EMBARQ says it understands how important it is for its customers to complete their home phone calls and that the company is committed to having the most reliable network. As proof, the company is publicizing results from a new, independent research study that EMBARQ says supports that commitment.

The study found that EMBARQ™ Home Phone service is more reliable than Cox™ telephone service in the Las Vegas market. The study found that calls are seven times more likely to not be completed if you're using Cox™ telephone service instead of EMBARQ™ Home Phone service. The research results are at the center of the new, "Don't Get Cabled," advertising campaign by EMBARQ.

The "Don't Get Cabled" campaign focuses on call completion and dropped call research testing the reliability of voice service offered by EMBARQ and Cox in the Las Vegas market. Key findings from the study show that the EMBARQ™ Home Phone service call completion rate was significantly better than the Cox™ telephone service call completion rate. The study defines call completion as successfully making a connection to the called number or receiving call audio on the first attempt.

"Reliable communications service is critical to consumers who want to stay in touch with family and friends and effortlessly take care of their day-to-day needs," said Mark Kenyon, vice president of Consumer Marketing at EMBARQ. "People tend to take home phone reliability for granted; this study suggests they shouldn't."

The independent research study was conducted in Las Vegas by Keynote Competitive Research, the research group of Keynote® Systems, Inc., and tested reliability using both Cox™ telephone service and EMBARQ™ Home Phone services. The calls were placed from multiple locations, dispersed throughout the Las Vegas service area.

For more information, check out the EMBARQ press release.

CenturyTel has been recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the "400 Best Big Companies in America." This "Platinum 400" list identifies the best of the largest publicly traded companies in America—from across 26 industry groups—after a thorough review of financial metrics, Wall Street forecasts, corporate governance ratings and other public information.

CenturyTel has achieved this honor in eight of the nine years of the listing since it was first published in Forbes in 1999. The Forbes Honor Roll includes companies such as Best Buy, Proctor & Gamble and United Technologies.

"We are very pleased to be included on this prestigious list," said Glen Post, Chairman and CEO of CenturyTel. "Forbes recognition reflects the commitment of CenturyTel's employees to our Unifying Principles and to delivering advanced communication with a personal touch to the communities we serve."

According to Forbes, contenders for this honor included more than 1,000 American and foreign corporations that have a significant presence in the U.S., at least $1 billion in revenue in the most recent fiscal year and a stock price of at least $5 per share. Forbes ranked these companies against their industry peers on five-year and 12-month sales and earnings growth and total return to shareholders. This ranking system also included consensus forecasts for long-term earnings growth and debt-to-capital ratios. Using these individual rankings, they gave each company a composite score and an overall rank within its industry.

Forbes also used Audit Integrity, an independent research and rating service that evaluates the risks associated with accounting and governance practices, for help in eliminating any companies that scored high by their core methodology, but may have the potential for other problems. "The audit is especially significant because it recognizes that we conduct our business activities with integrity and the highest standards for ethical behavior," said Glen Post. "It supports our belief that the way we conduct our business is crucial to our company's long term success."

The complete list of companies can be viewed at www.forbes.com/lists.

Unisys Corporation recently announced that it has successfully implemented a next-generation, value-added messaging platform for EMBARQ.

EMBARQ used Unisys Next Generation Messaging Service (NGMS) as the basis of an innovative suite of enhanced messaging services. NGMS provides converged messaging services including unified communications, voice messaging, family mailboxes, and fixed-mobile converged mailboxes. The next generation services capability of NGMS has allowed EMBARQ to offer enhanced services such as the EMBARQ™ Together Plan^SM integrated voice mail, allowing customers to retrieve messages from either their wireless or home phone device.

"The Unisys solution suite is enabling us to give our subscribers a seamless approach to converged communications messaging," said Harry Campbell, president of EMBARQ Consumer Markets. "Unisys delivered a mission-critical application on-time, on-budget, and did whatever was necessary to shorten the time lines and meet our objectives to launch the NGMS as we launched a whole new company with millions of customers."

Unisys has integrated a next generation, service-oriented architecture (SOA) for EMBARQ to provide converged communications messaging solutions to EMBARQ consumers in 18 states. These consumer services, developed in conjunction with Data Connection Limited (DCL), can be used from mobile, office, and residential phone devices as well as personal computers.

