exh99.htm

Operating revenues, excluding nonrecurring items, declined 2.3% to $642.6 million in fourth quarter 2008 from $657.8 million in fourth quarter 2007. Revenue increases during the quarter of approximately $17 million resulted primarily from growth associated with the 15.5% increase in high-speed Internet customers. These increases were more than offset by revenue declines of approximately $32 million primarily attributable to previously anticipated access line losses and lower access revenues.

Operating expenses, excluding nonrecurring items, decreased 3.0% to $459.5 million from $473.9 million in fourth quarter 2007 as lower cash expenses and lower depreciation expense due to fully depreciated assets more than offset increased costs associated with the growth in high-speed Internet customers.

“We experienced solid demand for broadband services during 2008 as high-speed Internet customers increased by more than 15% year over year,” Post said. “We are also pleased with our business customers’ rapid adoption of high bandwidth Ethernet services.”

Operating cash flow, excluding nonrecurring items, for fourth quarter 2008 declined 3.0% to $311.9 million from $321.5 million in fourth quarter 2007. CenturyTel achieved an operating cash flow margin, excluding nonrecurring items, of 48.5% during the quarter versus 48.9% in fourth quarter 2007.

Other income, excluding nonrecurring items, of $5.5 million for fourth quarter 2008 was $2.9 million lower than during fourth quarter 2007 primarily due to favorable 2006 audit adjustments recorded in fourth quarter 2007 related to a cellular partnership in which we own a 49% interest.

Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, was $87.0 million, a 3.1% decrease from $89.8 million in fourth quarter 2007. Diluted earnings per share, excluding nonrecurring items, increased 7.3% to $.88 in fourth quarter 2008 compared to $.82 in fourth quarter 2007 due to the items discussed above and the reduction in diluted shares outstanding as a result of share repurchases.

For the year 2008, operating revenues, excluding nonrecurring items, were $2.598 billion compared to $2.606 billion in 2007, a 0.3% decrease. Operating cash flow, excluding nonrecurring items, was $1.258 billion for 2008 compared to $1.292 billion for 2007. Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, was $347.1 million compared to $354.3 million in 2007, while diluted earnings per share was $3.37 compared to $3.16 in 2007.

Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), net income for fourth quarter 2008 was $100.1 million compared to $115.0 million for fourth quarter 2007. Diluted earnings per share was $1.01 in fourth quarter 2008 compared to $1.04 in fourth quarter 2007. Fourth quarter 2008 results reflect a $12.8 million tax benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48 and a $6.3 million after-tax benefit primarily related to the recognition of previously accrued transaction related and other contingencies. Such favorable items were partially offset by an after-tax charge of $1.1 million due to severance and related costs due to a workforce reduction and an after-tax charge of $5.0 million related to costs associated with the pending acquisition of EMBARQ. Fourth quarter 2007 results reflect an after-tax benefit of $1.8 million related to hurricane-related insurance reimbursements, an after-tax benefit of $2.4 million related to the liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank stock, and a $32.7 million tax benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48, which were partially offset by $12.2 million of after-tax impairment charges associated with certain operating and non-operating investments described further in the attached financial schedules.

Under GAAP, for the year 2008, the Company reported net income of $365.7 million, or $3.56 per diluted share, compared to net income of $418.4 million, or $3.72 per diluted share, for the year 2007. See the accompanying financial schedules for detail of the Company’s nonrecurring items for the years 2008 and 2007.

Outlook for 2009. The following 2009 outlook discussion is for CenturyTel only and does not include any benefit or impact of the pending acquisition of EMBARQ. Acquisition-related costs incurred by CenturyTel in 2009 are considered nonrecurring items and are also not included in these 2009 outlooks.

Based on current conditions, for full year 2009, CenturyTel anticipates operating revenues to be modestly lower than 2008 operating revenues. The Company expects revenue increases associated with growth in high-speed Internet and data revenues to be more than offset by revenue declines associated with lower access revenues, reduced universal service funding and access line losses.

For full year 2009, CenturyTel anticipates diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $3.20 to $3.30. The following items are expected to have a positive impact on 2009 diluted earnings per share:

·	anticipated further penetration of broadband service offerings - $.09 to $.11;

·	anticipated cost containment - $.20 to $.28; and

·	anticipated lower depreciation and interest expense - $.15 to $.17.

