News Details

CenturyTel Reports Third Quarter Earnings

November 2, 2006

MONROE, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

CenturyTel, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) announces operating results for third quarter 2006.

    --  Operating revenues, excluding nonrecurring items, were $619.4
        million compared to $657.1 million for third quarter 2005.
        (Third quarter 2005 revenues included the recognition of $35.9
        million of prior period revenue settlements.) Reported under
        GAAP, third quarter 2006 operating revenues were $620.1
        million.

    --  Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, was $78.1 million
        compared to $99.0 million in third quarter 2005. Reported
        under GAAP, third quarter 2006 net income was $76.5 million.

    --  Diluted earnings per share, excluding nonrecurring items, was
        $.66 compared to $.74 in third quarter 2005. Reported under
        GAAP, third quarter 2006 diluted earnings per share was $.65.

    --  Free cash flow (as defined in the attached financial
        schedules), excluding nonrecurring items, was $125.3 million
        in third quarter 2006 compared to $127.5 million in third
        quarter 2005.

    --  Over 1.7 million shares were repurchased and retired for $67.6
        million during the quarter.
Third Quarter Highlights
(Excluding nonrecurring items)
(In thousands, except per
 share amounts and customer     Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
 units)                            9/30/06       9/30/05    % Change
------------------------------  ------------- ------------- ----------
Operating Revenues               $619,432      $657,085      (5.7)%
Operating Cash Flow (1)          $301,644      $340,621     (11.4)%
Net Income                        $78,087       $98,977     (21.1)%
Diluted Earnings Per Share           $.66          $.74     (10.8)%
Average Diluted Shares
 Outstanding                      120,448       135,916     (11.4)%
Capital Expenditures              $82,579      $105,044     (21.4)%
------------------------------  ------------- ------------- ----------
Telephone Access Lines          2,124,000     2,250,000      (5.6)%
High-speed Internet Customers     340,000 (2)   220,000       54.5%(2)
------------------------------  ------------- ------------- ----------

(1) Operating Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. A
     reconciliation of this item to comparable GAAP measures is
     included in the attached financial schedules.

(2) Telephone Access Lines at 9/30/2006 reflect the removal of
     approximately 24,000 test lines and a positive adjustment of
     approximately 9,000 lines related to database conversion and
     clean-up. Excluding the impact of these two one-time adjustments,
     access line losses for third quarter 2006 were approximately
     29,000 and year-over-year line loss was 5.0%.

"CenturyTel's revenue and diluted earnings per share during the third quarter exceeded our expectations," Glen F. Post, III, chairman and chief executive officer, said. "These solid results were driven by continued growth in data revenues and bundled services along with effective cost containment by our employees."

Operating revenues, excluding nonrecurring items, for third quarter 2006 were $619.4 million compared to $657.1 million in third quarter 2005. This $37.7 million decrease was primarily due to $32.2 million lower prior period revenue settlements in third quarter 2006 than in third quarter 2005. The remaining $5.5 million decline primarily reflects the revenue impact of access line losses and lower access revenues which more than offset revenue growth related to an increase in the number of high-speed Internet subscribers and growth in data revenues.

Operating cash flow, excluding nonrecurring items, decreased to $301.6 million from $340.6 million primarily due to the lower prior period revenue settlements and other revenue impacts discussed above. For third quarter 2006, CenturyTel achieved an operating cash flow margin of 48.7% versus 51.8% in third quarter 2005.

Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, was $78.1 million in third quarter 2006 compared to $99.0 million in third quarter 2005. The decrease was primarily driven by the after-tax impact of the decline in prior period revenue settlements discussed above. Diluted earnings per share, excluding nonrecurring items, was $.66 for third quarter 2006, a 10.8% decrease from the $.74 reported in third quarter 2005. This decrease was driven by lower net income, which was partially offset by the 11.4% decline in average diluted shares outstanding that was a result of share repurchases since third quarter 2005.

