Lumen Technologies

Lumen Technologies, Inc.
Company type	Public
Industry	Telecommunications
Predecessor	CenturyLink, Inc.
Founded	1930 in Oak Ridge, Louisiana, United States
Founder	F. E. Hogan Sr.
Headquarters	Monroe, United States
Area served	United States (37 states as of 2011)
Key people	Glen Post (CEO until 2018)
Products	Communications, networking, security solutions, cloud computing, voice services, managed offerings, local and long-distance telephony, broadband internet, MPLS, private line services, Ethernet connectivity, hosting solutions, data integration, video services, network management, VoIP, IT services
Number of employees	~7,000 (early 2000s)
Website	www.lumen.com

Lumen Technologies, Inc. (previously known as CenturyLink, Inc.) is a telecommunications enterprise based in Monroe, Louisiana, United States. It delivers a range of services including communications, networking, security solutions, cloud computing, voice services, and managed offerings through its extensive fiber optic and copper infrastructure, data centers, and cloud platforms. After being removed from the S&P 500 index in March 2023, the company is now listed on the S&P 600 index.

The portfolio of Lumen encompasses local and long-distance telephony, broadband internet, Multiprotocol Label Switching, private line services such as special access, Ethernet connectivity, hosting solutions (both cloud-based and managed), data integration, video services, network management, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and various IT services.

Lumen's expansion has been driven by a series of acquisitions and divestitures. During the 20th century, it concentrated on purchasing and selling local telecommunications providers. In the early 2000s, mergers broadened its internet service offerings. More recently, the company has focused on acquiring businesses that serve enterprise cloud clients while divesting its consumer connectivity operations to AT&T. This strategic shift aligns with its emphasis on cloud computing and managed service solutions.

History

The origin of Lumen traces back to the Oak Ridge Telephone Company located in Oak Ridge, Louisiana, initially owned by F. E. Hogan Sr. In 1930, Hogan sold the company—which had 75 subscribers at that time—to William Clarke and Marie Williams for $500. In 1946, Clarke McRae Williams received ownership of the family telephone business as a wedding present. He expanded the enterprise by acquiring the Marion Telephone Company and continued growth through further acquisitions while operating as a family-run venture until incorporation occurred in 1968. The company went public in 1978.

1967–1999

By 1967, Oak Ridge Telephone had expanded to serve three states with approximately 10,000 access lines and was incorporated under the name Central Telephone and Electronics with Clarke M. Williams serving as president and chairman. The firm was renamed Century Telephone Enterprises, Inc. in 1971. The following year, Century purchased La Crosse Telephone Corporation in Wisconsin, marking the beginning of a multi-decade acquisition strategy that greatly increased its market presence. The company debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in 1978.

In 1985, Century divested several subsidiaries to Colonial Telephone for $4.66 million. Despite the stock market downturn in 1987, the company's earnings showed steady growth from a low point in 1983 to nearly $20 million by 1987.

Between 1991 and 1995, Century continued acquiring companies which led to an increase in phone lines and a rise in long-term debt from $205 million to $602 million; annual net income reached $115 million during this period. By 1995, Century was ranked as the 16th largest telecommunications company in the United States with a workforce exceeding 3,000 employees, including union members.

In 1997, Century expanded significantly by acquiring Pacific Telecom for $1.5 billion. This acquisition added approximately 1.9 million cellular subscribers and nearly doubled the company's footprint to cover 21 states with a customer base of around two million. Following this large-scale purchase, Century sold off certain telephone assets to smaller competitors for several hundred million dollars.

2000s

In the year 2000, the company purchased 490,000 telephone lines from Verizon for $1.5 billion. Two years later, in 2002, it divested the majority of its wireless operations to Alltel for $1.59 billion. At that time, the workforce numbered close to 7,000 employees, with roughly 1,500 union members. The firm reported a net profit near $800 million alongside a debt load of $3.6 billion. In 2003, the acquisition of Digital Teleport for $39 million expanded its fiber-optic network capabilities. By 2004, CenturyTel had become the eighth largest provider of local telephone services in the United States, successfully reducing its long-term debt to $2.7 billion, although net income had decreased to approximately $337 million annually. The company entered the satellite television market in 2005 and further broadened its footprint by acquiring Madison River Communications in 2007, which added competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) and incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) operations across multiple states. That same year, a workforce reduction eliminated 600 positions while the company received $336 million in federal and state funding, primarily through the High Cost Support Loop program. Between 2004 and 2007, CenturyTel repurchased shares totaling around $2 billion.

