8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 13, 2020

CenturyLink, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Louisiana	001-7784	72-0651161
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

100 CenturyLink Drive Monroe, Louisiana	71203
(Address of registrants’ principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Qwest Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Colorado	001-03040	84-0273800
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

100 CenturyLink Drive Monroe, Louisiana	80021
(Address of registrant’s principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrants’ 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 obligations 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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Registrant	Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
CenturyLink, Inc.	Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share	LUMN	New York Stock Exchange
CenturyLink, Inc.	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights	N/A	New York Stock Exchange
Qwest Corporation	6.125% Notes Due 2053	CTY	New York Stock Exchange
Qwest Corporation	6.625% Notes Due 2055	CTZ	New York Stock Exchange
Qwest Corporation	7.00% Notes Due 2056	CTAA	New York Stock Exchange
Qwest Corporation	6.5% Notes Due 2056	CTBB	New York Stock Exchange
Qwest Corporation	6.75% Notes Due 2057	CTDD	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On October 13, 2020, Lumen Technologies* issued a press release announcing that its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, Qwest Corporation (“Qwest”), issued notices to redeem the remaining $160 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of Qwest’s 6.625% Notes due 2055 (the “Qwest Notes”) on October 9, 2020.

That press release is filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full. This Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the Qwest Notes.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical and factual information, the matters set forth in this Current Report on Form 8-K identified by words such as “will,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements as defined by the federal securities laws, and are subject to the “safe harbor” protections thereunder. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are based on current expectations only, and are subject to various uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated by us in those statements for several reasons, including those discussed in Exhibits 99.1. We may change our intentions or plans discussed in our forward-looking statements without notice at any time and for any reason.

*The Lumen brand was launched on September 14, 2020. As a result, CenturyLink, Inc. is referred to as Lumen Technologies, or simply Lumen. The legal name CenturyLink, Inc. is expected to be formally changed to Lumen Technologies, Inc. upon the completion of all applicable requirements.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits:

Exhibit No.	Description
4.1	Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2015, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 of Qwest Corporation’s Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2015).
99.1	Press Release dated October 13, 2020, announcing the issuance notices to redeem the Qwest Notes.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL in Exhibit 101).

1

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, CenturyLink, Inc. and Qwest Corporation have duly caused this Current Report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned officer hereunto duly authorized.

CENTURYLINK, INC.
By:	/s/ Eric J. Mortensen
	Eric J. Mortensen
	Senior Vice President and Controller
QWEST CORPORATION
By:	/s/ Eric J. Mortensen
	Eric J. Mortensen
	Senior Vice President and Controller

Dated: October 13, 2020

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

NEWS RELEASE

Lumen Technologies Announces Issuances of Notices to Redeem Qwest Corporation Notes

DENVER, Oct. 13, 2020 – Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN) announced today that Qwest Corporation, its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary (“Qwest”), issued notices to redeem the remaining $160 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of its 6.625% Notes due 2055 (the “Qwest Notes”) on Oct. 9, 2020.

Pursuant to these notices, on Oct. 26, 2020, the remaining $160 million outstanding principal amount of the Qwest Notes will be redeemed at par plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. Additional information regarding the redemption of the Qwest Notes is available from U.S. Bank National Association.

This press release does not constitute a notice of redemption with respect to the Qwest Notes.

About Lumen Technologies

Lumen is guided by our belief that humanity is at its best when technology advances the way we live and work. With approximately 450,000 route fiber miles and serving customers in more than 60 countries, we deliver the fastest, most secure platform for applications and data to help businesses, government and communities deliver amazing experiences.

Learn more about Lumen’s network, edge cloud, security, communication and collaboration solutions and our purpose to further human progress through technology at news.lumen.com, LinkedIn: /lumentechnologies, Twitter: @lumentechco, Facebook: /lumentechnologies, Instagram: @lumentechnologies and YouTube: /lumentechnologies. Lumen and Lumen Technologies are registered trademarks of Lumen Technologies LLC in the United States. Lumen Technologies LLC is a wholly-owned affiliate of CenturyLink Inc.

* The Lumen brand was launched on Sept. 14, 2020. As a result, CenturyLink Inc. is referred to as Lumen Technologies, or simply Lumen. The legal name CenturyLink Inc. is expected to be formally changed to Lumen Technologies, Inc. upon the completion of all applicable requirements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical and factual information, the matters set forth in this release and other of our oral or written statements identified by words such as “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are based on current expectations only, are inherently speculative, and are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to: changes in Qwest’s cash requirements or financial position; unanticipated delays in redeeming our outstanding debt securities as described above; changes in general market, economic, tax, regulatory or industry conditions; corporate developments that could preclude, impair or delay the above-described transactions due to restrictions under the federal securities laws; and other risks referenced from time to time in Lumen Technologies or Qwest’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You should be aware that new factors may emerge from time to time and it is not possible for Lumen Technologies or Qwest to identify all such factors, nor can Lumen Technologies or Qwest predict the impact of each such factor on its plans, or the extent to which any one or more factors may cause actual results to differ from those reflected in any of their forward-looking statements. For all the reasons set forth above and in our SEC filings, you are cautioned not to unduly rely upon our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise. Furthermore, any information about our intentions contained in any of our forward-looking statements reflects our intentions as of the date of such forward-looking statement, and is based upon, among other things, existing regulatory, technological, industry, competitive, economic and market conditions, and our assumptions as of such date. We may change our intentions, strategies or plans (including our plans expressed herein) without notice at any time and for any reason.

Media Contact:	Investor Contact:
Jeremy Jones	Mark Stoutenberg
Jeremy.Jones@lumen.com	Mark.Stoutenberg@lumen.com
+1 720-567-7044	+1 720-888-1662

page 2 of 2

Services not available everywhere. Business customers only. Lumen may change, cancel or substitute products and services, or vary them by service area at its sole discretion without notice. ©2020 Lumen Technologies. All Rights Reserved.

XML

Cover Page	Oct. 13, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CenturyLink, Inc.
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000018926
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Oct. 13, 2020
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	LA
Entity File Number	001-7784
Entity Tax Identification Number	72-0651161
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 CenturyLink Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Monroe
Entity Address, State or Province	LA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	71203
City Area Code	318
Local Phone Number	388-9000
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
Trading Symbol	LUMN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Preferred Stock [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
No Trading Symbol Flag	true
Qwest Corporation [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Qwest Corporation
Entity Central Index Key	0000068622
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CO
Entity File Number	001-03040
Entity Tax Identification Number	84-0273800
Entity Address, Address Line One	100 CenturyLink Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Monroe
Entity Address, State or Province	LA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	80021
City Area Code	318
Local Phone Number	388-9000
6.125% Notes Due 2053 [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.125% Notes Due 2053
Trading Symbol	CTY
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.625% Notes Due 2055 [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.625% Notes Due 2055
Trading Symbol	CTZ
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
7.00% Notes Due 2056 [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	7.00% Notes Due 2056
Trading Symbol	CTAA
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.5% Notes Due 2056 [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.5% Notes Due 2056
Trading Symbol	CTBB
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
6.75% Notes Due 2057 [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	6.75% Notes Due 2057
Trading Symbol	CTDD
Security Exchange Name	NYSE