DENVER -- Qwest CommunicationsInternational Inc. (NYSE: Q) has been awarded two contracts by theGeneral Services Administration (GSA) to provide local voice and dataservices to federal agencies located throughout nine Western states.The combined value of the awards is nearly $10 million but likely will be more as the agencies determine their service needs over the lengthof the contracts.

Both competitive contracts have been awarded solely to Qwest,which is providing offices and facilities of federal governmentagencies in these regions a range of products and services, includinghosting and voice-over-Internet protocol, or "VoIP" technologies, aswell as performance criteria and billing structure that are requiredby GSA.

"Qwest has a successful track record of providing services to the federal government through its leading nationwide network that offersabundant capacity and advanced technology," said Diana Gowen, Qwestsenior vice president and general manager of government services."Qwest is ready to provide the services the federal government needsnow and in future programs, such as Networx, as the agencies transformtheir technology."

Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q)