The following items are expected to negatively impact 2009 diluted earnings per share:

·	reduced interstate universal service funding - ($.07) to ($.08);

·	non-cash pension expense – ($.12) to ($.13);

·	anticipated access line losses of 5.7% to 6.7% and continued pressure on access revenues - ($.34) to ($.38); and

·	application of a new accounting pronouncement impacting EPS calculation – ($.04) to ($.05).

For first quarter 2009, CenturyTel expects total revenues of $628 to $638 million and diluted earnings per share of $.77 to $.81.

Finally, the Company currently expects its capital expenditures in 2009, excluding any EMBARQ-related acquisition, integration or post-closing capital expenditures, to be between $280 and $300 million, in line with 2008 capital expenditures of $287 million.

These 2009 outlook figures exclude the effects of nonrecurring items, any share repurchases made after December 31, 2008, the pending EMBARQ acquisition and any changes in operating or capital plans related thereto, and any future mergers, acquisitions, divestitures or other similar business transactions.

We expect to update our outlook after completing the EMBARQ acquisition. We currently expect to close the transaction during second quarter 2009, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other conditions.

Reconciliation to GAAP. This release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including but not limited to operating cash flow, free cash flow and adjustments to GAAP measures to exclude the effect of nonrecurring items. In addition to providing key metrics for management to evaluate the Company’s performance, we believe these measurements assist investors in their understanding of period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial schedules. Reconciliation of additional non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed during the earnings call described below will be available in the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s Web site at www.centurytel.com. Investors are urged to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not in substitution for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Investor Call. As previously announced, CenturyTel’s management will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. Central Time today. Interested parties can access the call by dialing 866.259.1024. The call will be accessible for replay through February 25, 2009 by calling 888.266.2081 and entering the conference ID number 1324380. Investors can also listen to CenturyTel’s earnings conference call and replay through March 11, 2009 by accessing the Investor Relations portion of the Company’s Web site at www.centurytel.com.

Certain non-historical statements made in this release and future oral or written statements or press releases by us or our management, in each case as they relate to CenturyTel or EMBARQ, the operations of either such company or our pending merger with EMBARQ, are intended to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations only, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results or performance by CenturyTel or EMBARQ, and issues relating to our pending merger with EMBARQ, may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could impact actual results of CenturyTel or EMBARQ, the combined company or the pending merger include but are not limited to: the timing, success and overall effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers; the risks inherent in rapid technological change; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry (including the Federal Communication Commission’s proposed rules regarding inter-carrier compensation and the Universal Service Fund described in our recent SEC reports); our ability to effectively adjust to changes in the communications industry; our ability to successfully complete our pending merger with EMBARQ, including timely receiving all regulatory approvals and obtaining related financing; the possibility that the anticipated benefits from the merger cannot be fully realized in a timely manner or at all, or that integrating EMBARQ’s operations into ours will be more difficult, disruptive or costly than anticipated; our ability to effectively manage our expansion opportunities, including successfully integrating newly-acquired or newly-developed businesses into our operations and retaining and hiring key personnel; possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, our products and services; our ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; our continued access to credit markets on favorable terms; our ability to collect our receivables from financially troubled communications companies; our ability to pay a $2.80 per common share dividend annually, which may be affected by changes in our cash requirements, capital spending plans, cash flows or financial position; our ability to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; the effects of adverse weather; other risks referenced from time to time in this prospectus or other of our filings with the SEC; and the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in tax rates, in accounting policies or practices, in operating, medical or administrative costs, in general market, labor or economic conditions, or in legislation, regulation or public policy. These and other uncertainties related to the business and our plans are described in greater detail in Item 1A to our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as updated and supplemented by our subsequent SEC reports. You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to identify all such factors nor can we predict the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any one or more factors may cause actual results to differ from those reflected in any forward-looking statements. You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to update any of our forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CenturyTel (NYSE:CTL) is a leading provider of communications, high-speed Internet and entertainment services in small-to-mid-size cities through our broadband and fiber transport networks. Included in the S&P 500 Index, CenturyTel delivers advanced communications with a personal touch to customers in 25 states. Visit us at www.centurytel.com.

CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED)

	Three months ended December 31, 2008											Three months ended December 31, 2007
									As adjusted											As adjusted						Increase
				Less					excluding						Less					excluding						(decrease)
				non-					non-						non-					non-			Increase			excluding
	As			recurring					recurring			As			recurring					recurring			(decrease)			nonrecurring
In thousands, except per share amounts	reported			items					items			reported			items					items			as reported			items

OPERATING REVENUES
Voice	$	215,407								215,407			225,525								225,525			(4.5	%)		(4.5	%)
Network access		198,396			307		(1	)		198,089			215,415			(1,216	)	(5	)		216,631			(7.9	%)		(8.6	%)
Data		133,731								133,731			122,055			(68	)	(5	)		122,123			9.6	%		9.5	%
Fiber transport and CLEC		41,245								41,245			38,466								38,466			7.2	%		7.2	%
Other		54,175								54,175			55,101								55,101			(1.7	%)		(1.7	%)
		642,954			307					642,647			656,562			(1,284	)				657,846			(2.1	%)		(2.3	%)

OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products		235,792			1,483		(1	)		234,309			251,026			13,740		(6	)		237,286			(6.1	%)		(1.3	%)
Selling, general and administrative		101,924			5,530		(2	)		96,394			99,008			(80	)	(6	)		99,088			2.9	%		(2.7	%)
Depreciation and amortization		128,796								128,796			137,554								137,554			(6.4	%)		(6.4	%)
		466,512			7,013					459,499			487,588			13,660					473,928			(4.3	%)		(3.0	%)

OPERATING INCOME		176,442			(6,706	)				183,148			168,974			(14,944	)				183,918			4.4	%		(0.4	%)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense		(53,446	)							(53,446	)		(53,102	)							(53,102	)		0.6	%		0.6	%
Other income (expense)		15,517			10,000		(3	)		5,517			10,639			2,206		(7	)		8,433			45.9	%		(34.6	%)
Income tax expense		(38,441	)		9,734		(4	)		(48,175	)		(11,478	)		37,949		(8	)		(49,427	)		234.9	%		(2.5	%)
NET INCOME	$	100,072			13,028					87,044			115,033			25,211					89,822			(13.0	%)		(3.1	%)

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.01			0.13					0.88			1.05			0.23					0.82			(3.8	%)		7.3	%
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	1.01			0.13					0.88			1.04			0.23					0.82			(2.9	%)		7.3	%

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		98,883								98,883			109,008								109,008			(9.3	%)		(9.3	%)
Diluted		99,228								99,228			110,119								110,119			(9.9	%)		(9.9	%)

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE	$	0.7000								0.7000			0.0650								0.0650			976.9	%		976.9	%


NONRECURRING ITEMS
(1) - Severance and related costs due to workforce reduction, including revenue impact.
(2) - Includes costs associated with the pending acquisition of EMBARQ ($5.0 million) and severance and related costs due to workforce reductions ($.5 million).
(3) - Recognition of previously accrued transaction related and other contingencies.
(4) - Includes $12.8 million benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48, plus the aggregate tax effect of Items (1) through (3).
(5) - Revenue reduction associated with gain on liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank.
(6) - Includes write-down due to impairment of CLEC assets ($16.6 million), net of insurance reimbursements associated with previously recorded hurricane related expenses ($3.0 million).
(7) - Includes gain on liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank ($5.2 million), net of $3.0 million impairment of a nonoperating investment.
(8) - Includes $32.7 million benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48, plus the aggregate tax effect of Items (5) through (7).

CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
(UNAUDITED)

	Twelve months ended December 31, 2008											Twelve months ended December 31, 2007
									As adjusted											As adjusted						Increase
				Less					excluding						Less					excluding						(decrease)
				non-					non-						non-					non-			Increase			excluding
	As			recurring					recurring			As			recurring					recurring			(decrease)			nonrecurring
In thousands, except per share amounts	reported			items					items			reported			items					items			as reported			items

OPERATING REVENUES
Voice	$	874,041								874,041			889,960								889,960			(1.8	%)		(1.8	%)
Network access		820,383			1,319		(1	)		819,064			941,506			48,298		(6	)		893,208			(12.9	%)		(8.3	%)
Data		524,194			21		(1	)		524,173			460,755			(68	)	(6	)		460,823			13.8	%		13.7	%
Fiber transport and CLEC		162,050								162,050			159,317			13		(6	)		159,304			1.7	%		1.7	%
Other		219,079								219,079			204,703			1,869		(7	)		202,834			7.0	%		8.0	%
		2,599,747			1,340					2,598,407			2,656,241			50,112					2,606,129			(2.1	%)		(0.3	%)

OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of services and products		955,473			1,483		(2	)		953,990			937,375			11,655		(8	)		925,720			1.9	%		3.1	%
Selling, general and administrative		399,136			13,185		(3	)		385,951			389,533			694		(8	)		388,839			2.5	%		(0.7	%)
Depreciation and amortization		523,786								523,786			536,255								536,255			(2.3	%)		(2.3	%)
		1,878,395			14,668					1,863,727			1,863,163			12,349					1,850,814			0.8	%		0.7	%

OPERATING INCOME		721,352			(13,328	)				734,680			793,078			37,763					755,315			(9.0	%)		(2.7	%)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest expense		(202,217	)							(202,217	)		(212,906	)							(212,906	)		(5.0	%)		(5.0	%)
Other income (expense)		40,954			22,713		(4	)		18,241			38,770			12,643		(9	)		26,127			5.6	%		(30.2	%)
Income tax expense		(194,357	)		9,210		(5	)		(203,567	)		(200,572	)		13,701		(10	)		(214,273	)		(3.1	%)		(5.0	%)
NET INCOME	$	365,732			18,595					347,137			418,370			64,107					354,263			(12.6	%)		(2.0	%)

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	3.57			0.18					3.39			3.82			0.59					3.24			(6.5	%)		4.6	%
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE	$	3.56			0.18					3.37			3.72			0.57					3.16			(4.3	%)		6.6	%

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		102,268								102,268			109,360								109,360			(6.5	%)		(6.5	%)
Diluted		102,871								102,871			113,094								113,094			(9.0	%)		(9.0	%)

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE	$	2.1675								2.1675			0.26								0.26			733.7	%		733.7	%


NONRECURRING ITEMS
(1) - Revenue impact of curtailment loss related to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ($1.0 million) and revenue impact of severance and related costs due to workforce reductions ($.3 million).
(2) - Severance and related costs due to workforce reductions.
(3) - Includes curtailment loss related to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ($7.7 million), costs associated with pending acquisition of EMBARQ ($5.0 million) and
severance and related costs due to workforce reductions ($.5 million).
(4) - Includes recognition of previously accrued transaction related and other contingencies ($10 million); gain on the sales of non-core assets ($7.3 million); gain upon liquidation
of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan trust assets ($4.5 million) and interest income recorded upon the resolution of certain income tax audit issues ($.9 million).
(5) - Includes $12.8 million benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48 and $1.8 million income tax benefit recorded upon the resolution
of certain income tax audit issues; net of $5.3 million net income tax expense related to Items (1) through (4).
(6) - Includes (i) revenue recorded upon settlement of a dispute with a carrier ($49.0 million) and (ii) revenue impact of severance and related costs due to workforce reductions ($.5 million), net of (iii) revenue reduction associated with gain on liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank ($1.3 million).
(7) - Reimbursement of amounts upon a change in our satellite television arrangement.
(8) - Includes (i) write-down due to impairment of CLEC assets ($16.6 million) and (ii) severance and related costs due to workforce reductions ($2.7 million), net of (iii) reimbursement of amounts
upon a change in our satellite television arrangement ($4.1 million) and (iv) insurance reimbursements associated with previously recorded hurricane related expenses ($3.0 million).
(9) - Includes (i) gain on sale of non-core asset ($10.4 million) and (ii) gain on liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank ($5.2 million), net of (iii) $3.0 million impairment of a nonoperating investment.
(10) - Includes (i) $32.7 million benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48, net of the aggregate tax effects of items (6) through (9).

CenturyTel, Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND DECEMBER 31, 2007
(UNAUDITED)

	December 31,			December 31,
	2008			2007
	(in thousands)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	243,327			34,402
Other current assets		312,080			257,997
Total current assets		555,407			292,399

NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment		8,868,451			8,666,106
Accumulated depreciation		(5,972,559	)		(5,557,730	)
Net property, plant and equipment		2,895,892			3,108,376

GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill		4,015,674			4,010,916
Other		787,222			772,862
Total goodwill and other assets		4,802,896			4,783,778


TOTAL ASSETS	$	8,254,195			8,184,553


LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	20,407			279,898
Other current liabilities		437,983			456,637
Total current liabilities		458,390			736,535