"As the competitive communication market converges in the consumer's home, office and on the move, it is increasingly important for EMBARQ to be able to build new services quickly," said Glenn James, president, Global Communications, Unisys. "The consumer expects that communication services become seamless regardless of what location and device they use, so Unisys is providing the services and framework that help unify these technologies. This effort illustrates how agile technology solutions can connect business strategy, technology devices and consumer need."

EMBARQ has integrated all new subscribers to the advanced messaging service and has begun the migration of its existing subscribers to the new platform. Unisys will continue its role as a valued technology provider to EMBARQ in 2007 by working with the company to enhance its offerings through the implementation of advanced calling features and further improvements to the messaging service.

For more information, see the press release EMBARQ Launches Next Generation Value-Added Services with Unisys Communications Solution.

The telephone company Windstream says it will highlight the safety and security of landline phones as part of its second Green Truck Tour while also promoting its local telephone, broadband and digital TV products and services.

The tour features two 1953 green vintage pickup trucks seen in Windstream advertising and will launch April 24 in Prague, Oklahoma, and in Kerrville, Texas, April 25. The tour runs through the end of October with more than 65 tour stops in 13 states.

Windstream announced it will also contribute $100,000 to local public safety and community groups to purchase items such as safety gear, equipment and educational materials, in addition to items that reinforce the "Your Landline is Your Lifeline" safety message.

"The Green Truck Tour was incredibly successful last year in introducing our new company to consumers and building brand awareness," said Ric Crane, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Windstream. "Customers had an overwhelming positive response to the tour. So we're putting more gas in the tank and increasing the number of appearances at local events and fairs this year, and we will use this creative event marketing concept to drive home the message that "your landline is your lifeline" and the most reliable connection to emergency services."

Windstream says it provides quality digital local and long-distance connections that wireless and Internet phone service providers cannot match. Landline phones provide 99.99 percent reliable connections to emergency services even during power outages and pinpoint the exact location of a home or business to emergency responders.

"Windstream customers do not have to worry about dropping a call on their home phone," Crane said. "Landlines are reliable, safe and secure, and we will be promoting those benefits on the tour and providing other important consumer information, including 9-1-1 and Internet safety tips, for children and families."

The company invites consumers to bring their families to see the truck and experience a fun day of interactive games and prizes during the tour stops.

For the latest information on the Green Truck Tour and its schedule, check out the Windstream press release.

Verizon says it is stepping up its efforts to conserve energy and protect the environment and offering its customers convenient ways to do the same. Among the efforts are a Verizon Business tree-planting program to encourage large-business customers to sign up for paper-free billing, and a Verizon Telecom plan to add 100 energy-efficient hybrid-engine sedans to its fleet of service vehicles.

These programs complement the current initiatives through which Verizon is conserving energy and protecting environmental resources while also benefiting the community. They include Verizon Wireless' Hopeline® program, which recycles no-longer-used cell phones to help victims of domestic violence; reducing the consumption of electricity by removing obsolete network equipment in more than 400 Verizon facilities nationwide; and an industrywide effort, organized by Verizon, to investigate methods of measuring and reducing electrical power consumption in voice and data communications networks.

"It's increasingly important to find ways to make environmental conservation everyone's business," said Tom Tauke, executive vice president - public affairs, policy and communications. "Verizon is committed to living up to our responsibility and tradition of identifying opportunities and best practices that will make good business sense for our company, society and the planet."

Verizon says it makes it easier for everyone to go green by offering consumers, businesses, education and government agencies advanced phone, broadband, video, wireless and IP products and services that help conserve natural resources and improve productivity. They site products like Verizon FiOS direct fiber connections, Verizon Wireless VCast and Verizon Business global collaboration services like audio, Web and video conferencing, as well as secure e-mail and instant messaging, as ways to reduce the need for travel and help people stay connected.

For more information, check out the Verizon press release.

Qwest Communications and the Colorado Rockies announced last week they have renewed their sponsorship agreement. Qwest will continue to sponsor the team through the 2007 season.

The agreement includes Qwest's support for local Rockies charities and community events in Colorado. Qwest will present the "Qwest Make an Impact: Rockies School Rally" program in which Rockies representatives, players and team mascot Dinger will visit schools with low-income, at-risk students. The program was developed to encourage students to stay in school, refuse drugs and lead strong, motivated lives.

