CenturyLink 2010 Annual Report Download - page 10

Our Network
CenturyLink
Qwest
CenturyLink Fiber
Qwest Fiber
ARKANSAS
Disaster-Proofing Communications
The critical operations of an international
agriculture company were impacted by
power outages resulting from tornadoes
in two consecutive years. To meet this
company’s needs, CenturyLink developed a
solution to provide redundant connectivity
between the company’s headquarters and
its 14 satellite locations across Arkansas,
thereby facilitating communication during
any future power interruptions.
NORTH CAROLINA
Providing Online Access at MerleFest
For the third year, CenturyLink was the pre-
mier communications provider and sponsor
of MerleFest, a four-day music festival in
Wilkesboro, North Carolina that attracts
nearly 80,000 people from around the world.
Held in April at Wilkes Community College,
the festival contributes more than $18 million
to the local economy and helps raise funds
for the college, other schools and nonprofit
organizations. CenturyLink provided high-
speed Internet access for patrons, volunteers,
staff and vendors, and CenturyLink team
members volunteered 400 hours of their time.
WASHINGTON
Deploying Fiber
CenturyLink has enjoyed a long successful rela-
tionship with the Washington State Department
of Information Services (DIS). In 2010, DIS
selected CenturyLink to construct and maintain
three 10-Gig rings within the greater Olympia,
Washington market, despite the fact that this
is an out-of-footprint area for CenturyLink. The
project is under construction with completion
planned in 2011.
EXCELLENT EXECUTION
CenturyLink employees consistently
execute with excellence – whether the
objective is to integrate an acquisition,
develop technologies to increase broadband
speeds, launch Prism™TV in a new market
or align costs with revenues.
190,000 ROUTE-MILE
FIBER NETWORK
Following the Qwest acquisition, we plan
to leverage our 190,000 route-mile fiber
network to expand our broadband offerings
to residential and business customers. We
also expect to gain operating efficiencies by
carrying more of our traffic on-network.
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INDIANA, MICHIGAN AND OHIO
Supporting Economic Development
In Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, CenturyLink
teams worked closely with economic devel-
opment groups in their communities to
support projects that can drive growth and
job creation. For example, in Richland County,
Ohio where an automotive facility recently
closed, the CenturyLink team is working with
local groups seeking to attract a solar energy
operation with the potential to create up to
1,000 jobs.
MINNESOTA
Restoring Vital Service
Zumbro Falls in southeastern Minnesota was
hard hit by flooding from the Zumbro River in
September 2010. The CenturyLink central office
was submerged by floodwaters that peaked at
nearly six feet. Working around the clock, the
CenturyLink team along with multiple vendors
and emergency response teams were able to
quickly assemble a temporary central office
within a 6' x 10' trailer and restore all services –
including 911, voice, high-speed Internet and
data – to the stricken community.
ALABAMA AND FLORIDA
Identifying Opportunities
in Multi-Dwelling Units
Condominiums, homeowners associations,
assisted living centers and other multi-
dwelling units (MDU) often purchase voice,
video and data services in bulk, via five-
to seven-year contracts. In accord with
CenturyLink’s local market focus, teams
identified MDU opportunities in Fort Myers,
Orlando and Tallahassee, Florida and in
Gulf Shores, Alabama, and succeeded in
securing contracts that cover more than
10,000 new customers.