Verizon To Complete Sale of Local Telephone Properties in Alabama to CenturyTel on June 30

DOTHAN, Ala. - Verizon Communications expects to complete the sale of approximately 300,000 lines serving 90 exchanges in Alabama to CenturyTel on
June 30. The sales agreement was originally announced on Oct. 22, 2001.

Under the terms of the agreement, CenturyTel will assume ownership of all Verizon local telephone exchanges in Alabama. On July 1, approximately 430 Verizon employees in Alabama will become employees of CenturyTel.

The sale will have no impact on customers' local telephone service. All local telephone customer accounts will automatically transfer to CenturyTel, and customers will receive bills from CenturyTel beginning around July 5.

Verizon will continue to offer long-distance, wireless, dial-up Internet and directory services in Alabama.

The following are Verizon exchanges in Alabama acquired by CenturyTel:
Abbeville, Alberta, Aliceville, Andalusia, Ariton, Ashland, Banks, Bayou La Batre, Berry, Brantley, Brilliant, Brundidge, Carrollton, Chulafinnee, Clio, Coffeeville, Columbia, Daleville, Duaphin Island, Delta, Detroit, Dothan, Double Springs, Dozier, Echo, Elba, Enterprise, Ethelsville, Falkville, Fayette, Forest Home, Fowl River, Gantt, Geneva, Georgiana, Gordo, Grand Bay, Greenville, Guin, Hackleburg, Haleyville, Hamilton, Hartford, Headland, Heflin, Irvington, Jemison, Kinston, Lecta, Lincoln, Lineville, Louisville, Luverne, Massey, McKenzie, Mentone, Midland City, Morrisons Cross Roads, New Brockton, Newton, Newville, Notasulga, Oden Ridge, Opp, Orrville, Ozark, Panola, Pell City, Phil Campbell, Pine Hill, Red Level, Reform, Rockford, Samson, Scottsboro, Section, Skyline, Slocomb, Surfside, Sulligent, Tallassee, Thorsby, Trussville, Valley Head, Vernon, Wadley, Wedowee, Wicksburg, Winfield, Woodland.

For a brief period after July 1, customers in Alabama can continue to call the former Verizon numbers for repair, billing, residential and business services, and the calls will be transferred to CenturyTel customer service representatives.

Verizon Communications

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 133.8 million access line equivalents and approximately 29.6 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and nearly 248,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com

CenturyTel, Inc.

CenturyTel, Inc. provides communications services including local exchange, wireless, long distance, Internet access and data services to more than three million customers in 21 states. The company, headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CTL. CenturyTel is the 8th largest local exchange telephone company, based on access lines, in the United States. For more information about CenturyTel, visit www.centurytel.com.

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