MONROE, La., and OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- CenturyTel, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) and EMBARQ Corporation (NYSE: EQ) today announce the selection of CenturyLink as the name of their combined company.

The company will begin operating under the corporate name CenturyLink immediately upon the closing of the transaction. CenturyLink expects to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CTL, the current symbol of CenturyTel, Inc. and will be found on the Internet at www.centurylink.com.

"Our new brand name was selected because our customers and employees told us it reflected a company that is forward-looking and committed to linking the country together," said Glen F. Post III, who will be chief executive officer of CenturyLink.

CenturyLink Inc. (NYSE: CTL)

Embarq Corp. (NYSE: EQ)