STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN
Re: Applications Filed by Qwest Communications International Inc. and CenturyTel, Inc. 
d/b/a CenturyLink for Consent To Transfer Control, WC Docket No. 10-110
This Commission has a duty to ensure that the public interest is served as a result of any 
proposed transfers of control.  Today, we find that the merger of CenturyLink and Qwest is in the 
public interest.  Through their commitments, the companies have addressed some of the possible 
harms that could occur as a result of the transaction, and have pledged to improve broadband 
deployment in the Qwest territory and broadband adoption by low-income consumers in both 
Qwest’s and CenturyLink’s territories.  These commitments also include regular reporting so that 
we can assess the merged company’s progress in meeting its deployment and adoption obligations.  
There were several issues, however, that I believe should have been more specifically 
addressed in our review.  The companies asserted that post-merger CenturyLink will continue to 
focus on rural customers, yet the company did not provide sufficient information in the 
proceeding so that we could ensure that result.  While the companies pledge to inform us in their 
regular reporting the broadband deployment that occurs in rural versus non-rural areas, I would 
have preferred a specific, verifiable commitment to deploy broadband in unserved, rural areas.  I 
also remain concerned that the merger will change the post-merger company’s incentives with 
respect to its service offerings.  In prior mergers, applicants have addressed such incentives 
through commitments that ensure consumers continue to enjoy nondiscriminatory access to 
Internet services and applications.  Unfortunately, we do not have that backstop here.
The companies’ commitment to address the affordability of broadband for consumers 
throughout its post-merger service territory is a significant step.  I commend the companies for 
developing a plan based on the CenturyLink business model to introduce and manage its adoption 
program at the local level in order to meet the communities’ low-income needs.  As a nation, we 
must address the broadband affordability issue in order to ensure that every American has the 
opportunity to connect at home.  We know that addressing the barriers to adoption may vary 
based on whether citizens live in urban or rural areas.  I appreciate the company’s commitment to 
share its experiences and findings with us so that we can learn more about what works and 
doesn’t work in addressing the adoption issues in its local areas, as well as its commitment to 
inform us of its program’s effectiveness and the improvements it makes to ensure its success.  As 
a result of its dedication to improve services to low-income Americans, the company’s experience 
will inform our decision-making with respect to reforming the Lifeline program and our ongoing 
consideration of extending that program to include broadband pilot projects for Lifeline-eligible 
consumers.