2008 merger with Embarq and name change to CenturyLink

On October 27, 2008, Embarq revealed that it would be acquired by CenturyTel in an all-stock transaction valued at about $6 billion. CEO Glen Post continued leading the combined entity until 2018. Embarq, previously Sprint’s landline division, operated across 18 states including Nevada, Florida, North Carolina, and Ohio. This acquisition elevated CenturyTel to the position of third-largest landline provider in Pennsylvania, trailing only Verizon and Comcast. On June 2, 2009, the newly merged company announced it would operate under the name CenturyLink, with brand strategy developed by Denver-based Monigle Associates. The merger was officially completed on July 1, 2009.

By October 19, 2009, both CenturyTel and Embarq brands were discontinued; all business activities proceeded under the CenturyLink name while retaining the NYSE ticker symbol CTL. The corporate identity CenturyLink, Inc. was formally adopted in May 2010.

2010 merger with Qwest

On April 22, 2010, CenturyLink (then known as CenturyTel, Inc.) declared a $12 billion stock-for-stock acquisition of Qwest. Shareholders of CenturyLink obtained a 50.5% stake in the combined organization, with Qwest shareholders holding the remaining 49.5%. The transaction was finalized on April 1, 2011.

This strategic merger positioned CenturyLink as the third largest telecommunications provider in the United States and established it as Colorado’s leading landline carrier. The enlarged company served approximately 17 million access lines, five million broadband subscribers, and 1.4 million video customers throughout 37 states. The integration also incorporated Qwest’s heritage as a former Regional Bell Operating Company following its acquisition of US West in 2000.

Additional acquisitions from 2011 to 2019

CenturyLink expanded its managed hosting and cloud service capabilities by acquiring Savvis, Inc., a global cloud infrastructure and hosted IT services provider, in July 2011 for $2 billion. In October 2012, Savvis enhanced its managed services portfolio by purchasing the ITO Business Division of Ciber. By December of the same year, CenturyLink introduced Savvisdirect, aimed at small businesses and IT developers. In June 2013, Savvis further broadened its offerings with the acquisition of AppFog, a Portland-based Platform as a Service provider. Later in 2013, CenturyLink added Seattle-based Tier 3—an infrastructure as a service (IaaS) platform and cloud management firm—to its portfolio; unlike Savvis, Tier 3 was incorporated into CenturyLink Cloud. Tier 3 operated nine data centers compared to Savvis’s 55, with plans to expand facilities in 2014. Following the acquisition, Jared Wray, Tier 3’s CTO, assumed the role of CenturyLink Cloud CTO. The SavvisDirect brand was phased out in 2014 amid an internal consolidation of cloud services.

On December 8, 2014, CenturyLink acquired Edmonton-based DataGardens, Inc., a provider of Disaster Recovery as-a-Service (DRaaS). Shortly thereafter, on December 11, the company purchased Cognilytics, a predictive analytics firm employing approximately 200 people.

CenturyLink expanded its cybersecurity portfolio on March 30, 2016, by acquiring netAura, which specialized in security information and event management (SIEM) with a focus on government clients.

On October 31, 2016, CenturyLink announced plans to acquire Level 3 Communications in a $25 billion transaction that closed on November 1, 2017. This acquisition prompted extensive leadership changes as many former Level 3 executives replaced CenturyLink’s senior management outside of HR and legal departments.

The company acquired SEAL Consulting, an SAP services provider headquartered in Edison, New Jersey, on January 9, 2017. By the end of that year, CenturyLink reported net income of $1.3 billion.

As of late 2018, CenturyLink held $35 billion in long-term debt and recorded a $2.7 billion goodwill impairment charge that contributed to a $1.7 billion net loss for the fiscal year. That year also saw CenturyLink among the group of 91 Fortune 500 companies paying an effective federal tax rate at or below zero percent due to provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

On September 10, 2019, CenturyLink enhanced its content delivery network by acquiring Streamroot, a company specializing in technology that optimizes video and static content distribution in environments with limited bandwidth.

Rebranding as Lumen in 2020

CenturyLink officially rebranded as Lumen Technologies, Inc. on September 14, 2020. The stock ticker symbol transitioned from CTL to LUMN effective September 18, 2020. The CenturyLink name continued to be used for traditional copper-based services while fiber-optic offerings were marketed under the Quantum Fiber brand.

Divestitures under Lumen

On August 3, 2021, Lumen announced an agreement to sell its incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) operations across 20 states to Apollo Global Management for $7.5 billion. This transaction enabled Lumen to retain network infrastructure within urban and suburban markets targeted for fiber upgrades while divesting less profitable rural regions. The company maintained ILEC operations in another 16 states primarily comprising former Qwest territories. The sale was finalized in October 2022 with the divested assets rebranded as Brightspeed.