"We generated more than $125 million of free cash flow during the quarter and returned more than $100 million of cash to shareholders through the settlement of accelerated share repurchase agreements, cash dividends and the repurchase and retirement of more than 1.7 million shares of common stock," Post said.

For the first nine months of 2006, operating revenues, excluding nonrecurring items, decreased to $1.839 billion from $1.859 billion for the same period in 2005. Operating cash flow, excluding nonrecurring items, was $896.3 million for the first nine months of 2006 compared to $966.0 million a year ago. Net income, excluding nonrecurring items, was $224.1 million in the first nine months of 2006 compared to $264.1 million during the same period in 2005. Diluted earnings per share, excluding nonrecurring items, was $1.85 during the first nine months of 2006 compared to $1.97 in the first nine months of 2005.

Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), net income for third quarter 2006 was $76.5 million compared to $91.4 million for third quarter 2005 and diluted earnings per share for third quarter 2006 was $.65 compared to $.68 for third quarter 2005. Third quarter 2006 net income and diluted earnings per share reflect a net after-tax charge of $1.6 million ($.01 per share) related to a reduction in workforce during the quarter. Third quarter 2005 net income and diluted earnings per share reflect a net after-tax charge of $7.6 million ($.06 per share) from expenses associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and transactions related to certain non-operating investments.

Net income under GAAP for the first nine months of 2006 was $298.3 million compared to $256.1 million for the first nine months of 2005 and diluted earnings per share for the first nine months of 2006 was $2.45 compared to $1.91 for the first nine months of 2005. See the accompanying financial schedules for detail of the Company's nonrecurring items for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.

Outlook. For fourth quarter 2006, CenturyTel expects total revenues of $605 to $615 million and diluted earnings per share of $.60 to $.65. As a result of better than anticipated third quarter performance, the Company has increased and narrowed the range of anticipated full year 2006 diluted earnings per share guidance from $2.35 to $2.45 to $2.45 to $2.50.

CenturyTel expects to provide full year 2007 earnings per share guidance in February 2007. The Company has, however, identified several items that can be expected to affect 2007 results when compared to 2006. First, revenue settlements related to prior periods are anticipated to increase and positively impact 2007 diluted earnings per share by $.17 to $.22. This increase will partially offset the impact of anticipated access line losses and continued pressures on access revenues. Additionally, depreciation expense is expected to decline in 2007 due to certain telephone assets becoming fully depreciated. These and other items that may affect 2007 results will be discussed during the Company's fourth quarter 2006 earnings call.

All outlook figures provided under this section are presented excluding the potential impact of any future mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, any share repurchases after October 31, 2006, or other nonrecurring events.

Reconciliation to GAAP. This release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures, including but not limited to operating cash flow, free cash flow and adjustments to GAAP measures to exclude the effect of nonrecurring items. In addition to providing key metrics for management to evaluate the Company's performance, we believe these measurements assist investors in their understanding of period-to-period operating performance and in identifying historical and prospective trends. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the attached financial statements. Reconciliation of additional non-GAAP financial measures that may be discussed during the earnings call described below will be available in the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at www.centurytel.com. Investors are urged to consider these non-GAAP measures in addition to, and not in substitution for, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Investor Call. As previously announced, CenturyTel's management will host a conference call at 10:30 a.m. Central Time today. Interested parties can access the call by dialing 866.261.3330. The call will be accessible for replay through November 8, 2006, by calling 888.266.2081 and entering the access code: 978143. Investors can also listen to CenturyTel's earnings conference call and replay by accessing the Investor Relations portion of the Company's Web site at www.centurytel.com prior to November 23, 2006.