Qwest will also present "Qwest Military Appreciation Day" at a future Rockies home game, during which fans may e-mail troops serving overseas. In addition, Qwest provides communications services for Coors Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies. Coors Field uses Qwest's voice and data systems in the Rockies office headquarters and other areas within the ballpark.

"Qwest is a valued partner of the Colorado Rockies," said Greg Feasel, senior vice president of business operations for the Colorado Rockies. "We are very happy to continue our relationship with Qwest, and to feature the best choice for communications services to Colorado's baseball players, fans and community."

New this season, Qwest will offer fans the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the team. Beginning in May, fans will have the opportunity to win a prize pack that includes tickets to an upcoming Rockies home game, autographed merchandise or other unique baseball experiences. Once the promotion launches, Qwest advertising will let fans know how to enter.

"Qwest is proud to be a part of the Rockies team, and to promote community programs that help bring more baseball to fans' lives," said Chuck Ward, Qwest's Colorado state president. "We see this sponsorship as a win for the Rockies, for Qwest and for Colorado's communities, and we wish the team continued success throughout the 2007 season."

For more information, check out the Qwest press release.

A recent Red Herring article suggests that Vonage and rival start-up VoIP companies are facing stiff competition from cable companies like Comcast and Time Warner Cable who are poised to dominate the market with digital phone service. While VoIP companies continue to struggle with consumer perception and patent disputes involving Vonage, cable companies control a combined 71 percent of the U.S. VoIP market, nearly 10 million customers.

According to the article, Time Warner Cable digital phone has 21.1 percent of the U.S. VoIP market, while Comcast Digital Voice® owns 19.9 percent, putting them well within the range of Vonage. Cable companies now provide service to 80 million U.S. homes, up from 33 million just two years ago, according to Bruce Leichtman of Leichtman Research. He estimates that Comcast will reach 10 million more homes in 2007, while Time Warner Cable will add 6.4 million customers.

Spring is here, and with the warmer weather comes an increase in construction activities. EMBARQ reminds the construction industry, gardeners or anyone working in their own yard to protect their communities by calling their local one-call agency before digging or disrupting the ground in any way.

"We typically see an increase in cable cuts during the spring months," said Jim Hansen, senior vice president of Network Services at EMBARQ. "We'd like to remind everyone to call before they dig or disturb the ground in any way. That includes such minor things as putting up a fence all the way to the construction of a new office building. If a cable is cut, it can disrupt emergency communications services and put people at risk."

Each year there are thousands of cable cuts affecting communications companies across the country. Due to the robust nature of the EMBARQ network, often customers are unaware when a cut occurs. But when there is a cut, the company mobilizes its technicians into action to quickly fix the cable to keep any impact at a minimum.

In addition, someone digging could hit an electric cable which could result in injury or even death. "Imagine," said Hansen, "cutting a cable while installing a mailbox and disrupting 911 service to themselves and their neighbors, putting entire communities at risk."

Usually communications cables are marked with orange warning signs, but residents and construction companies should call even if these signs aren't immediately noticeable.

"By calling before you dig, anyone disturbing the ground in any way can protect themselves from physical harm, potential litigation and will protect the community from a disruption of 911 emergency services," said Hansen. "Always call before you dig."

For a complete listing of EMBARQ serving areas and the appropriate call before you dig numbers, read the EMBARQ press release.

Last month, Qwest Communications announced that customers in South Dakota's Black Hills area can now call anywhere in the area without paying long-distance charges. The addition of toll-free calling became effective in early February for Qwest residential customers. Qwest business customers will enjoy toll-free calling later this month.

"This is a great day for Qwest customers in one of South Dakota's most acclaimed areas," said Larry Toll, Qwest state president for South Dakota. "Our customers asked for this service, and I'm glad we're able to do this."

The new toll-free calling comes at no additional cost to either residential or business customers. Only Qwest local service customers in the Black Hills area—Bell Fourche, Deadwood, Hill City, Lead, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis and Whitewood—are affected by the change. Customers are still required to dial "1" plus the ten-digit number, but will incur no toll charges on their monthly bills.

For more information, check out the Qwest press release.

According to an article from CNET News last month, Internet phone providers got a boost when federal regulators ruled that local telephone companies must connect Net-based calls over broadband lines owned by phone companies like Sprint Nextel and Verizon Communications.

