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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 15
DECEMBER 2006
Contact Bill Robertson, for the LPSC, 318 676 7464 or 318
208 2288
Or Tracey Moses for CenturyTel, 318-449-6420
CenturyTel Expands
Broadband Access in 12 North LA Communities
SHREVEPORT, 15 December 2006 — Public Service
Commissioner Foster Campbell said CenturyTel will
launch high-speed Internet service in seven North
Louisiana towns and expand broadband service in five other
communities.
“Gaining access to high-speed Internet service comes up
continually in my daily contacts with constituents and
during my town-hall meetings across North Louisiana,”
Campbell said. “This move by CenturyTel will help
residents of these dozen communities close the ‘digital
divide.’”
CenturyTel, based in Monroe, is launching its “HSI” or
high-speed Internet service in Belcher, Gilliam, Rodessa,
Chatham, Shongaloo, Spencer, and Junction City this month.
CenturyTel will also expand the coverage area of its
existing HSI service in Choudrant, Marion, Plain Dealing,
Springhill, and Vivian.
Billy Dorsey, CenturyTel operations manager for North
Louisiana, said HSI offers Internet users processing
speeds up to 25 times faster than a dial-up connection.
“HSI is ideal for the quick transfer of large files, and
more efficient work-at-home, distance-learning and
video-gaming,” he said. “Customers will have a choice in
speeds at different price levels.”
CenturyTel’s high-speed Internet service allows the
simultaneous transmission of voice, data and video. In the
communities gaining new or expanded access this month, it
will generally be available for customers located within
three miles of the CenturyTel central office.
Once connected, users’ experiences with interactive video
applications like movies-on-demand and continuous video
streaming of news, weather, sports and games are enhanced,
as are telecommuting and remote Local Area Network and
Internet access.
Campbell said the content of Internet traffic is changing
to more complex graphic pages and larger files, which
means it takes longer for on-line users with dial-up
connections.
“This broadband expansion by CenturyTel will bring north
Louisiana nearer to the technology forefront, and help
people and businesses take advantage of the latest
broadband benefits,” he said.
In central and southern Louisiana, CenturyTel plans to
introduce high-speed Internet service in Roanoke in the
fourth quarter of this year. The company will expand its
existing HSI footprint in Arnaudville, Basile, Cankton,
Church Point, DeQuincy, Jena, Kinder, Oberlin, Ragley,
Ville Platte, and Breaux Bridge.
CenturyTel began offering HSI service in Cottonport,
Simmesport, Plaucheville, Moreauville, Mansura, Big Cane,
Glenmora, and Calcasieu earlier this year.
For more information about CenturyTel HSI, call
1-800-201-4099.
CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) is a leading provider of consumer
and business communications solutions in rural areas and
small-to-midsize cities in 25 states.
Foster Campbell of Bossier City is Public Service
Commissioner for LPSC District 5, representing 24 parishes
in North Louisiana. |
