Department of Justice approves CenturyLink’s Proposed Sale of Former Level 3 Metro Network Assets in Albuquerque to Unite Private Networks

22 Mar Department of Justice approves CenturyLink’s Proposed Sale of Former Level 3 Metro Network Assets in Albuquerque to Unite Private Networks

MONROE, La., March 14, 2018 — CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has approved the sale of certain former Level 3 metro network assets in the Albuquerque, N.M., area to Unite Private Networks (UPN), a leading provider of high-capacity, fiber-based communication networks headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. The sale is subject to other governmental approvals, including the Federal Communications Commission, along with other customary closing conditions.

Last fall, CenturyLink entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to divest former Level 3 metro fiber network assets in the metro areas of Albuquerque, N.M.; Boise, Idaho; and Tucson, Ariz., in connection with CenturyLink’s acquisition of Level 3 Communications, Inc. The sale of the Level 3 Albuquerque area network assets to UPN, once concluded, will fulfill part of that commitment.

CenturyLink will continue to serve all former Level 3 customers in Albuquerque unless they choose to be served by UPN following the closing of the sale. Where needed to provide uninterrupted service to its customers in Albuquerque, CenturyLink will purchase network connectivity and services from UPN.

“The acquisition of the former Level 3 network in Albuquerque will allow UPN to serve business customers in Albuquerque almost immediately upon closing, accelerating our initial plans to service the business community,” said Jason Adkins, President of Unite Private Networks. “Once the transaction is approved, we will quickly work on deploying 100 Gigibit capabilities in Albuquerque.” The proposed sale to UPN does not include or affect the Albuquerque area networks and business assets CenturyLink operated prior to the Level 3 acquisition. CenturyLink retains those assets and will continue providing a full suite of leading edge telecommunications services to residential and business customers in Albuquerque.

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.