Qwest meets first-quarter earnings projections.(Qwest Communications International Inc.)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

In its first-quarter earnings report, Qwest Communications International Inc. announced that it will meet earnings projections for 2001 despite a slowdown in telecommunications.

Qwest experienced a 12 percent increase in revenue, which is two to three times that of any other company in the industry, said Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio.

"Our competitors are blaming everything on the economy for not making their numbers," Nacchio said. "It may be harder, but we're doing what we get paid to do."

Revenue for the first quarter increased to $5.05 billion and Qwest confimed its 2001 end-of-year target of $21.3 billion to $21.7 billion. Quest's pro forma net …