Spotlight on CenturyLink

CenturyLink is continuing to build a presence in Illinois. With a geographic footprint reaching north to Jo Davies County and south to Mason County, CenturyLink operates 22 exchanges in three geographic regions of Illinois with more than 37,000 access lines.

“We try to be conscious of the competition,” said John Fordham, Manager Area Operations in the Illinois Market for CenturyLink. “We are competing for the same customers in many regions, which is a double-edged sword. It encourages us to be better in order to the offer customer better service and better pricing. They see that as a real value.”

CenturyLink offers DSL and bundle services, including fast, direct links to businesses with up to a 24-channel dedicated connection, known as a DIA or Direct Internet Access. They also provide high-speed access to many communities, colleges, hospitals and community anchor institutions.

"Where there's an opportunity, we are always eager to expand and upgrade our services," said Fordham. 

In Galesburg, CenturyLink is taking advantage of right-of-ways and building fiber along with a new railroad buildout to upgrade its voice and DSL services.

In addition, CenturyLink partnered with the City of Galesburg to submit an innovative proposal to the Illinois Governor’s Gigabit Communities Challenge that aims to further expand its high-speed network.

The company is also working to bridge the digital divide in Illinois communities. Through the Internet Basics program, CenturyLink offers subsidized computers and information sessions on how the internet can be useful to the consumer. 

“We have offered quite a few sessions at this point, and they have been well-received in the communities we serve,” said Fordham.

View CenturyLink's provider page, maps, updates and more at http://www.broadbandillinois.org/maps/Carrier-Maps/CenturyLink.html.

Tags: CenturyLink, Internet Basic, John Fordham, providers, spotlight

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Partnership for a Connected Illinois 1337 Wabash Ave. Springfield, IL 62704 Phone: (217) 886-4228 Fax: (217) 718-4546 info@broadbandillinois.org