Qwest or to any person within Qwest who does not have a legitimate business need to know, any Confidential Information (as defined below) during Executive's employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity. Executive will not disclose to anyone or make any use of any Confidential Information of Qwest after Executive's employment with Qwest ends for any reason, except as required by law after timely notice is given by Executive to Qwest. This agreement not to disclose or use Confidential Information means, among other things, that Executive, for a period of 18 months beginning on the effective date of the termination of Executive's employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity for any reason,

3

may not take or perform a job whose responsibilities would likely lead Executive to disclose or use Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the assumption and performance of such responsibilities, in that situation, would likely result in the disclosure or use of Confidential Information and would likely result in irreparable injury to Qwest. Moreover, during Executive's employment with Qwest, Executive shall not disclose or use for the benefit of Qwest, Executive or any other person or entity any confidential or trade secret information belonging to any former employer or other person or entity to which Executive owes a duty of confidence or nondisclosure of such information. If a court determines that this provision is too broad, Executive and Company agree that the court shall modify the provision to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable. "Confidential Information" is any oral or written information not generally known outside of Qwest, including without limitation, trade secrets, intellectual property, software and documentation, customer information (including, without limitation, customer lists), company policies, practices and codes of conduct, internal analyses, analyses of competitive products, strategies, merger and acquisition plans, marketing plans, corporate financial information, information related to negotiations with third parties, information protected by Qwest's privileges (such as the attorney-client privilege), internal audit reports, contracts and sales proposals, training materials, employment and personnel records, performance evaluations, and other sensitive information. This agreement does not relieve Executive of any obligations Executive has to Qwest under law. Nothing in this agreement shall limit, restrict, preclude or influence Executive's testimony in any way or cause Executive not to provide truthful testimony or information in any manner or in response to any inquiry by a governmental official.

6.    NONCOMPETE.    In light of Executive's senior level position with Qwest, an international corporation engaged in a highly competitive business environment, for a period of 18 months beginning on the effective date of the termination of Executive's employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity, regardless of the reason for the termination and regardless of the party bringing about the termination, Executive agrees not to, directly or indirectly, engage in any business or activity which is in direct competition with the Company or of any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in the telecommunications business. The foregoing shall not apply to passive investments by Executive of up to 2% of the voting stock of any publicly traded company or 5% of the voting stock or other securities of any privately held company, or to service by Executive on boards of directors of companies as permitted under this Agreement, regardless of whether such company competes with the Company. If a court or arbitrator determines that this provision is too broad, Executive and Company agree that the court or arbitrator should modify the provision to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable.

7.    NONSOLICITATION/NO-HIRE.    For a period of one year beginning on the effective date of the termination of Executive's employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity, regardless of the reason for the termination and regardless of the party bringing about the termination, Executive agrees not to induce any employee of Qwest to leave Qwest's employment. This agreement means, among other things, that Executive may not have any part in hiring anyone who is a Qwest employee, even if Executive is contacted by the Qwest employee first. For these purposes, employees of Qwest shall include all persons who are employed by the Company or any other Qwest entity at the time Executive violates this paragraph 7 or were employed by the Company or any other Qwest entity at any time during the six months preceding such violation. If a court determines that this provision is too broad, Executive and Company agree that the court should modify the provision to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable.

8.    REMEDIES FOR VIOLATION OF PARAGRAPHS 5, 6, OR 7.    The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to Qwest which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in paragraphs 5, 6, and 7, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, subject to paragraph 9, the Executive

4

agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion of this Agreement, Qwest or the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to Qwest.