The article explains that a 16-page order from the Federal Communications Commission overturned decisions by state regulators in South Carolina and Nebraska that had prevented Time Warner Cable from deploying its digital phone service. Time Warner Cable had petitioned the FCC regarding the issue about a year ago.

"Our decision will enhance consumers' choice for phone service by making clear that cable and other VoIP providers must be able to use local phone numbers and be allowed to put calls through to other phone networks," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said.

VON Coalition, a VoIP industry group that supported Time Warner Cable's petition, was also quoted regarding FCC's decision, stating it was "broadly beneficial to the entire VoIP industry."

"The problems that Time Warner faced in South Carolina and Nebraska were not isolated," Jim Kohlenberger, the coalition's executive director, said in an e-mailed statement. "They threatened the competitive availability of VoIP services overall, and they effectively created 'digital divides' between those Americans who can enjoy the full potential of broadband and those who cannot."

For more information, read the full CNET article.

Comcast announced last month that it has surpassed the two million-customer milestone for Comcast Digital Voice®, the company's innovative home phone service. The company celebrated the occasion by awarding Comcast customer Shelly Nix, of Wayne, Michigan with a "Digital Home Makeover" and other great prizes. Ms. Nix was identified as the two millionth customer to sign on for Comcast Digital Voice.

"People are discovering the tremendous savings gained by selecting Comcast Digital Voice over traditional carriers such as AT&T," said Dave Buhl, Region Senior Vice President, Comcast Michigan. "Reaching the two millionth customer right here in Michigan is a testament to the popularity of Comcast Digital Voice in this state. We know that as more customers compare costs, value and our superior technology they too will make the switch to Comcast Digital Voice."

Surpassing two million Comcast Digital Voice customers underscores the record growth Comcast continues to experience. Comcast advertises the service a less expensive, fully featured, reliable digital-quality home phone service replacement for customers' plain old telephone service. The company feels Comcast Digital Voice stands out because calls originate and travel over Comcast's advanced, proprietary managed network, unlike best effort Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offerings that run on the public Internet.

For more information on the milestone, check out the Comcast press release.

Charter Communications recently announced that it has reached a significant milestone—500,000 Charter Telephone&trade customers.

The achievement was accomplished in a relatively short period of time; primarily during the past year when Charter undertook an aggressive rollout of telephone services.

Charter Telephone has more than quadrupled its number of customers since the beginning of 2006. Today it passes more than 6.8 million homes, and Charter plans to launch phone service in more markets this year.

The milestone underscores the growth Charter has been experiencing with its triple-play bundle of services: Charter Digital™ Video, Charter High-Speed™ and Charter Telephone

"More than seven out of 10 of our Telephone customers subscribe to all three services," said Ted Schremp, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Charter Telephone.

"Charter Telephone gives customers a new and better choice for phone service, and when combined with other Charter services, the great value and convenience is undeniable" said Mr. Schremp.

Charter Telephone offers customers an unlimited local and long distance calling plan for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, which includes 10 features and voicemail at no additional charge. In certain markets, Charter Telephone has successfully launched a plan that includes unlimited calling to Mexico. Charter Telephone service is provisioned over a private, managed network, unlike offerings that run on the public Internet.

"We want to thank each of our 500,000 customers who have helped us achieve this milestone," said Mr. Schremp. "They appreciated a new choice in phone service and trust us to keep them connected with a comprehensive range of advanced communications services."

For more information, check out the Charter press release.

RCN recently announced that Consolidated Operator Services, a U.S. based telecommunications provider, is now its new directory service assistance provider.

Through RCN's new partnership with Consolidated Operator Services, RCN phone customers can dial 411, 555-1212 or area code plus 555-1212 and receive accurate business, residential or government telephone listings from efficient and courteous directory assistance representatives.

"Our decision to evaluate our existing directory assistance service originated from customer requests," said Mark Chinn, RCN's VP of product and pricing. "RCN's efforts to improve our customers' experience in all areas of our business ultimately resulted in our transition to Consolidated Operator Services."

"Consolidated Operator Services is excited to be RCN's new directory assistance provider", said Rick Hall, vice president and general manager. "We are very pleased that our high-quality service is a such a good fit for RCN."

Call completion assistance is offered after a listing has been provided, and Spanish-speaking operators are also available.

Read more about RCN digital phone service.