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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 ERPd2L6r5htTbmdyBRc+vtvr3VF9B6mgM9JHa+k06NyTT4dyG8drlb86IuaPWJr/
 5J7XtDa9erHIc/vj1EdZ5A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>9999999995-08-003749.txt : 20081223
<SEC-HEADER>9999999995-08-003749.hdr.sgml : 20081223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081223001516
ACCESSION NUMBER:		9999999995-08-003749
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	EFFECT
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081223
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20081222

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTURYTEL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000018926
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813]
		IRS NUMBER:				720651161
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			LA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		EFFECT
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-155521
		FILM NUMBER:		081265427

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 4065
		STREET 2:		100 CENTURYTEL DR
		CITY:			MONROE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			71203
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3183889000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 CENTURYTEL DR
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 4065
		CITY:			MONROE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			71203

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CENTURY TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CENTRAL TELEPHONE & ELECTRONICS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19720512
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EFFECT
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <effectiveData>
        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2008-12-22</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <finalEffectivenessDispTime>13:00:00</finalEffectivenessDispTime>
        <form>S-4</form>
        <filer>
            <cik>0000018926</cik>
            <entityName>CENTURYTEL INC</entityName>
            <fileNumber>333-155521</fileNumber>
        </filer>
    </effectiveData>
</edgarSubmission>
</XML>
</TEXT>
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