9.    DISPUTE RESOLUTION; ARBITRATION.    Executive and the Company agree that in the event a dispute arises concerning or relating to Executive's employment with the Company, or any termination therefrom, the parties first shall attempt in good faith to resolve such dispute through mediation. If a resolution through mediation is not reached, then such dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the employment arbitration rules of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services ("JAMS") by a single impartial arbitrator experienced in employment law selected as follows: Company and Executive will attempt in good faith to agree upon impartial arbitrator within thirty days of a request for arbitration. If the parties cannot agree, they shall request a panel of ten arbitrators from JAMS and select an arbitrator pursuant to the JAMS rules. The arbitration shall take place in Denver, Colorado, and both Executive and the Company agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the arbitrator selected in accordance with JAMS' rules and procedures. The Federal Arbitration Act, as amended, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., ("FAA") and not state law, shall govern the arbitrability of all claims, provided they are enforceable under the FAA. Other than as set forth herein, the arbitrator shall have no authority to add to, detract from, change, amend, or modify existing law. The arbitrator shall have the authority to order such discovery as is necessary for a fair resolution of the dispute. The arbitrator shall also have the authority to award any and all relief or remedies provided under the statute or other law pursuant to which an asserted prevailing claim or defense is raised, as if the matter were being decided in court. The arbitrator may award punitive damages, if and only to the extent allowed by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; and the arbitrator shall be bound by any limitations on the amount of punitive or other damages imposed by said statutes. The arbitrator has no other authority to award punitive damages. The arbitrator will apply applicable statutes of limitation, including contractual statutes of limitations, will honor claims of privilege recognized by law, and will take reasonable steps to protect confidential or proprietary information, including the use of protective orders. The prevailing party in any arbitration shall be entitled to receive reasonable attorneys' fees, only to the extent such fees are provided by the statute or other law pursuant to which an asserted claim or defense is raised, as if the matter were being decided in court. The arbitrator's decision and award shall be final and binding, as to all Claims that were or could have been raised in the arbitration, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. Executive will pay the arbitrator's fees and expenses up to $150 and Qwest will pay any arbitrator fees and expenses in excess of such amount. Qwest will pay all of the arbitrator's fees and expenses if it commences the arbitration. The existence and subject matter of all arbitration proceedings, including without limitation, any settlements or awards there under, shall remain confidential and be subject to the Confidentiality provision of this Agreement. Executive and Qwest agree that if any term or portion of this Arbitration provision is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unenforceable or to be contrary to public policy or any law, then the invalid or unenforceable term or portion shall be severed in its entirety from this Agreement and the remainder of this Arbitration provision shall not be affected by any such invalidity or unenforceability but shall remain in full force and effect, as if the invalid or unenforceable term or portion thereof had not existed within the Arbitration provision. Executive understands that Qwest would suffer irreparable harm in the event of breached confidentiality, and such harm would not be fully compensable in monetary damages. If any party hereto files a judicial action asserting Claims subject to this Arbitration provision, and another party successfully stays such action and/or compels arbitration of such Claims, the party filing the initial judicial action shall pay the other party's costs and expenses incurred in seeking such stay and/or compelling arbitration, including reasonable attorneys' fees. THE COMPANY AND EMPLOYEE FURTHER AGREE THAT THE DISPUTE

5

RESOLUTION PROCEDURE AS PROVIDED IN THIS PARAGRAPH 9 SHALL BE THE EXCLUSIVE AND BINDING METHOD FOR RESOLVING ANY SUCH DISPUTE AND WILL BE USED INSTEAD OF ANY COURT ACTION, WHICH IS HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVED, EXCEPT FOR ANY REQUEST BY EITHER PARTY HERETO FOR TEMPORARY OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, OR A CHARGE OF DISCRIMINATION FILED WITH AN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY.

10.    COOPERATION AND REIMBURSEMENT.    Executive agrees, both during Executive's employment and following the termination of Executive's employment, to cooperate reasonably with the Company or any other Qwest entity in connection with any dispute, lawsuit, arbitration, or any internal or external investigation involving Qwest or any of their predecessors (a "Proceeding") with respect to which Qwest believes in good faith that Executive may possess relevant information. In that event, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, and for reasonable periods, Executive agrees to make himself or herself available for interviews, witness preparation sessions, and appearances in connection with any Proceeding (including, but not limited to, appearances at depositions, hearings and trials). Recognizing that upon Executive's separation from Company, participating in interviews or witness preparation sessions may be a burden, Company agrees to reimburse Executive for the time Executive spends involved in interviews and witness preparation sessions requested by Qwest at a rate equal to Executive's final base salary, computed on an hourly basis (assuming a 40 hour work week), for such time actually spent in such interviews or witness preparation sessions. In addition, Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses Executive incurs in connection with such interviews and witness preparation sessions. Company will not be obligated to reimburse Executive for lost wages, lost opportunities, or other financial consequences of such cooperation, or to make any other payment to Executive other than the payments by Company referred to in the two previous sentences of this paragraph of this Agreement; provided, however, nothing in this paragraph 10 shall impair or limit any rights or entitlement Executive may have to indemnification and director's and officer's liability insurance coverage. The parties further agree that Company will not, and will not be obligated to, reimburse Executive for any time spent testifying in any Proceeding (including, but not limited to, appearances at depositions, hearings and trials), although Company will reimburse reasonable expenses for such appearances, as provided above. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit, restrict, preclude, require or influence Executive's testimony in any Proceeding or cause Executive not to provide truthful testimony or information in any matter or in response to any inquiry by a government official or representative. Company's obligation to reimburse Executive as described above is conditional upon Executive providing, at all times, information that he objectively, reasonably and in good faith believes to be truthful in connection with any Proceeding.