In addition to historical information, this release includes certain forward-looking statements, estimates and projections that are based on current expectations only, and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: the timing, success and overall effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers; the risks inherent in rapid technological change; the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry; the Company's ability to effectively manage its expansion opportunities, including retaining and hiring key personnel; possible changes in the demand for, or pricing of, the Company's products and services; the Company's ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis; the Company's ability to collect its receivables from financially troubled communications companies; the Company's ability to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages; the effect of adverse weather; other risks referenced from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"); and the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in tax rates, in accounting policies or practices, in operating, medical or administrative costs, in general market, labor or economic conditions, or in legislation, regulation or public policy. These and other uncertainties related to the Company's business are described in greater detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, as updated by the Company's subsequent SEC reports. You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to identify all such factors, nor can it predict the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any one or more factors may cause actual results to differ from those reflected in any forward-looking statements. You are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. The information contained in this release is as of November 2, 2006. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements for any reason.

CenturyTel (NYSE:CTL) is a leading provider of communications, high-speed Internet and entertainment services in small-to-mid-size cities through our broadband and fiber transport networks. Included in the S&P 500 Index, CenturyTel delivers advanced communications with a personal touch to customers in 25 states. Visit us at www.centurytel.com.

                           CenturyTel, Inc.
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
            THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005
                             (UNAUDITED)


                                Three months ended September 30, 2006
                                -------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-        non-
In thousands, except per share       As       recurring    recurring
 amounts                          reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ -----------

OPERATING REVENUES
  Voice (a)                        $216,180                  216,180
  Network access                    219,820       560 (1)    219,260
  Data                               91,473        91 (1)     91,382
  Fiber transport and CLEC           37,487                   37,487
  Other                              55,123                   55,123
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                    620,083       651        619,432
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING EXPENSES
  Cost of services and products     226,831     3,092 (1)    223,739
  Selling, general and
   administrative                    94,212       163 (1)     94,049
  Depreciation and amortization     129,840                  129,840
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                    450,883     3,255        447,628
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING INCOME                    169,200    (2,604)       171,804

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                  (47,857)                 (47,857)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                      891                      891
  Other income (expense)              1,927                    1,927
  Income tax expense                (47,678)    1,000 (2)    (48,678)

                                ------------ ---------    -----------
NET INCOME                          $76,483    (1,604)        78,087
                                ============ =========    ===========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE              $0.66     (0.01)          0.68
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE            $0.65     (0.01)          0.66

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
  Basic                             115,221                  115,221
  Diluted                           120,448                  120,448

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE          $0.0625                   0.0625

                                Three months ended September 30, 2005
                                -------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-        non-
In thousands, except per share       As       recurring    recurring
 amounts                          reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ -----------

OPERATING REVENUES
  Voice (a)                         225,857                  225,857
  Network access                    257,586                  257,586
  Data                               88,911                   88,911
  Fiber transport and CLEC           36,361                   36,361
  Other                              48,370                   48,370
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                    657,085         -        657,085
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING EXPENSES
  Cost of services and products     222,724     5,853 (3)    216,871
  Selling, general and
   administrative                    99,593                   99,593
  Depreciation and amortization     133,526                  133,526
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                    455,843     5,853        449,990
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING INCOME                    201,242    (5,853)       207,095

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                  (49,904)                 (49,904)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                    1,270                    1,270
  Other income (expense)             (4,214)   (6,429)(4)      2,215
  Income tax expense                (56,983)    4,716 (5)    (61,699)

                                ------------ ---------    -----------
NET INCOME                           91,411    (7,566)        98,977
                                ============ =========    ===========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE               0.70     (0.06)          0.76
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE             0.68     (0.06)          0.74

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
  Basic                             130,150                  130,150
  Diluted                           135,916                  135,916

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE           0.0600                   0.0600



                                                            Increase
                                                           (decrease)
                                               Increase    excluding
                                              (decrease)  nonrecurring
In thousands, except per share amounts       as reported     items
                                             ------------ ------------

OPERATING REVENUES
  Voice (a)                                        (4.3%)       (4.3%)
  Network access                                  (14.7%)      (14.9%)
  Data                                               2.9%         2.8%
  Fiber transport and CLEC                           3.1%         3.1%
  Other                                             14.0%        14.0%
                                                   (5.6%)       (5.7%)