Throughout 2021, Lumen secured several government contracts including managed network services for the United States Postal Service and connectivity agreements with both the US Army Recruiting Command and Navy Judge Advocate General Corps.

In response to profitability pressures during 2022, Lumen reorganized into three segments—"Growth," "Nurture," and "Harvest"—to emphasize high-margin fiber services while preparing lower-margin assets for divestiture. This strategic shift resulted in the $2.7 billion sale of its Latin American operations under the new Cirion brand.

In early 2023, Lumen agreed to sell its EMEA enterprise subsidiary to Colt Technology Services for $1.8 billion. This deal allowed multinational customers to continue receiving service through Colt’s infrastructure.

In May 2025, Lumen announced a cash transaction valued at $5.75 billion to divest its consumer fiber business to AT&T.

Products and services

Lumen caters to the needs of enterprise, small business, and residential customers through a diverse range of offerings.

Lumen enterprise business

The Lumen Enterprise Business segment provides comprehensive solutions including network, cloud, security, voice, and managed services tailored for large organizations. Network capabilities encompass SD-WAN, MPLS/IPVPN, hybrid WAN, Ethernet, Internet connectivity, wavelength services, dark fiber, and private line options. Its cloud services portfolio includes big data as a service, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, multi-cloud management platforms, private and public cloud environments, bare metal servers, SaaS applications, and cloud connection services.

Lumen Security handles over one billion security events daily, delivering protection for cloud infrastructure, mitigation against DDoS attacks, web application and email security solutions, analytics, threat management, compliance assistance, and operates dedicated threat research laboratories. Voice offerings range from conventional landline services to unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) platforms; notably, the company received Frost & Sullivan’s 2018 award for rapid expansion in VoIP access and SIP trunking. Managed services include expert IT consulting and strategic alliance development.

In October 2023, Lumen declared its intention to divest certain content delivery network (CDN) customer contracts to Akamai as part of a strategic withdrawal from the CDN market.

CenturyLink small business

CenturyLink Small Business provides Internet access, telephone service, television packages, and cloud solutions designed specifically for commercial clients. Additionally, it offers DirecTV plans tailored separately from residential offerings to meet business requirements.

CenturyLink residential

CenturyLink Residential delivers DSL and Gigabit Fiber Internet services along with voice and television options through a partnership with DirecTV. Bundling choices also include Verizon Wireless products.

Availability by state

Residential and small business services from CenturyLink are accessible across numerous states:

Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Minnesota
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wyoming

Fiber

Quantum Fiber represents CenturyLink’s fiber-to-the-premises broadband offering that provides symmetrical gigabit speeds up to 1,000 Mbps for both downloads and uploads via Calix Optical Network Terminals. Initially launched in Omaha, Nebraska and Las Vegas, Nevada, this service has since expanded into multiple markets across 17 states targeting both residential customers and businesses. This fiber rollout reflects a strategic commitment to enhancing high-speed infrastructure aimed at increasing market penetration and competitive positioning.

In addition to this, CenturyLink operates dark fiber networks within the United States primarily for government contracts while continuing legacy operations under the Lumen Technologies brand.

Gigabit Fiber markets

State	Cities Served
Arizona	Flagstaff; Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale; Prescott; Safford; Sierra Vista-Douglas; Tucson; Yuma
Colorado	Boulder; Colorado Springs; Denver-Aurora-Lakewood; Fort Collins; Grand Junction; Greeley; Pueblo
Florida	Arcadia; Cape Coral-Fort Myers; Clewiston; Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin; Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach; Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island; Ocala; Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford; Punta Gorda; Sebring; Tallahassee; The Villages; Longwood
Iowa	Ames; Cedar Rapids; Davenport-Moline-Rock Island; Des Moines-West Des Moines; Dubuque; Omaha-Council Bluffs; Sioux City; Waterloo-Cedar Falls
Idaho	Blackfoot; Boise City; Burley; Hailey; Idaho Falls; Lewiston; Pocatello; Rexburg; Twin Falls
Minnesota	Alexandria; Bemidji; Duluth; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington; Rochester; St. Cloud
Montana	Billings; Bozeman; Great Falls; Helena; Kalispell; Missoula
Nebraska	Grand Island; Omaha-Council Bluffs
Nevada	Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise
New Mexico	Albuquerque; Farmington; Las Cruces; Santa Fe
North Dakota	Bismarck; Dickinson; Fargo
Oregon	Albany; Bend-Redmond; Corvallis; Eugene; Grants Pass; Hermiston-Pendleton; Medford; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro; Prineville; Salem
South Dakota	Pierre; Rapid City; Sioux Falls; Yankton
Utah	Cedar City; Heber; Logan; Ogden-Clearfield ; Provo-Orem ; Salt Lake City ; St. George ; Summit Park
Washington	Aberdeen ; Bellingham ; Bremerton-Silverdale ; Kennewick-Richland ; Longview ; Moses Lake ; Olympia-Tumwater ; Port Angeles ; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro ; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ; Spokane-Spokane Valley ; Walla Walla ; Yakima
Wyoming	Casper ; Cheyenne ; Gillette ; Jackson ; Laramie ; Rock Springs

