The Democratic National Convention Committee and Qwest announced today that they have finalized a deal that makes the Denver-based company the official telecommunications provider for the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

The convention will be held Aug. 25 to Aug. 28 in Denver.

Qwest, which has pledged $6 million in cash and in-kind contributions to the convention, said it will provide a wide range of communications services, from phone to Internet.

The company will provide wireline voice and data services, including high-speed Internet, for the DNCC, delegates and more than 15,000 members of the media expected to visit Denver for the convention. Qwest also will supply the cabling for voice and data services for the DNCC and media at the Pepsi Center, site of the event.

The committee highlighted Qwest's fiber-optic network and "union labor force" in a statement announcing the deal.

"Qwest has been a longtime partner of the Denver business community — and today we are proud to call them our partner, too," said Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Qwest's state-of-the-art network and skilled union labor force will play a significant role in helping us deliver a spectacular event to the American people and media outlets around the world."

Financial details of the deal weren't included in the release.

Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com