ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) plans to invest at least $20 million to improve and expand broadband communications services in New Mexico now that it has merged with Qwest Communications.
“This investment by CenturyLink to expand broadband services in New Mexico is an effective way for the company to introduce itself to the state,” New Mexico Public Regulation Commission chairman Pat Lyons said. “CenturyLink is New Mexico’s leading communications provider now that its merger with Qwest is complete. We look forward to the additional resources and opportunities that this increased Internet connectivity made possible by CenturyLink will provide the people of New Mexico.”
With the Qwest merger completed, CenturyLink is focusing on improving and expanding broadband availability and increasing connectivity speeds to consumers.
“As a result of CenturyLink’s merger with Qwest, the combined company now has the financial strength, national breadth, and local depth to provide a compelling array of broadband products and high bandwidth services in New Mexico,” said Valerie Dodd, vice president and general manager for CenturyLink in New Mexico.
Dodd and her Albuquerque-based local operations team currently are studying the communities CenturyLink serves in the state to determine where to deploy the expanded broadband infrastructure that the new initiative will fund. The company wants to ensure the expansion effort delivers the best possible high-speed Internet experience to New Mexico customers.
CenturyLink will implement the expanded broadband program over the next several years. The investment is in addition to the millions the company spends in the state annually to improve and expand its existing communications network.
