<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!-- Generated by Fujitsu XWand B0126 -->
<!--Created by EDGARizerX-->
<xs:schema targetNamespace="http://centurylink.com/20100331" elementFormDefault="qualified" xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:ctl="http://centurylink.com/20100331" xmlns:us-types="http://xbrl.us/us-types/2009-01-31" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt">
  <xs:annotation>
    <xs:appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctl-20100331_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctl-20100331_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctl-20100331_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="ctl-20100331_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase"/>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/StatementsOfOperations" id="StatementsOfOperations">
        <link:definition>001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfOperations" id="ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfOperations">
        <link:definition>001010 - Statement - PARENTHETICAL DATA TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/StatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" id="StatementsOfComprehensiveIncome">
        <link:definition>002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" id="ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome">
        <link:definition>002010 - Statement - PARENTHETICAL DATA TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/StatementsOfFinancialPosition" id="StatementsOfFinancialPosition">
        <link:definition>003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfFinancialPosition" id="ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfFinancialPosition">
        <link:definition>003010 - Statement - PARENTHETICAL DATA TO THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/StatementsOfCashFlows" id="StatementsOfCashFlows">
        <link:definition>004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfCashFlows" id="ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfCashFlows">
        <link:definition>004010 - Statement - PARENTHETICAL DATA TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/StatementsOfShareholdersEquity" id="StatementsOfShareholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>005000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfShareholdersEquity" id="ParentheticalDataToStatementsOfShareholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>005010 - Statement - PARENTHETICAL DATA TO THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/BasisOfFinancialReporting" id="BasisOfFinancialReporting">
        <link:definition>006010 - Disclosure - Basis of Financial Reporting</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/Acquisitions" id="Acquisitions">
        <link:definition>006020 - Disclosure - Embarq Acquisition</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets" id="GoodwillAndOtherIntangibleAssets">
        <link:definition>006040 - Disclosure - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/PostretirementBenefits" id="PostretirementBenefits">
        <link:definition>006050 - Disclosure - Postretirement Benefits</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/DefinedBenefitRetirementPlans" id="DefinedBenefitRetirementPlans">
        <link:definition>006060 - Disclosure - Defined Benefit Retirement Plans</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/StockBasedCompensation" id="StockBasedCompensation">
        <link:definition>006070 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/IncomeTaxes" id="IncomeTaxes">
        <link:definition>006080 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/BusinessSegments" id="BusinessSegments">
        <link:definition>006090 - Disclosure - Business Segments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/RecentAccountingPronouncements" id="RecentAccountingPronouncements">
        <link:definition>006100 - Disclosure - Recent Accounting Pronouncements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies" id="CommitmentsAndContingencies">
        <link:definition>006110 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/SubsequentEvent" id="SubsequentEvent">
        <link:definition>006120 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://centurylink.com/role/PendingAcquisitionOfQwest" id="PendingAcquisitionOfQwest">
        <link:definition>006030 - Disclosure - Pending Acquisition of Qwest</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </xs:appinfo>
  </xs:annotation>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009-01-31" schemaLocation="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-gaap-2009-01-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.us/dei/2009-01-31" schemaLocation="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/non-gaap/dei-2009-01-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.us/us-gaap/negated/2008-03-31" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2008-03-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2004/ref" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2004/ref-2004-08-10.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.us/us-types/2009-01-31" schemaLocation="http://taxonomies.xbrl.us/us-gaap/2009/elts/us-types-2009-01-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:element name="InterexchangeCarriersAndOtherAllowance" id="ctl_InterexchangeCarriersAndOtherAllowance" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant"/>
  <xs:element name="NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract" id="ctl_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract" type="xbrli:stringItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes" id="ctl_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedTaxes" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentAssetsAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesNet" id="ctl_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentAssetsAndOtherCurrentLiabilitiesNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentAssets" id="ctl_IncreaseDecreaseInNoncurrentAssets" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="IncreaseDecreaseInOtherNoncurrentLiabilities" id="ctl_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherNoncurrentLiabilities" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="OtherNet" id="ctl_OtherNet" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="PaymentsOfDebt" id="ctl_PaymentsOfDebt" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="ReclassificationAdjustmentForGainIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax" id="ctl_ReclassificationAdjustmentForGainIncludedInNetIncomeNetOfTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="ReclassificationAdjustmentForGainIncludedInNetIncomeTax" id="ctl_ReclassificationAdjustmentForGainIncludedInNetIncomeTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="AmortizationOfNetActuarialLossNetOfTax" id="ctl_AmortizationOfNetActuarialLossNetOfTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="AmortizationOfNetActuarialLossTax" id="ctl_AmortizationOfNetActuarialLossTax" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="IssuanceOfCommonStockThroughDividendReinvestmentIncentiveAndBenefitPlans" id="ctl_IssuanceOfCommonStockThroughDividendReinvestmentIncentiveAndBenefitPlans" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="SharesWithheldToSatisfyTaxWithholdings" id="ctl_SharesWithheldToSatisfyTaxWithholdings" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
  <xs:element name="PendingAcquisitionOfQwest" id="ctl_PendingAcquisitionOfQwest" type="us-types:textBlockItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
</xs:schema>