11.    INDEMNIFICATION.    Both during Executive's employment and after the termination of Executive's employment for any reason, Company, or any subsidiary or successor of Company of which Executive is an officer or member of the board of directors, shall indemnify Executive and the Company shall advance Executive's related expenses when and as incurred, including but not limited to attorney fees to the fullest extent required or permitted by the current Bylaws and applicable law.

12.    SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.    This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, Executive's assigns, the Company, any other Qwest entity, and their successors and assigns.

13.    CHOICE OF LAW.    All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Colorado.

14.    SEVERABILITY.    If one or more terms, provisions or parts of this Agreement are found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, the terms, provisions or parts shall be modified to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to

6

make the provision enforceable. Additionally, all other terms, provisions and parts of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

15.    COMPLETE AGREEMENT.    This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters addressed in this Agreement, and supersedes all prior representations, understandings and agreements of the parties with respect to the matters addressed in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any and all prior agreements for the payment of severance benefits. The parties acknowledge that no promises or representations have been made to induce Company or Executive to sign this Agreement other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement, and that each party has signed this Agreement as a free and voluntary act. No term or provision of this Agreement may be modified or extinguished, in whole or in part, except by a writing which is dated and signed by both Executive and the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Administrative Officer of Company and approved by the Board Of Directors.

16.    CONSTRUCTION; REPRESENTATION.    In any interpretation of this Agreement, any ambiguities shall not be construed against any party on the basis that the party was the drafter. Executive represents that Executive is knowledgeable and sophisticated as to business matters, including the subject matter of this Agreement, that he or she has read this Agreement and that he understands its terms. Executive acknowledges that, prior to assenting to the terms of this Agreement, Executive has been encouraged to, and has been given a reasonable amount of time to review it, to consult with counsel of Executive's choice, and to negotiate at arm's-length with the Company as to its contents. Executive and Company agree that the language used in this Agreement is the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and that they have entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily and without pressure or coercion from anyone.

17.    CONDITIONAL REPAYMENT OF PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS.    If Executive receives benefits under Paragraph 3.b.(1) above, and, within two years following Executive's termination of employment, Company determines that during Executive's employment with Qwest, Executive engaged in conduct that would have constituted "Cause" for termination (as defined in 3.a. above), regardless of (i) when during Executive's employment with Qwest such conduct occurred, (ii) when Qwest knew or learns of such conduct or should have known of such conduct, or (iii) what Qwest now knows or should have known about Executive's conduct, then Company shall provide to Executive (or, if applicable, Executive's estate or beneficiary) written notification of such determination, which written notification shall expressly set forth the basis for Company's determination in reasonable detail. After Company provides this written notification to Executive, it may stop or withhold any payments which have not been made under this Agreement. If Executive disputes that such Cause exists or existed, Executive and his or her counsel shall make a presentation to the Company to request that Company withdraw such determination. If the matter is not settled or resolved after Executive's presentation to the Company, either party may commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction, subject to the waiver of any right to jury trial in Paragraph 9 above. In addition, if Executive breaches Executive's obligations under the Nondisclosure or Noncompete provisions of this Agreement, Company may stop or withhold any payments which have not been made under this Agreement.

        If a court finds that Cause exists or existed or that Executive has breached Executive's obligations under the Nondisclosure (Paragraph 5) or Noncompete (Paragraph 6) provisions of this Agreement, or if Executive does not timely commence an action disputing Company's Cause determination, Executive shall make prompt repayment to Company of the cash payments provided in Section 3 of this Agreement and other benefits received by Executive pursuant to this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the value of any discounted COBRA coverage). Consistent with applicable law, any repayments shall include an interest factor equal to the applicable federal short term interest rate pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 1274. Interest shall begin to accrue on the 31st day after Executive (or, if applicable, Executive's estate or beneficiary) received Company's written notification of its determination that such Cause exists or existed, and shall continue to accrue until complete

7

repayment is made to Company. If Company notifies Executive (or, if applicable, Executive's estate or beneficiary) in writing of the determination that Cause for termination exists prior to having made the payment required pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, such payment shall not be made unless the Company withdraws its determination, if the arbitrator determines that Cause did not exist, or if the parties agree otherwise.

18.    RE-EMPLOYMENT.    Executive agrees that if at any time during Executive's severance period Executive accepts employment with Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Corporation, any of their wholly-owned subsidiaries or any successor(s) thereto, all severance benefits to which he or she is entitled for the remainder of the severance period shall cease effective the date Executive accepts the position.

