Qwest Becomes First Carrier To Launch Products And Services For Federal Networx Universal Contract

Denver.- Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is the first carrier to launch products and services for Networx Universal, a contract awarded from the Government Services Administration (GSA) worth approximately $20 billion, to provide leading-edge voice, data and video services, including managed and secure advanced data networks, to the federal government during the next 10 years.

“Qwest is committed to helping government customers take a strategic view of the range of services and technologies under Networx Universal that will transform their agency’s communications,” said Diana Gowen, senior vice president and general manager of Qwest government services. “We want to ensure the agencies get what they need today, and most importantly, what they will need tomorrow.”

At a presentation today in Washington, D.C., with representatives of federal agencies, Qwest debuted the full suite of 39 services required by the GSA. Qwest is one of just three nationwide providers for Networx Universal.

The company also showcased the Qwest Control Networx Portal, a fully integrated Operational Support System (OSS), which includes trouble management and proactive notification to ensure highly effective communication and reporting capabilities, that is only available to federal customers that use Qwest.

“The Qwest Control Networx Portal is a unique source for federal agencies to obtain servicing, ordering and provisioning that generates a complete invoice,” Gowen said. “It replaces the multiple processes that previously were necessary to obtain each of those services and provides a streamlined and time-saving system that will result in big savings for government users.”

Qwest recently received an “Order to Proceed” from GSA and plans to take the first orders from federal agencies on the Networx Universal contract later this year. Currently, Qwest provides communications products and services to more than 50 federal civil and defense and intelligence agencies under several contracts.