CenturyLink, Verizon Wireless Announce Agreement

MONROE, La. and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) and Verizon Wireless announced they have entered into an agreement under which CenturyLink will be an authorized agent of Verizon Wireless. As such, CenturyLink will offer Verizon Wireless equipment and service plans to its residential and small business customers.

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Financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

"We believe this wireless agreement will benefit our customers by expanding the portfolio of communications products and services we offer," said Glen Post, CenturyLink chief executive officer and president. "With this addition, customers will soon have the convenience and advantages of one-stop shopping for their broadband, entertainment, voice and wireless services."

CenturyLink customers will be able to choose from Verizon Wireless' full lineup of devices, including smartphones, feature phones, and Internet devices such as tablets, netbooks, mobile hotspots, and USB modems.

In addition, CenturyLink customers will have access to Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network which is available today in 38 major metropolitan areas and more than 60 airports, and will be expanded to an additional 140 markets by the end of 2011.  

"We welcome the opportunity to serve CenturyLink customers with wireless products and services that meet their individual needs, on the nation's most reliable 3G network and the fastest, most advanced 4G LTE network," said Dan Mead, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless.  

CenturyLink will announce later this spring the effective date when its customers will be able to begin purchasing wireless handsets and services.

About CenturyLink

CenturyLink is a leading provider of high-quality broadband, entertainment and voice services over its advanced communications networks to consumers and businesses in 33 states. CenturyLink, headquartered in Monroe, La., is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America's largest corporations. For more information on CenturyLink, visit www.centurylink.com.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 94 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 82,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

SOURCE CenturyLink, Inc.