19.    WAIVER OF BREACH.    The waiver by either Company or Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach by either party.

20.    HEADINGS.    The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute part of the Agreement and shall not limit, be used to interpret or otherwise affect in any way the provisions of the Agreement.

21.    NOTICES.    Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and shall be deemed effective on the earlier of personal delivery (including personal delivery by telecopy or private overnight carrier) or the third day after mailing by first class mail to the recipient at the address indicated below:

To the Company:	Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer Qwest Communications International Inc. 1801 California Street Denver, CO 80202
To Executive:	Christopher K. Ancell at the address on file

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

22.    COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or the provision of any benefit provided under this Agreement constitutes "deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and any related guidance or regulations (collectively "Section 409A"), the following provisions shall apply:

        a.    Separation from Service.    No payment or provision of benefits shall be made upon a "termination of employment" unless such termination of employment also constitutes a "separation from service" under Section 409A ("Separation from Service").

        b.    Six Month Delay.    If Executive is a "specified employee" within the meaning of Section 409A, then the payment or provision of benefits shall be made as set forth below; provided, however, no such payment or provision shall be made before the date that is six months after Executive's Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of Executive's death) (the "6-Month Delay"). The determination of whether Executive is a "specified employee" shall be made by the Company in accordance with Section 409A.

8

        (1)    Payment of Cash Benefits.    Any cash payment hereunder to Executive, including, but not limited to the Standard Severance Amount, shall be paid according to the following provisions:

        (A)  the Standard Severance Amount shall be paid out as follows:

        (i)    a lump sum payment equal to one-third of the Standard Severance Amount will be paid within 15 business days following the 6-Month Delay;

        (ii)   the remainder of the Standard Severance Amount will be paid, in equal installments in accordance with the Company's regular management payroll processes for 12 months beginning as soon as administratively feasible after the payment under paragraph 22(b)(1)(A)(i) is made; and

        (iii)  if, at the end of the 18-month period following Separation from Service, Executive has not breached or threatened to breach any part of this Agreement, Executive also will receive a lump-sum payment equal to one and one half times Executive's highest annual target bonus in effect during the 12 months preceding the termination of Executive's employment, minus any applicable or legally-required withholdings, and such payment will be paid within 15 business days following the end of the 18-month period following Executive's Separation from Service.

        (B)  Any other provision of cash benefits that are subject to Section 409A and that are payable before the 6-Month Delay shall be paid as follows:

        (i)    a lump sum payment equal to one-third of the total cash benefit will be within 15 business days following the 6-Month Delay; and

        (ii)   the remainder of the total cash benefit will be paid, in equal installments in accordance with the Company's regular management payroll processes for 12 months beginning as soon as administratively feasible after the payment under paragraph 22(b)(1)(B)(i) is made.

        (2)    Payment of Noncash Benefits.    The payment for any noncash benefits that are subject to Section 409A, including, but not limited to, any applicable premium payments related to such noncash benefits, shall be made by Executive during the 6-Month Delay, and Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for such payments as soon as administratively practicable following the expiration of the 6-Month Delay. Executive shall be solely liable for all timely payments and elections as may be necessary to retain such noncash benefits, and the Company shall not be liable to Executive, any dependent and/or qualified beneficiary for any loss of any kind, including the loss of noncash benefits relating to Executive's failure to timely make any payments or elections as required under the applicable benefit plan or this paragraph 22. By signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges this provision and the ramifications, including the potential loss of benefits, of the failure to comply with this provision.

        c.    Modification.    The payment or provision of benefits under any other arrangement under this Agreement that is subject to Section 409A may be modified or amended in order to comply with Section 409A.

        d.    Waiver.    To the extent any payments due under the Agreement as a result of Executive's Separation from Service are subject to Executive's execution and delivery of a Waiver, in the absence of a bona fide dispute regarding the amounts owed, (1) the payments shall commence on the Severance Payment Date, (2) if Executive fails to execute such Waiver on or prior to the Severance Payment Date or timely revokes such Waiver thereafter, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits otherwise subject to the Waiver, and (3) in any case where the

9

Separation from Service date and the Severance Payment Date fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to Executive that are subject to the Waiver and are treated as nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year. The term "Severance Payment Date" shall mean the date that is 45 days after the Executive's Separation from Service.

23.    NO MITIGATION OF DAMAGES.    Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by another employer or by retirement benefits after the Date of Termination. The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish Executive's then existing rights, or rights which would accrue solely as a result of the passage of time, under any Company benefit plan or other contract, plan or arrangement.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties now execute this Agreement, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.:
By:	Richard N. Baer Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer
EXECUTIVE:
By:	Christopher K. Ancell Executive Vice President

10

ATTACHMENT A

WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

1.