LONG-TERM DEBT		3,294,119			2,734,357
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES		1,338,446			1,304,456
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		3,163,240			3,409,205

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	8,254,195			8,184,553

CenturyTel, Inc.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(UNAUDITED)


	Three months ended December 31, 2008											Three months ended December 31, 2007
									As adjusted											As adjusted
				Less					excluding						Less					excluding
				non-					non-						non-					non-
	As			recurring					recurring			As			recurring					recurring
In thousands	reported			items					items			reported			items					items

Operating cash flow and cash flow margin
Operating income	$	176,442			(6,706	)	(1	)		183,148			168,974			(14,944	)	(4	)		183,918
Add: Depreciation and amortization		128,796			-					128,796			137,554			-					137,554
Operating cash flow	$	305,238			(6,706	)				311,944			306,528			(14,944	)				321,472

Revenues	$	642,954			307		(2	)		642,647			656,562			(1,284	)	(5	)		657,846

Operating income margin (operating income divided by revenues)		27.4	%							28.5	%		25.7	%							28.0	%

Operating cash flow margin (operating cash flow divided by revenues)		47.5	%							48.5	%		46.7	%							48.9	%


Free cash flow (prior to debt service requirements and dividends)
Net income	$	100,072			13,028		(3	)		87,044			115,033			25,211		(6	)		89,822
Add: Depreciation and amortization		128,796			-					128,796			137,554			-					137,554
Less: Capital expenditures		(101,813	)		-					(101,813	)		(141,744	)		-					(141,744	)
Free cash flow	$	127,055			13,028					114,027			110,843			25,211					85,632

Free cash flow	$	127,055											110,843
Gain on asset dispositions		-											(5,207	)
Deferred income taxes		43,561											(42,093	)
Changes in current assets and current liabilities		(20,636	)										9,094
Decrease in other noncurrent assets		3,636											4,665
Decrease in other noncurrent liabilities		(23,583	)										(6,572	)
Retirement benefits		(47,412	)										5,958
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		(336	)										7
Other, net		1,969											22,114
Add: Capital expenditures		101,813											141,744
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	186,067											240,553


NONRECURRING ITEMS
(1) - Includes costs associated with the pending acquisition of EMBARQ ($5.0 million) and severance and related costs due to workforce reduction, including revenue impact ($1.7 million).
(2) - Revenue effect of severance and related costs due to workforce reduction.
(3) - Includes $12.8 million income tax benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48 and $6.3 million after-tax benefit related
to the recognition of previously accrued transaction related and other contingencies, net of the after-tax effects of costs associated with the pending acquisition of EMBARQ
($5.0 million) and severance and related costs due to workforce reductions, including revenue impact ($1.1 million).
(4) - Includes write-down due to impairment of CLEC assets ($16.6 million) and revenue reduction associated with gain from liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank ($1.3 million),
net of insurance reimbursements associated with previously recorded hurricane related expenses ($3.0 million).
(5) - Revenue effect of gain from liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank.
(6) - Includes (i) $32.7 million income tax benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48, (ii) the after-tax effects of (a) the gain
from liquidation of the Rural Telephone Bank, including revenue effect ($2.4 million), and (b) insurance reimbursements associated with previously recorded hurricane related
expenses ($1.8 million), net of (iii) the after-tax effects of (a) the write-down due to impairment of CLEC assets ($10.4 million) and (b) the impairment of a nonoperating
investment ($1.9 million).

CenturyTel, Inc.
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
(UNAUDITED)

	Twelve months ended December 31, 2008											Twelve months ended December 31, 2007
									As adjusted										As adjusted
				Less					excluding						Less				excluding
				non-					non-						non-				non-
	As			recurring					recurring			As			recurring				recurring
In thousands	reported			items					items			reported			items				items

Operating cash flow and cash flow margin
Operating income	$	721,352			(13,328	)	(1	)		734,680			793,078			37,763	(4	)		755,315
Add: Depreciation and amortization		523,786			-					523,786			536,255			-				536,255
Operating cash flow	$	1,245,138			(13,328	)				1,258,466			1,329,333			37,763				1,291,570

Revenues	$	2,599,747			1,340		(2	)		2,598,407			2,656,241			50,112	(5	)		2,606,129

