EXHIBIT 23.1


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT





The Board of Directors
CenturyTel, Inc.:


We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No.
333-64992) on Form S-8 of CenturyTel, Inc. of our report dated June 21, 2002
relating to the statements of net assets available for benefits of CenturyTel,
Inc. Union Group Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the
related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year
ended December 31, 2001, and related financial statement schedule as of December
31, 2001, which report appears in the December 31, 2001 annual report on Form
11-K of CenturyTel, Inc. Union Group Incentive Plan.



KPMG LLP

/s/ KPMG LLP

Shreveport, Louisiana
June 28, 2002