Release and Waiver of Claims and Covenant Not to Sue.

        As a free and voluntary act, you hereby release and discharge and covenant not to sue, Qwest Communications International Inc., any present or former subsidiary or affiliated Company, any predecessor (including U S WEST and all its affiliates) or successor, and the directors, officers, employees, shareholders and agents of any or all of them, (hereinafter "Qwest"), from any and all debts, obligations, claims, liability, damages, punitive damages, demands, judgments and/or causes of action of any kind whatsoever, including specifically but not exclusively:

•

all claims relating to or arising out of your employment with Qwest and/or U S WEST;

•

all claims arising out of your Severance Agreement (except for claims arising under this Agreement);

•

all claims relating to or arising from any claimed breach of an alleged oral or written employment contract, quasi-contracts, implied contracts, payment for services, wages or salary and/or promissory estoppel;

•

any alleged tort claims;

•

any claims for libel and/or slander;

•

all claims relating to purported employment discrimination or civil rights violations or arising under any federal or state employment statutes including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1991; claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, § 1981a, § 1983, § 1985, or § 1988; claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; claims under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended; claims under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; claims under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act; and claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; or any other applicable federal, state or local statute or ordinance, including claims for attorneys' fees;

•

any claim for any disability payments under the Qwest Disability Plan or Qwest Pension Plan after your termination date. The reference to the Qwest Disability Plan and Qwest Pension Plan includes any successor or predecessor of such plans such as the former Sickness and Accident Disability Plan or Long Term Disability Plan of any Qwest or U S WEST entity and all benefits thereunder;

•

any and all claims which you might have or assert against Qwest (1) by reason of your employment with and/or termination of employment from Qwest and all circumstances related thereto; or (2) by reason of any other matter, cause, or dispute whatsoever between you and Qwest which arose prior to the effective date of this Agreement. This Agreement excludes any claims you may make under (1) the applicable state unemployment compensation laws, (2) applicable workers' compensation statutes, (3) for indemnification to the extent permitted or required by the bylaws of a Qwest company, your Severance Agreement or applicable state law; (4) claims as a shareholder of Qwest; (5) the right to enforce the severance and benefit continuation provisions of your Severance Agreement and any other provision of your Severance Agreement that by its terms extends beyond your termination of employment; (6) claims for vested employee benefits; and (7) claims which arise after the execution of this Waiver and Release Agreement;

11

•

your right to seek individual relief on your own behalf for any charges of discrimination filed with any federal, state or local agency, pending or otherwise, arising from or related to your employment or termination of employment with Qwest.

2.

Dispute Resolution; Arbitration.    By signing this Waiver and Release Agreement, you voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently reaffirm your agreement to paragraph 9 (Dispute Resolution; Arbitration of your Severance Agreement.

3.

You agree that the monies and benefits described above are considerations to which you would not otherwise be entitled unless you sign this Agreement, and that these considerations constitute payment in exchange for signing this Agreement.

4.

If one or more terms, provisions or parts of this Agreement are found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, the terms, provisions or parts shall be modified to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable. You agree that if any portion of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable or prohibited, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, unless the material terms and intent of this Agreement are materially changed by the fact that a portion of this Agreement is unenforceable or prohibited.

5.

You agree that this Agreement shall not be admissible in any proceeding as evidence of any improper conduct by Qwest against you and Qwest denies that it has taken any improper action against you in violation of any federal, state, or local law or common law principle.

6.

You acknowledge that no promises or representations have been made to induce you to sign this Agreement other than as expressly set forth herein and that you have signed this Agreement as a free and voluntary act.

7.

You acknowledge that this release means, in part, that you give up all your rights to damages and/or money based upon any claims against Qwest of age discrimination. You do not waive your rights to make claims for damages and/or money which arise after the date this Agreement is signed. Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, you have the right within seven days of the date you sign this Agreement to revoke your waiver of rights to claim damages and/or money. In the event you revoke your agreement to be obligated to the terms of this Agreement, the benefits offered herein shall be null and void, meaning you will receive no involuntary termination benefits under your Severance Agreement. To be effective, your revocation must be in writing and delivered to Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Resources Officer, Qwest Communications International Inc. 1801 California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, within the seven-day period. If by mail, the revocation must be (1) postmarked within the seven-day period, (2) properly addressed, and (3) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

8.

You acknowledge that you (a) have had sufficient opportunity (not less than 45 days) to review this Waiver and Release Agreement, (b) have been encouraged to consult with and have had sufficient opportunity to consult with your attorney and financial advisor before signing this Waiver and Release Agreement, and (c) that you understand and agree to all of the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement.

