Today CenturyLink issued the following statement regarding the Next Generation Television Marketplace Act:

“We commend Rep. Steve Scalise and Sen. Jim DeMint for introducing comprehensive legislation that will hit the reset button on the rules governing the video marketplace,” said Steve Davis, CenturyLink’s senior vice president of public policy and government relations. “CenturyLink is making investments to bring more competitive video choices to millions of customers across our network, but today’s outdated video regulations have become an obstacle to us and other new entrants and competition generally. We hope this legislation spurs a thoughtful, long overdue debate, and we look forward to working with all members of Congress as it progresses.”

CenturyLink issued the following statement regarding the Senate Commerce Committee’s vote to confirm Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai to serve as Federal Communications Commission commissioners:

“We are pleased the Senate Commerce Committee has approved the nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai to serve on the Federal Communications Commission and hope for a speedy confirmation by the Senate,” said Steve Davis, CenturyLink’s senior vice president of public policy and government relations. “We believe that the candidates’ experience and understanding of the communications field will help them address the complex issues our industry faces. We look forward to working with them once they are confirmed by the Senate.”

We are pleased to announce that the General Services Administration (GSA) has selected CenturyLink to participate in Connections II, a $5 billion, multiple-award contract program. This allows for federal government agencies to purchase telecommunications, network and communications solutions.

Connections II meets the needs of government agencies and authorized users as they procure equipment, building, and campus infrastructure for their communications and networks. For more information, please read below for more details on the announcement CenturyLink made earlier this week.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has selected CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) to participate in Connections II, a $5 billion, multiple-award contract program with a base of three years and three months, and six one-year government options, for federal government agencies to purchase telecommunications, network and communications solutions.

Connections II meets the needs of government agencies and authorized users as they procure equipment, building, and campus infrastructure for their communications and networks. The contract program provides professional services to support existing federal networks, including customized designs and client-specific solutions. Agencies can also use the contract for transition planning and integration services or infrastructure installation and implementation.

“CenturyLink is pleased to add Connections II to the other contract programs it offers to federal agencies for acquiring services that support their critical and advancing communications networks,” said Diana Gowen, senior vice president and general manager of CenturyLink Government Solutions in Arlington. “Through Connections II, CenturyLink will provide customized designs and solutions for building the communications networks that agencies increasingly rely on to deliver their unique and critical services to the nation.”

In addition to Connections II and Networx, the largest global communications contract program ever developed for the federal government by GSA, CenturyLink participates in other purchasing programs used by the Department of Defense and civilian agencies, including GSA Federal Supply Schedule 70, Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) Access Transport Services, and regional GSA contracts that support selected areas of the country.

CenturyLink ranks #55 on Washington Technology’s list of the Top 100 largest federal government contractors.

About CenturyLink

CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunications company in the United States. The company provides broadband, voice, wireless and managed services to consumers and businesses across the country. It also offers advanced entertainment services under the CenturyLink^TM Prism^TM TV and DIRECTV brands. In addition, the company provides data, voice and managed services to enterprise, government and wholesale customers in local, national and select international markets through its high-quality advanced fiber optic network and multiple data centers. CenturyLink is recognized as a leader in the network services market by key technology industry analyst firms, and is a global leader in cloud infrastructure and hosted IT solutions for enterprises through Savvis, a CenturyLink company. CenturyLink’s customers range from Fortune 500 companies in some of the country’s largest cities to families living in rural America. Headquartered in Monroe, La., CenturyLink is an S&P 500 company and is included among the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest corporations. For more information, visit www.centurylink.com.

According to the Pew Research Center, today one-third of Americans – 100 million people – have chosen not to subscribe to Internet service at home or don’t have access to it. That’s an amazing number of people who are still offline in an Internet society, but the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as well as other federal and state policy makers, has recognized that low-income levels, digital illiteracy and limited access to personal computers continue to be obstacles that contribute to why many Americans have not adopted to using the Internet.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has announced the creation of an innovative program designed to overcome these barriers to broadband adoption and assist Americans with using the Internet for job searching and training. The FCC’s “Connect to Compete” program will include participation by both private companies and non-profit organizations to provide much-needed training for not only the use of the personal computers and the Internet, but also the many services and products broadband services provide.

We at CenturyLink appreciate the FCC for taking a leadership role in helping Americans improve their lives through the discovery and understanding of high-speed Internet services. To support that effort, we have launched Internet Basics, a broadband adoption program that targets several of the key barriers to adoption for lower income families by providing affordable high-speed Internet service, affordable personal computers and access to free computer and Internet training programs. Through the program, eligible low- income customers in all of CenturyLink’s local service markets have access to a $9.95 a month high- speed Internet service for a full year, and then continued discounted service for $14.95 per month for an additional four years. Internet Basics also offers a new, Internet-ready netbook computer for $150, as well as free personal training and tools in more than 100 communities nationwide.

Internet Basics is attracting the interest of our customers and, perhaps more importantly, local service organizations seeking partners to assist with Internet computer-skills training. The true potential of adoption programs like CenturyLink’s and ones envisioned by Chairman Genachowski will be realized at the local market level, where communications providers and their employees work hand-in-hand with community leaders and civic groups to properly identify needs, resources, and opportunities to advance not only broadband availability, but also understand and overcome the barriers to adoption faced by those not online today.

CenturyLink CEO Glen Post (center) accepts the Freedom Award with Matthew W. McGuire, service delivery supervisor, CenturyLink Business Markets Group, and sergeant first class, U.S. Army National Guard (left), and David L. McGinnis, acting assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs (Photo by Johnny Bivera).

Veterans Day is a time when we salute military men and women for their service to our nation, whether it has been during wars and conflicts in the past or today in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere around the world. At CenturyLink, we are committed to providing a supportive atmosphere to employees who serve in the armed forces and to their families. That dedication has been recognized with the Freedom Award, given by the U.S. Department of Defense to public sector employers for their exceptional support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

The Freedom Award is for the support given to Guard and Reserve employees by Qwest Communications, which was acquired by CenturyLink in April 2011. Qwest had previously won the award at the state level for three consecutive years. CenturyLink is among 15 organizations receiving the national award this year from a field of more than 4,000 nominations submitted by service members or their families.

In another recognition of our commitment to employees who serve in the military, Military Times EDGE has named CenturyLink to the list of “45 Great Employers for Vets.” The magazine determined the list based on survey responses from Fortune 1000 companies and top government contractors that rated the employers on their vet-friendliness in three areas: recruiting, corporate culture and reserve policies.

According to Military Times EDGE, “We looked for companies that could prove they make veterans a priority — not just with slogans and statements of support, but with programs, policies and positive track records.” For the survey’s results and more information:  www.militarytimesedge.com/links/2011-employer-surveys.

CenturyLink listens to the veterans at our company by sponsoring the CenturyLink Veterans Employee Support Group. This group, which includes veterans in the CenturyLink workforce along with their families and friends, provides a unique perspective on issues that are important to employees who have served in the military or are currently on active duty. They ensure that respect and appreciation for veterans and their contributions to our country are reflected in our company’s policies and programs, and that veterans are afforded equal employment opportunities.

With these programs, CenturyLink is pleased to support our employees who have answered the call to service to our nation as we honor them on Veterans Day and all through the year.