Operating income margin (operating income divided by revenues)		27.7	%							28.3	%		29.9	%						29.0	%

Operating cash flow margin (operating cash flow divided by revenues)		47.9	%							48.4	%		50.0	%						49.6	%


Free cash flow (prior to debt service requirements and dividends)
Net income	$	365,732			18,595		(3	)		347,137			418,370			64,107	(6	)		354,263
Add: Depreciation and amortization		523,786			-					523,786			536,255			-				536,255
Less: Capital expenditures		(286,817	)		-					(286,817	)		(326,045	)		-				(326,045	)
	$	602,701			18,595					584,106			628,580			64,107				564,473

Free cash flow	$	602,701											628,580
Gain on asset dispositions		(12,452	)										(15,643	)
Deferred income taxes		67,518											1,018
Changes in current assets and current liabilities		(74,325	)										37,608
Decrease in other noncurrent assets		9,744											12,718
Decrease in other noncurrent liabilities		(27,561	)										(20,781	)
Retirement benefits		(26,066	)										27,350
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		(1,123	)										(6,427	)
Other, net		28,047											39,518
Add: Capital expenditures		286,817											326,045
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	853,300											1,029,986


NONRECURRING ITEMS
(1) - Includes curtailment loss related to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, including revenue impact ($6.6 million), costs associated with the pending acquisition of
EMBARQ ($5.0 million) and severance and related costs due to workforce reductions, including revenue impact ($1.7 million).
(2) - Includes revenue impact of curtailment loss related to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ($1.0 million) and revenue impact of severance and related costs due
to workforce reduction ($.3 million).
(3) - Includes (i) $12.8 million income tax benefit due to the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48, (ii) $6.3 million after-tax
benefit related to the recognition of previously accrued transaction related and other contingencies, (iii) after-tax impact of gain upon liquidation of the Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan trust assets ($2.8 million), (iv) after-tax impact of gain on sales of non-core assets ($4.6 million) and (v) net benefit due to the resolution
of certain income tax audit issues ($2.3 million). Such favorable adjustments were partially offset by the (i) after-tax impact of curtailment loss related to Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan, including revenue impact ($4.1 million), (ii) after-tax impact of costs associated with the pending acquisition of EMBARQ ($5.0 million) and
(iii) after-tax impact of severance and related costs due to workforce reductions ($1.1 million).
(4) - Includes (i) $49.0 million revenue recorded upon settlement of a dispute with a carrier; (ii) $5.9 million reimbursement of amounts upon a change in our
satellite television arrangement and (iii) $3.0 million insurance reimbursements associated with previously recorded hurricane related expenses. These favorable
items were partially offset by (i) write-down due to the impairment of CLEC assets ($16.6 million), (ii) impact of severance and related costs due to workforce
reductions ($2.2 million), and (iii) revenue reduction associated with gain from liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank ($1.3 million).
(5) - Includes the sum of (i) $49.0 million revenue recorded upon settlement of a dispute with a carrier; (ii) $1.9 million reimbursement of amounts upon a change
in our satellite television arrangement and (iii) revenue impact of severance and related costs due to workforce reductions ($.5 million), net of revenue
reduction associated with gain from liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank ($1.3 million).
(6) - Includes the after-tax impact of Item (4), the after-tax gain on the sale of a non-core asset ($6.5 million), the after-tax gain from liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank
($3.2 million), the after-tax impairment of a nonoperating investment ($1.9 million), and $32.7 million income tax benefit due to the recognition of previously
unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with FIN 48.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:	FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
February 19, 2009	Tony Davis 318.388.9525 tony.davis@centurytel.com

Fourth Quarter Highlights (Excluding nonrecurring items reflected in the attached financial schedules) (In thousands, except per share amounts and subscriber data)	Quarter Ended 12/31/08		Quarter Ended 12/31/07		% Change
Operating Revenues Operating Cash Flow (1) Net Income Diluted Earnings Per Share Average Diluted Shares Outstanding Capital Expenditures	$ $ $ $ $	642,647 311,944 87,044 .88 99,228 101,813	$ $ $ $ $	657,846 321,472 89,822 .82 110,119 141,744	(2.3) (3.0) (3.1) 7.3 (9.9) (28.2)	% % % % % %
Access Lines High-Speed Internet Customers		1,998,000 641,000		2,135,000 555,000	(6.4) 15.5	% %