12

AGREEMENT

I have read and I understand the terms of the foregoing Waiver and Release, and I hereby agree to all of the terms of the foregoing Agreement.

Executive's Signature (Date)

Please return all pages of this signed agreement to:

Executive Compensation
1801 California Street
23^rd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80202

13

QuickLinks

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

EX-10.26

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 10.26

September 4, 2009

Christopher A. Ancell
1801 California Street
Denver, CO 80202

Dear Chris:

        I am pleased to offer you a promotion to the position of Executive Vice President, Business Markets Group, reporting directly to me, effective August 26, 2009. I am confident of the value you will continue to bring to the business. The key compensation opportunities of your promotion are highlighted below.

1.

Base Salary:    Your base salary increases to $375,000 per annum.

2.

Annual Bonus Plan:    You will be eligible to participate in the annual bonus plan for 2009. Your target bonus will be 100% of your annual base pay (based upon your performance rating, if any, prorated to reflect your promotion date and other changes in accordance with the terms of the plan and adjusted for Company, business unit and individual performance).

3.

Equity Incentive Plan:    You are entitled to participate in Qwest's Equity Incentive Plan. You will receive an equity award with an approximate value of $1,500,000. Fifty five percent of the equity value will be awarded in performance shares. The performance shares will vest on September 3, 2012, as long as you remain continuously employed by Qwest over that period. Forty five percent of the equity value will be awarded in restricted stock. The restricted stock award will vest in one-third installments per year for three years beginning one year from the date of the grant, for as long as you remain in continuously employed by Qwest over that period. The grant date of the equity award will be September 4, 2009.

4.

Executive Perquisite:    Your annual executive perquisite benefit increases to $35,000 (grossed up for income tax). For 2009, you received an executive perquisite benefit of $15,000 in January and you will receive an additional executive perquisite benefit of $35,000 (grossed up for income tax). Your perquisite check will be paid to you on or before September 18, 2009.

5.

Executive Benefits:    As an Executive Vice President, you are eligible for the following:

a)

35 days of time off with pay per year

b)

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan—This plan makes up the difference between what would be paid under the Qwest Pension Plan, without IRS limits on compensation, and what is actually paid under that plan.

c)

Supplemental Executive Disability Coverage—You are eligible to receive up to 52 weeks of short term disability benefits. This benefit pays 70% of your base pay and target bonus.

In addition, if your employment ends as a result of a disability, you are eligible to receive a long-term disability benefit of 60% of base pay and target bonus.

        Please pay special attention to the following items, as this promotion is conditional upon your completion of each:

6.

Severance Agreement:    As a condition of this promotion, you are required to sign the attached Severance Agreements within 30 days and return one copy to Jana Venus at 1801 California Street, 23^rd Floor, Denver, CO 80202. You may retain the other copy for your files.

7.

Background Check.    As a condition of this promotion, you must undergo and pass a background check at this time. Please complete and return the enclosed Request for Information and Consent and Disclosure forms within 5 business days of your receipt of this letter to Jana Venus at 1801

California Street, 23^rd Floor, Denver, CO 80202. You will not be contacted as to the results of the background check unless there is a problem.

        On behalf of the entire Qwest Senior team, let me congratulate you. We look forward to your continued strong performance and the contribution you will make to the success of Qwest.

Sincerely,

Teresa A. Taylor
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

2

QuickLinks

Exhibit 10.26

EX-12

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 12

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES(2)
(UNAUDITED)

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
				Years Ended December 31,
				2008			2007			2006			2005			2004
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles	$	726		$	1,051		$	620		$	517		$	(765	)	$	(1,706	)
Add: estimated fixed charges		896			1,180			1,253			1,327			1,653			1,678
Add: estimated amortization of capitalized interest		10			15			12			12			14			13
Less: interest capitalized		(10	)		(21	)		(16	)		(14	)		(13	)		(12	)
Total earnings available for fixed charges	$	1,622		$	2,225		$	1,869		$	1,842		$	889		$	(27	)
Estimate of interest factor on rentals	$	76		$	90		$	98		$	104		$	152		$	135
Interest expense, including amortization of premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs(1)		810			1,069			1,139			1,209			1,488			1,531
Interest capitalized		10			21			16			14			13			12
Total fixed charges	$	896		$	1,180		$	1,253		$	1,327		$	1,653		$	1,678
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		1.8			1.9			1.5			1.4			nm			nm
Additional pre-tax income needed for earnings to cover total fixed charges	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	764		$	1,705

nm—Negative ratios or ratios less than 1.0 are considered not meaningful.

