Source: CenturyLink Press Release

CenturyLink (NYSE:CTL) announced that it will seek to extend the average maturity and reduce the average weighted interest rate of its consolidated debt through the combination of a debt tender offer by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Embarq Corporation, and a concurrent public offering of CenturyLink's senior debt securities.

Embarq has commenced a debt tender offer for its two series of notes for an aggregate purchase price of up to $1.25 billion.

CenturyLink expects to record a charge to net income in the first quarter of 2012 relating to the premiums that it expects to pay to tendering holders of Notes and estimated costs associated with the Offer, which charge may be material.

Concurrently with the Offer, CenturyLink announced that it expects, subject to market conditions, to sell fixed-rate senior notes with 10 and 30 year maturities. The actual maturities of the senior notes, if any, sold by CenturyLink in connection with the Debt Offering will depend on market conditions.  CenturyLink has not yet entered into a definitive agreement with respect to the Debt Offering, and no assurance can be given that such offering will be completed. CenturyLink expects to use the net proceeds from the Debt Offering, together with available cash and additional borrowings under its revolving credit facility, to provide the total amount of funds required to complete the Offer, including the payment of accrued interest on the Notes purchased thereunder, and to pay all related fees and expenses. The Debt Offering is not conditioned upon the consummation of the Offer.