MONROE, La. — CenturyTel, Inc. and EMBARQ announced that the Georgia, Mississippi and Nebraska Public Service Commissions and the Minnesota and Ohio Public Utilities Commissions have each granted approval of CenturyTel’s pending acquisition of EMBARQ. CenturyTel operates with 31,500 access lines in Georgia.
“Obtaining the approvals of Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska and Ohio is an important step toward completing the merger,” said Glen F. Post III, CenturyTel’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The public interest benefits of this transaction are compelling, and we look forward to receiving additional state approvals in the coming weeks. The combination of CenturyTel and EMBARQ will better position us to deliver high-quality, reliable communications services for our customers and the communities we serve,” Post said.
“This merger offers benefits for customers not only in the five states that have now granted approval, but in all of the 33 states where the combined company will operate as a local telecommunications provider,” said Tom Gerke, EMBARQ’s chief executive officer. “We will continue to work closely with CenturyTel to obtain the remaining needed approvals for this transaction.”
On Jan. 27, CenturyTel and EMBARQ shareholders approved all proposals related to the merger. On Nov. 24, the companies received early termination of the waiting period required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Eighteen of the 33 states do not require formal approval of the merger.
“Obtaining the approvals of Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska and Ohio is an important step toward completing the merger,” said Glen F. Post III, CenturyTel’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The public interest benefits of this transaction are compelling, and we look forward to receiving additional state approvals in the coming weeks. The combination of CenturyTel and EMBARQ will better position us to deliver high-quality, reliable communications services for our customers and the communities we serve,” Post said.
“This merger offers benefits for customers not only in the five states that have now granted approval, but in all of the 33 states where the combined company will operate as a local telecommunications provider,” said Tom Gerke, EMBARQ’s chief executive officer. “We will continue to work closely with CenturyTel to obtain the remaining needed approvals for this transaction.”
On Jan. 27, CenturyTel and EMBARQ shareholders approved all proposals related to the merger. On Nov. 24, the companies received early termination of the waiting period required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. Eighteen of the 33 states do not require formal approval of the merger.