(1)

Interest expense includes only interest related to long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations.

(2)

We have reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current quarter presentation.

QuickLinks

Exhibit 12

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES(2) (UNAUDITED)

EX-31.1

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Edward A. Mueller, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Qwest Communications International Inc.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: October 28, 2009

/s/ EDWARD A. MUELLER
Edward A. Mueller
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

QuickLinks

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

EX-31.2

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Joseph J. Euteneuer, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Qwest Communications International Inc.;

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: October 28, 2009

/s/ JOSEPH J. EUTENEUER
Joseph J. Euteneuer
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

QuickLinks

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

EX-32

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 32

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

        Each of the undersigned hereby certifies, for the purposes of section 1350 of chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in his capacity as an officer of Qwest Communications International Inc. ("Qwest"), that, to his knowledge, the Quarterly Report of Qwest on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Qwest. This written statement is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to such Form 10-Q. A signed original of this statement has been provided to Qwest and will be retained by Qwest and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Dated: October 28, 2009
	By:	/s/ EDWARD A. MUELLER Edward A. Mueller Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: October 28, 2009
	By:	/s/ JOSEPH J. EUTENEUER Joseph J. Euteneuer Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

QuickLinks

Exhibit 32

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

EX-99.1

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 99.1

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
QUARTERLY SEGMENT INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

				2009									2008												2007
				Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
				(Dollars in millions)
Total segment revenue				$	2,958		$	3,000		$	3,093		$	3,215		$	3,286		$	3,291		$	3,318		$	3,338		$	3,338		$	3,364		$	3,360
Total segment expenses					1,417			1,444			1,498			1,598			1,782			1,713			1,738			1,767			1,750			1,740			1,749
Total segment income				$	1,541		$	1,556		$	1,595		$	1,617		$	1,504		$	1,578		$	1,580		$	1,571		$	1,588		$	1,624		$	1,611
Total segment margin percentage					52	%		52	%		52	%		50	%		46	%		48	%		48	%		47	%		48	%		48	%		48	%
Total access lines					10,561			10,889			11,222			11,565			11,869			12,189			12,497			12,789			13,032			13,272			13,551
Business markets:
	Revenue:
			Strategic services	$	402		$	394		$	388		$	382		$	361		$	345		$	331		$	319		$	303		$	288		$	278
			Legacy services		477			493			505			505			525			534			545			548			556			568			576
		Total strategic and legacy services			879			887			893			887			886			879			876			867			859			856			854
		Data integration			153			132			124			163			158			134			116			138			117			112			109
	Total revenue				1,032			1,019			1,017			1,050			1,044			1,013			992			1,005			976			968			963
	Expenses:
		Direct segment expenses			300			285			292			327			339			292			282			307			261			267			246
		Assigned facility, network and other expenses			323			326			329			329			336			340			335			336			324			317			322
	Total expenses				623			611			621			656			675			632			617			643			585			584			568
	Income			$	409		$	408		$	396		$	394		$	369		$	381		$	375		$	362		$	391		$	384		$	395
	Margin percentage				40	%		40	%		39	%		38	%		35	%		38	%		38	%		36	%		40	%		40	%		41	%
	Access lines				2,468			2,526			2,582			2,636			2,680			2,713			2,748			2,791			2,807			2,822			2,845
Mass markets:
	Revenue:
			Strategic services	$	346		$	348		$	349		$	341		$	335		$	333		$	326		$	307		$	296		$	281		$	266
			Legacy services		860			888			920			946			975			996			1,029			1,048			1,067			1,085			1,094
		Total strategic and legacy services			1,206			1,236			1,269			1,287			1,310			1,329			1,355			1,355			1,363			1,366			1,360
		Qwest- branded wireless products and services(1)			20			33			55			89			116			125			129			132			137			133			133
	Total revenue				1,226			1,269			1,324			1,376			1,426			1,454			1,484			1,487			1,500			1,499			1,493
	Expenses:
		Direct segment expenses			250			272			288			294			323			328			354			375			368			355			356
		Assigned facility, network and other expenses			303			306			312			346			428			397			409			415			419			414			410
	Total expenses				553			578			600			640			751			725			763			790			787			769			766
	Income			$	673		$	691		$	724		$	736		$	675		$	729		$	721		$	697		$	713		$	730		$	727
	Margin percentage				55	%		54	%		55	%		53	%		47	%		50	%		49	%		47	%		48	%		49	%		49	%
	Broadband subscribers				2,951			2,923			2,889			2,847			2,793			2,732			2,701			2,611			2,516			2,405			2,305
	Video subscribers				862			853			832			798			761			722			690			649			605			554			491
	Wireless subscribers				786			763			747			717			772			811			816			824			819			807			812
	Access lines				7,045			7,288			7,537			7,796			8,022			8,266			8,502			8,707			8,887			9,065			9,273
Wholesale markets(2):
	Revenue:
			Strategic services	$	303		$	303		$	309		$	310		$	309		$	305		$	303		$	301		$	299		$	298		$	298
			Legacy services		397			409			443			479			507			519			539			545			563			599			606
	Total revenue				700			712			752			789			816			824			842			846			862			897			904
	Expenses:
		Direct segment expenses			35			42			49			43			45			46			45			19			48			48			53
		Assigned facility, network and other expenses			206			213			228			259			311			310			313			315			330			339			362
	Total expenses				241			255			277			302			356			356			358			334			378			387			415
	Income			$	459		$	457		$	475		$	487		$	460		$	468		$	484		$	512		$	484		$	510		$	489
	Margin percentage				66	%		64	%		63	%		62	%		56	%		57	%		57	%		61	%		56	%		57	%		54	%
	Access lines				1,048			1,075			1,103			1,133			1,167			1,210			1,247			1,291			1,338			1,385			1,433