OPERATING EXPENSES
  Cost of services and products                      1.8%         3.2%
  Selling, general and administrative              (5.4%)       (5.6%)
  Depreciation and amortization                    (2.8%)       (2.8%)
                                                   (1.1%)       (0.5%)

OPERATING INCOME                                  (15.9%)      (17.0%)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                                 (4.1%)       (4.1%)
  Income from unconsolidated cellular entity      (29.8%)      (29.8%)
  Other income (expense)                         (145.7%)      (13.0%)
  Income tax expense                              (16.3%)      (21.1%)

NET INCOME                                        (16.3%)      (21.1%)

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE                           (5.7%)      (10.5%)
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE                         (4.4%)      (10.8%)

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
  Basic                                           (11.5%)      (11.5%)
  Diluted                                         (11.4%)      (11.4%)

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE                           4.2%         4.2%


NONRECURRING ITEMS

(1) - Severance and related costs due to workforce reduction,
 including revenue impact.

(2) - Tax effect of Item (1).

(3) - Expenses associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

(4) - Includes (i) $9.9 million impairment of nonoperating investment,
 net of (ii) $3.5 million gain on sale of a separate nonoperating
 investment.

(5) - Tax effect of Items (3) and (4).

(a) Revenues previously reported as "Local service" and "Long
 distance" have been combined into this "Voice" category for all
 periods presented.
                           CenturyTel, Inc.
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
            NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND 2005
                             (UNAUDITED)


                                Nine months ended September 30, 2006
                                -------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-        non-
In thousands, except per share       As       recurring    recurring
 amounts                          reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ -----------

OPERATING REVENUES
  Voice (a)                        $650,415                  650,415
  Network access                    666,652     1,688 (1)    664,964
  Data                              259,158       275 (1)    258,883
  Fiber transport and CLEC          109,318                  109,318
  Other                             155,320                  155,320
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                  1,840,863     1,963      1,838,900
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING EXPENSES
  Cost of services and products     666,249     8,585 (1)    657,664
  Selling, general and
   administrative                   285,748       845 (1)    284,903
  Depreciation and amortization     396,225                  396,225
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                  1,348,222     9,430      1,338,792
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING INCOME                    492,641    (7,467)       500,108

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                 (148,582)                (148,582)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                    5,040                    5,040
  Other income (expense)            125,834   118,649 (2)      7,185
  Income tax expense               (176,657)  (36,976)(3)   (139,681)

                                ------------ ---------    -----------
NET INCOME                         $298,276    74,206        224,070
                                ============ =========    ===========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE              $2.53      0.63           1.90
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE            $2.45      0.60           1.85

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
  Basic                             117,685                  117,685
  Diluted                           123,348                  123,348

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE          $0.1875                   0.1875

                                Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                                -------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-        non-
In thousands, except per share       As       recurring    recurring
 amounts                          reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ -----------

OPERATING REVENUES
  Voice (a)                         672,065                  672,065
  Network access                    727,268                  727,268
  Data                              237,866                  237,866
  Fiber transport and CLEC           78,240                   78,240
  Other                             143,341                  143,341
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                  1,858,780         -      1,858,780
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING EXPENSES
  Cost of services and products     609,590     5,853 (4)    603,737
  Selling, general and
   administrative                   289,053                  289,053
  Depreciation and amortization     396,153                  396,153
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
                                  1,294,796     5,853      1,288,943
                                ------------ ---------    -----------

OPERATING INCOME                    563,984    (5,853)       569,837

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                 (152,176)   (1,196)(5)   (150,980)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                    3,307                    3,307
  Other income (expense)             (1,459)   (8,003)(6)      6,544
  Income tax expense               (157,511)    7,111 (7)   (164,622)

                                ------------ ---------    -----------
NET INCOME                          256,145    (7,941)       264,086
                                ============ =========    ===========

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE               1.95     (0.06)          2.02
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE             1.91     (0.06)          1.97

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
  Basic                             130,877                  130,877
  Diluted                           136,143                  136,143

