TO: EDITORS, NEWS DIRECTORS

DATE: June 15, 2000

FOR: IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Commission Sets Date to Decide U S WEST - Qwest Merger

PHOENIX - The Arizona Corporation Commission will meet in a public forum on Friday, June 23 for discussion and a possible vote by the three Commissioners on the merger of U S WEST Communications and Qwest Communications. The Open Meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and continue until noon at 1200 West Washington in Phoenix.

A separate session for public comment is set for the previous afternoon. Anyone who desires an opportunity to speak about the merger may attend the public comment session on Thursday, June 22 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the same address. The Friday date is reserved for a discussion of the case and a vote of the Commissioners.

The Chief Hearing Officer, an Administrative Law Judge, released his Opinion and Recommended Order on Monday, June 12. Based on evidence presented, testimony and cross-examination of the parties, the Opinion and Recommended Order declares that the merger should be approved, subject to the conditions outlined in the document.

This Hearing Officer's Opinion and Recommended Order is available on the Commission's website at www.cc.state.az.us under the Hot Topics link. Interested parties are encouraged to open the Opinion and Recommended Order, print the document and close out of it. Keeping the document open and reading it online may limit access to the document by others.

For more information, please check the Commission's website at www.cc.state.az.us or call the Public Information Office at (602)542-0844.