(1)

The decrease in Qwest-branded wireless products and services revenue in 2009 and 2008 compared to 2007 is primarily due to fewer wireless subscribers as we transition to selling Verizon Wireless services. We record the revenue that we earn from our Verizon Wireless arrangement in strategic services revenue. Only revenue associated with our pre-existing arrangement is recorded in wireless services revenue.

(2)

Long-distance services revenue, primarily in our wholesale markets segment, of $88 million and $93 million was reclassified from strategic services revenue to legacy services revenue for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

QuickLinks

Exhibit 99.1

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. QUARTERLY SEGMENT INCOME (UNAUDITED)

EX-99.2

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 99.2

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.
QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(1)
(UNAUDITED)

			2009									2008												2007
			Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1			Q4			Q3			Q2		Q1
			(Dollars in millions)
Operating revenue			$	3,054		$	3,090		$	3,173		$	3,315		$	3,379		$	3,382		$	3,399		$	3,435		$	3,434		$	3,463	$	3,446
Operating expenses:
	Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization):
		Facility costs		377			398			419			463			550			552			556			550			558			567		589
		Employee-related costs		306			301			295			308			373			314			375			339			347			347		350
		Equipment sales costs		129			109			95			121			146			137			119			151			127			122		118
		Other		120			126			119			131			163			146			131			144			140			133		121
	Total cost of sales			932			934			928			1,023			1,232			1,149			1,181			1,184			1,172			1,169		1,178
	Selling:
		Employee-related costs		248			266			294			291			295			291			292			281			287			293		279
		Marketing, advertising and external commissions		134			136			137			148			151			139			149			164			153			150		135
		Other		78			92			117			112			129			102			109			101			110			102		107
	Total selling			460			494			548			551			575			532			550			546			550			545		521
	General, administrative and other operating:
		Employee-related costs		161			172			158			139			121			110			119			112			118			118		144
		Taxes and fees		160			152			145			148			155			123			163			161			164			178		159
		Real estate and occupancy cost		110			107			108			106			117			114			117			109			114			111		111
		Other		165			162			164			188			126			212			173			186			518			193		202
	Total general, administrative and other operating			596			593			575			581			519			559			572			568			914			600		616
	Depreciation and amortization			581			578			573			601			599			578			576			613			619			615		612
Total operating expenses				2,569			2,599			2,624			2,756			2,925			2,818			2,879			2,911			3,255			2,929		2,927
Operating income				485			491			549			559			454			564			520			524			179			534		519
Other expense (income)—net:
	Interest expense—net			274			276			260			264			263			270			272			279			283			285		292
	Other—net			—			(2	)		(9	)		5			(27	)		(4	)		3			(3	)		(9	)		14		(5	)
Total other expense (income)—net				274			274			251			269			236			266			275			276			274			299		287
Income (loss) before income taxes				211			217			298			290			218			298			245			248			(95	)		235		232
Income tax (expense) benefit				(75	)		(5	)		(92	)		(113	)		(73	)		(118	)		(95	)		106			2,166			—		(2	)
Net income			$	136		$	212		$	206		$	177		$	145		$	180		$	150		$	354		$	2,071		$	235	$	230

(1)

We have reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current quarter presentation.

QuickLinks

Exhibit 99.2

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC. QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(1) (UNAUDITED)