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE           0.1800                   0.1800



                                                            Increase
                                                           (decrease)
                                               Increase    excluding
                                              (decrease)  nonrecurring
In thousands, except per share amounts       as reported     items
                                             ------------ ------------

OPERATING REVENUES
  Voice (a)                                        (3.2%)       (3.2%)
  Network access                                   (8.3%)       (8.6%)
  Data                                               9.0%         8.8%
  Fiber transport and CLEC                          39.7%        39.7%
  Other                                              8.4%         8.4%
                                                   (1.0%)       (1.1%)

OPERATING EXPENSES
  Cost of services and products                      9.3%         8.9%
  Selling, general and administrative              (1.1%)       (1.4%)
  Depreciation and amortization                      0.0%         0.0%
                                                     4.1%         3.9%

OPERATING INCOME                                  (12.6%)      (12.2%)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
  Interest expense                                 (2.4%)       (1.6%)
  Income from unconsolidated cellular entity        52.4%        52.4%
  Other income (expense)                        (8724.7%)         9.8%
  Income tax expense                                12.2%      (15.2%)

NET INCOME                                          16.4%      (15.2%)

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE                            29.7%       (5.9%)
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE                          28.3%       (6.1%)

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
  Basic                                           (10.1%)      (10.1%)
  Diluted                                          (9.4%)       (9.4%)

DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE                           4.2%         4.2%


NONRECURRING ITEMS

(1) - Severance and related costs due to workforce reduction,
 including revenue impact.

(2) - Includes gain recorded upon redemption of Rural Telephone Bank
 stock ($117.8 million) and gain recorded upon sale of Arizona
 properties ($.9 million).

(3) - Includes $43.4 million net tax expense related to Items (1) and
 (2), net of $6.4 million net tax benefit due to the resolution of
 various income tax audit issues.

(4) - Expenses associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

(5) - Write-off of unamortized deferred debt costs associated with
 purchasing and retiring approximately $400 million of Series J notes.

(6) - Includes (i) a $9.9 million impairment of nonoperating
 investment and a $4.8 million debt extinguishment charge related to
 purchasing and retiring approximately $400 million of Series J notes,
 net of (ii) a $3.5 million gain on sale of a separate nonoperating
 investment and $3.2 million of interest income related to the
 settlement of various income tax audits.

(7) - Includes (i) $5.8 million net tax benefit of Items (4), (5) and
 (6) and (ii) $1.3 million tax benefit related to the settlement of
 various income tax audits.

(a) Revenues previously reported as "Local service" and "Long
 distance" have been combined into this "Voice" category for all
 periods presented.
                           CenturyTel, Inc.
                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AND DECEMBER 31, 2005
                             (UNAUDITED)

                                           September 30, December 31,
                                               2006          2005
                                           ------------- -------------
                                                  (in thousands)
                  ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents                     $32,694       158,846
  Other current assets                          235,852       264,170
                                           ------------- -------------
    Total current assets                        268,546       423,016
                                           ------------- -------------

NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
  Property, plant and equipment               7,866,852     7,801,377
  Accumulated depreciation                   (4,736,812)   (4,496,891)
                                           ------------- -------------
    Net property, plant and equipment         3,130,040     3,304,486
                                           ------------- -------------

GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS
  Goodwill                                    3,431,136     3,432,649
  Other                                         575,904       602,556
                                           ------------- -------------
    Total goodwill and other assets           4,007,040     4,035,205
                                           ------------- -------------

TOTAL ASSETS                                 $7,405,626     7,762,707
                                           ============= =============


          LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Current maturities of long-term debt         $194,117       276,736
  Other current liabilities                     420,093       469,494
                                           ------------- -------------
    Total current liabilities                   614,210       746,230

LONG-TERM DEBT                                2,417,807     2,376,070
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES        1,068,570     1,023,134
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                          3,305,039     3,617,273
                                           ------------- -------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY                 $7,405,626     7,762,707
                                           ============= =============
                           CenturyTel, Inc.
            RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
                             (UNAUDITED)


