Mar 5-CenturyLink offers Internet Basics for low-income consumers.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: March 5, 2011 Simone Alley, 434.971.1064 simone.alley@centurylink.com CenturyLink offers “Internet Basics� for low-income consumers CenturyLink, a leading Internet service provider, also is offering discounted computers and free technology training through the Internet Basics program MARTINSVILLE, Va – CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL), one of the nation’s leading Internet service providers, is offering the “CenturyLink Internet Basics� package in the Charlottesville market to improve and promote broadband adoption and use by low-income consumers. To help get more low-income households online, CenturyLink is offering discounted High-Speed Internet service starting at $9.95 per month, plus applicable taxes and fees, to eligible consumers in Charlottesville and the surrounding areas. The service provides access up to 1.5 Mbps downstream capability. Higher bandwidth services, where available, are offered at a comparable discount. CenturyLink is also offering program participants an Internet-ready netbook computer for $150, plus taxes, shipping and handling. The new equipment includes access to CenturyLink@Ease™, a comprehensive suite of backup, security and support services. “CenturyLink is pleased to offer affordable High-Speed Internet service and computers to those who need help getting online,� said Rondi Furgason, CenturyLink’s vice president and general manager for Virginia. In addition, CenturyLink is arranging basic computer education and technology training at no cost to Internet Basics customers. The classes are being offered through community groups and senior centers, as well as schools, libraries, and other state and local institutions, in more than 100 markets throughout the country. Participation in CenturyLink Internet Basics is determined by the criteria for the Lifeline Affordable Telephone Service, a federal program currently offered by CenturyLink that provides discounts on basic monthly telephone service to eligible low-income consumers. According to a study on broadband adoption by the Federal Communications Commission, 60 percent of low-income households, which are defined as having annual incomes of less than $20,000, do not subscribe to High-Speed Internet service, compared to 35 percent of the entire U.S. population. Among those Americans who do not have broadband at home, 36 percent said it was because of the cost of the service and equipment, and 22 percent cited a “lack of digital literacy.� For more information about CenturyLink Internet Basics, please visit http://www.centurylink.com/internetbasics or call 1-800-257-3212. 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 CenturyLinkTM PrismTM 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.