Data centers

On May 2, 2017, CenturyLink finalized the divestiture of its data center and colocation operations to a group led by BC Partners, which also included Medina Capital Advisors and Longview Asset Management, for roughly $1.86 billion. CenturyLink maintained an approximate 10% ownership interest in the newly formed global secure infrastructure entity, Cyxtera Technologies, established by the consortium.

Organizational structure

By 2018, Lumen had become the second largest U.S. communications provider catering to global enterprise clients, trailing only Comcast. With a presence spanning more than 60 countries, CenturyLink earned recognition as one of America's top customer service organizations.

Executive Leadership
Name	Position
Kate Johnson	President and Chief Executive Officer
Jay Barrows	President, Enterprise Sales and Public Sector
Maxine L. Moreau	President, Mass Markets
Andrew Dugan	Chief Technology Officer
Chris Stansbury	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Satish Lakshmanan	Executive Vice President and Chief Product and Strategy Officer
Ashley Haynes-Gaspar	Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer
Ana White	Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer
Kye Prigg	Executive Vice President of Enterprise Operations
Stacey W. Goff	Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Current

Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington (previously known as Seahawks Stadium, Qwest Field, and CenturyLink Field)

Former

CenturyLink Arena Boise – Boise, Idaho (currently Idaho Central Arena)
CenturyLink Center – Bossier City, Louisiana (now Brookshire Grocery Arena)
CenturyLink Center Omaha – Omaha, Nebraska (renamed CHI Health Center Omaha)

Sponsorships

911 outages

The Federal Communications Commission imposed a $16 million penalty on CenturyLink due to a 2014 software error that caused nearly 11 million individuals in seven states to lose access to emergency services for six hours.

On December 27, 2018, a widespread outage interrupted 911 services for up to twelve hours in certain regions, also impacting ATM and point-of-sale transactions. This incident marked the third significant outage that year, during which 886 emergency calls failed. Although the FCC conducted an investigation, no fines were levied.

In 2020, multiple state outages triggered further FCC scrutiny. Lumen subsequently agreed to pay $3.8 million in civil penalties for not ensuring reliable delivery of 911 calls.

A 2022 FCC inquiry revealed that Lumen willfully breached regulations by neglecting to promptly alert public safety answering points during outages and by implementing insufficient systems, thereby endangering tens of thousands of people.

Additional disruptions in Nebraska and South Dakota during 2023 and 2024 caused prolonged interruptions in 911 services and led to ongoing FCC investigations. Local authorities reported that text messaging capabilities remained functional during some of these outages.

Additional Concerns

In December 2018, CenturyLink encountered backlash for mandating Utah residential users to review and accept a notification promoting its security and parental control software prior to restoring internet access. The company referenced a state statute requiring internet providers to notify customers about measures to block harmful content from minors. Nevertheless, the legislator who sponsored the bill clarified that the law obligates only clear notification, not interruption of service.

On January 8, 2020, CenturyLink reached an $8.9 million settlement with Minnesota consumers concerning allegations of excessive billing. The agreement also imposed changes in billing procedures and required audits overseen by the Minnesota Attorney General. Although CenturyLink contested the accusations, they opted to settle to avoid litigation expenses.

A significant service outage occurred on August 30, 2020, caused by a misconfiguration within a data center, which disrupted operations for clients such as Cloudflare, Amazon, Twitter, and Xbox Live. Recovery took more than seven hours, resulting in widespread impact on global internet traffic.

On March 9, 2024, Lumen experienced a connectivity failure that impaired AmTote’s totalisator systems used for parimutuel wagering at racetracks across the United States. This disruption compelled Tampa Bay Downs to conduct the Tampa Bay Derby without allowing betting.

In 2024, reports indicated that Lumen Technologies was subjected to a cyberattack associated with the China-linked Salt Typhoon advanced persistent threat group, compromising U.S. wiretap infrastructure.

External links