                                Three months ended September 30, 2006
                                -------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-        non-
                                     As       recurring    recurring
In thousands                      reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ -----------
Operating cash flow and cash
 flow margin
  Operating income                 $169,200    (2,604)(1)    171,804
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     129,840         -        129,840
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
  Operating cash flow              $299,040    (2,604)       301,644
                                ============ =========    ===========

  Revenues                         $620,083       651 (1)    619,432
                                ============ =========    ===========

  Operating income margin
   (operating income divided by
   revenues)                           27.3%                    27.7%
                                ============              ===========

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided
   by revenues)                        48.2%                    48.7%
                                ============              ===========


Free cash flow (prior to debt
 service requirements and
 dividends)
  Net income                        $76,483    (1,604)(1)     78,087
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     129,840         -        129,840
  Less: Capital expenditures        (82,579)        -        (82,579)
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
  Free cash flow                   $123,744    (1,604)       125,348
                                ============ =========    ===========

  Free cash flow                   $123,744
  Gain on asset dispositions              -
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                     (891)
  Deferred income taxes              11,361
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities              (13,935)
  (Increase) decrease in other
   noncurrent assets                  4,427
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities            (2,052)
  Retirement benefits                10,406
  Excess tax benefits from
   share-based compensation          (2,913)
  Other, net                          3,465
  Add: Capital expenditures          82,579
                                ------------
  Net cash provided by
   operating activities            $216,191
                                ============

                                Three months ended September 30, 2005
                                --------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-         non-
                                     As       recurring    recurring
In thousands                      reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating cash flow and cash
 flow margin
  Operating income                  201,242    (5,853)(2)     207,095
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     133,526                   133,526
                                ------------ ---------    ------------
  Operating cash flow               334,768    (5,853)        340,621
                                ============ =========    ============

  Revenues                          657,085         -         657,085
                                ============ =========    ============

  Operating income margin
   (operating income divided by
   revenues)                           30.6%                     31.5%
                                ============              ============

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided
   by revenues)                        50.9%                     51.8%
                                ============              ============


Free cash flow (prior to debt
 service requirements and
 dividends)
  Net income                         91,411    (7,566)(3)      98,977
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     133,526         -         133,526
  Less: Capital expenditures       (105,044)        -        (105,044)
                                ------------ ---------    ------------
  Free cash flow                    119,893    (7,566)        127,459
                                ============ =========    ============

  Free cash flow                    119,893
  Gain on asset dispositions         (3,500)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                   (1,270)
  Deferred income taxes               7,471
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities               10,413
  (Increase) decrease in other
   noncurrent assets                 (2,730)
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities             3,080
  Retirement benefits                 1,472
  Excess tax benefits from
   share-based compensation               -
  Other, net                         14,583
  Add: Capital expenditures         105,044
                                ------------
  Net cash provided by
   operating activities             254,456
                                ============


NONRECURRING ITEMS

(1) - Severance and related costs due to workforce reduction,
 including revenue impact (presented on both a pre-tax and an after-
 tax basis).

(2) - Expenses associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (presented
 on a pre-tax basis).

(3) - Includes (i) a $6.1 million after-tax expense from impairment of
 non-operating investment and a $3.6 million after-tax expense
 associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, net of (ii) a $2.2
 million after-tax gain on sale of a separate non-operating
 investment.
                           CenturyTel, Inc.
            RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
                             (UNAUDITED)


                                Nine months ended September 30, 2006
                                -------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-        non-
                                     As       recurring    recurring
In thousands                      reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ -----------
Operating cash flow and cash
 flow margin
  Operating income                 $492,641    (7,467)(1)    500,108
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     396,225         -        396,225
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
  Operating cash flow              $888,866    (7,467)       896,333
                                ============ =========    ===========

  Revenues                       $1,840,863     1,963 (1)  1,838,900
                                ============ =========    ===========

