8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

December 21, 2005

CenturyTel, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana	1-7784	72-0651161
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)

100 CenturyTel Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (318) 388-9000

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240. 14a-12)
[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01.        Other Events

On December 21, 2005, CenturyTel, Inc. issued a press release announcing completion of its previously announced accelerated share repurchase program.  A copy of the press release is included hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.        Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)                Exhibits.

99.1          Press release of CenturyTel, Inc. dated December 21, 2005.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto dulyauthorized.

	CenturyTel, Inc.
Date: December 22, 2005	/s/ Neil A. Sweasy
	Neil A. Sweasy
	Vice President and Controller
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

EX-99

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
December 21, 2005	Media: Patricia Cameron 318.388.9674
	patricia.cameron@centurytel.com
	Investors: Tony Davis 318.388.9525
	tony.davis@centurytel.com

CenturyTel announces completion of Accelerated Share Repurchase program

MONROE, La. … CenturyTel, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) has completed its previously announced accelerated share repurchase program.

On May 31, 2005, CenturyTel entered into accelerated share repurchase agreements with three investment banks under which it repurchased and retired approximately 12.9 million shares of its outstanding common stock, at an average initial price of $32.34 per share. On December 16, 2005, the investment banks completed their repurchase of an equivalent number of shares in the open market and on December 21, 2005, CenturyTel made a cash settlement payment of approximately $21.0 million to the investment banks to complete the program.

With the completion of this program, CenturyTel may now repurchase additional common stock under its $200 million repurchase program announced in February 2005. As of the date of this release, CenturyTel retains authority under this program to purchase approximately $86 million of its shares through February 28, 2006.

CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) delivers advanced communications with a personal touch. The Company, included in the S&P 500 Index, is a leading provider of consumer and business communications solutions in rural areas and small to mid-size cities in 26 states. Visit CenturyTel at www.centurytel.com.