What is The Future of CenturyLink?

Reports last week the CenturyLink, one of the nation's largest incumbent telephone companies, is examining the future of its consumer business has investors spooked and industry analysts polishing their crystal balls.

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During a first quarter earnings call with investors last week, CenturyLink CEO Jeff Storey reported that the company has enlisted advisors to assist the company in a strategic review of the company’s consumer business. "Let me be clear, we’re early in what I expect to be a lengthy and complex process,” said Story, who also noted that the company will not be altering operations or changing its investment plans during the review.

CenturyLink has seen declining revenue from consumer services - telephone and broadband services to residential and small business customers - over the past several years, which revenues from enterprise and wholesale operations. It's unclear whether CenturyLink might look to spin-off its consumer services and sell to another operator, but the situation bears watching, especially in areas where CenturyLink is one of the few (if only) choices for consumer broadband access.