  Operating income margin
   (operating income divided by
   revenues)                           26.8%                    27.2%
                                ============              ===========

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided
   by revenues)                        48.3%                    48.7%
                                ============              ===========


Free cash flow (prior to debt
 service requirements and
 dividends)
  Net income                       $298,276    74,206 (2)    224,070
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     396,225         -        396,225
  Less: Capital expenditures       (213,034)        -       (213,034)
                                ------------ ---------    -----------
  Free cash flow                   $481,467    74,206        407,261
                                ============ =========    ===========

  Free cash flow                   $481,467
  Gain on asset dispositions       (118,649)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                   (5,040)
  Deferred income taxes              33,713
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities              (14,241)
  (Increase) decrease in other
   noncurrent assets                  5,396
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities              (502)
  Retirement benefits                25,332
  Excess tax benefits from
   share-based compensation          (7,860)
  Other, net                          9,858
  Add: Capital expenditures         213,034
                                ------------
  Net cash provided by
   operating activities            $622,508
                                ============

                                 Nine months ended September 30, 2005
                                --------------------------------------

                                                          As adjusted
                                                 Less      excluding
                                                 non-         non-
                                     As       recurring    recurring
In thousands                      reported      items        items
                                ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating cash flow and cash
 flow margin
  Operating income                  563,984    (5,853)(3)     569,837
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     396,153                   396,153
                                ------------ ---------    ------------
  Operating cash flow               960,137    (5,853)        965,990
                                ============ =========    ============

  Revenues                        1,858,780                 1,858,780
                                ============ =========    ============

  Operating income margin
   (operating income divided by
   revenues)                           30.3%                     30.7%
                                ============              ============

  Operating cash flow margin
   (operating cash flow divided
   by revenues)                        51.7%                     52.0%
                                ============              ============


Free cash flow (prior to debt
 service requirements and
 dividends)
  Net income                        256,145    (7,941)(4)     264,086
  Add: Depreciation and
   amortization                     396,153                   396,153
  Less: Capital expenditures       (281,958)                 (281,958)
                                ------------ ---------    ------------
  Free cash flow                    370,340    (7,941)        378,281
                                ============ =========    ============

  Free cash flow                    370,340
  Gain on asset dispositions         (3,500)
  Income from unconsolidated
   cellular entity                   (3,307)
  Deferred income taxes              33,418
  Changes in current assets and
   current liabilities               29,367
  (Increase) decrease in other
   noncurrent assets                 (4,207)
  Increase (decrease) in other
   noncurrent liabilities             2,496
  Retirement benefits                13,989
  Excess tax benefits from
   share-based compensation               -
  Other, net                         12,815
  Add: Capital expenditures         281,958
                                ------------
  Net cash provided by
   operating activities             733,369
                                ============


NONRECURRING ITEMS

(1) - Severance and related costs due to workforce reduction,
 including revenue impact.

(2) - Includes (i) $72.4 million after-tax gains recorded upon
 redemption of Rural Telephone Bank stock and sale of Arizona
 properties, (ii) $4.6 million severance and related costs due to
 workforce reduction, including revenue impact, net of tax, and (iii)
 $6.4 million net tax benefit due to the resolution of various income
 tax audit issues.

(3) - Expenses associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (presented
 on a pre-tax basis).

(4) - Includes (i) a $6.1 million after-tax expense from impairment of
 non-operating investment, a $3.7 million after-tax expense related to
 purchasing and retiring approximately $400 million of Series J notes
 and a $3.6 million after-tax expense associated with Hurricanes
 Katrina and Rita, net of (ii) a $3.3 million net benefit related to
 the settlement of various income tax audits and a $2.2 million after-
 tax gain on sale of non-operating investment.

Source: CenturyTel, Inc.

Contact: CenturyTel, Inc. Media: Patricia Cameron, 318-388-9674 patricia.cameron@centurytel.com or Investors: Tony Davis, 318-388-9525 tony.davis@centurytel.com