Embarq
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA former United States telecommunications company created from Sprint Nextel's local telephone operations and acquired by CenturyTel in 2009.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Embarq was a United States telecommunications company formed in 2006 when Sprint Nextel separated its local telecommunications operations into an independent business. It inherited a substantial incumbent local-exchange-carrier footprint built through the historical United Telephone, United Telecommunications, Sprint, and Centel businesses. Based in Overland Park, Kansas, Embarq served residential and business customers across a large regional network in the United States and was described as the country's largest independent local exchange carrier below the former Baby Bell companies. The company's principal activities were traditional landline telephone service, long-distance calling, broadband internet access, business data connectivity, and selected wireless and television-related offerings. Its landline business was based largely on plain-old telephone service, supplemented by features such as caller identification, call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, three-way calling, and anonymous-call rejection. Embarq also sold domestic long-distance plans, including unlimited direct-dial calling options, and attempted to increase customer retention through bundled services and consolidated monthly billing. Broadband was an important growth area. Embarq deployed ADSL across much of its territory, with available speeds depending on line conditions and local network investment. It introduced a 10 megabit-per-second tier in Las Vegas in 2007 and expanded that offering across its footprint beginning in 2008. In selected areas, including portions of Nevada, North Carolina, and Florida, the company also used fiber-to-the-premises infrastructure. Embarq supplied or resold television programming through a relationship with DISH Network and explored an IPTV product referred to as Embarq TV. The latter initiative became part of the foundation for television services later developed under CenturyLink. The company also operated business wireless services as a mobile virtual network operator using Sprint PCS infrastructure and CDMA technology. Internet customers initially received EarthLink-related services in some markets before Embarq migrated customers to its own Myembarq.com and Embarqmail services. These offerings reflected the company's effort to move beyond declining legacy voice revenue and become a broader communications provider. Embarq's independent existence was brief. On October 27, 2008, CenturyTel announced an all-stock agreement to acquire the company in a transaction valued at approximately $11.6 billion when assumed debt was included. The transaction closed on July 1, 2009. The combined company adopted the CenturyLink name, and the Embarq brand was replaced during October 2009. CenturyLink later became known as Lumen Technologies. Consequently, Embarq is a defunct brand and corporate entity rather than an operating telecommunications provider today. During its short life, Embarq also attracted criticism over a trial involving NebuAd, a behavioral-advertising technology that analyzed internet browsing activity to support targeted advertising. The program raised privacy and legal concerns and drew congressional attention. Embarq said the arrangement had been a trial and later stated that it was not then using NebuAd for behavioral targeting. The episode illustrates the regulatory and reputational risks faced by internet service providers as they sought new advertising and data-monetization models.
History
Embarq's history was rooted in the evolution of independent telephone companies that competed with or operated outside the Bell System. C. L. Brown established the Brown Telephone Company in Abilene, Kansas, and expanded it through acquisitions. In 1911, those operations were consolidated under the United Telephone Company name. After financial difficulties and a bankruptcy reorganization, the business became United Utilities in 1938. It later adopted the name United Telecommunications in 1972 as its local telephone operations expanded through parts of the Midwest and South. United Telecommunications diversified beyond local voice service. Its information-systems businesses included hosted business and database applications, while its Uninet operation entered the national X.25 data-services market in 1980. The company also pursued long-distance communications, acquiring ISACOMM in 1981 and US Telephone in 1984. These activities eventually connected United's local-exchange heritage with the developing Sprint long-distance network. The Sprint lineage began with Southern Pacific Communications Company, a communications unit of Southern Pacific Railroad. The railroad had extensive microwave and fiber infrastructure along its rights of way and began commercializing communications capacity. Following regulatory and legal developments that permitted broader competition in long-distance telephone service, the company developed the SPRINT service. Southern Pacific Communications became part of GTE in 1982 and operated as GTE Sprint. In 1986, GTE Sprint was combined with GTE Telenet, US Telecom, Uninet, and ISACOMM to form US Sprint, owned by GTE and United Telecom. United acquired control in 1989 and completed its acquisition in 1991, after which the company adopted Sprint as its corporate name. United's local and wireless history also contributed to the later Embarq footprint. Its Telespectrum subsidiary entered cellular service in 1983, but the business was sold to Centel in 1988 to help finance United's purchase of additional US Sprint equity. Sprint merged with Centel in 1993, expanding Sprint's local telephone presence to a total of 18 states and returning the company to wireless operations. Sprint subsequently built a nationwide PCS business through spectrum acquisitions and began marketing wireless service under Sprint PCS in 1995. In 2003, Sprint began reorganizing its local, long-distance, wireline, and wireless businesses around a more integrated operating model. Sprint then announced its acquisition of Nextel Communications in December 2004. The transaction closed in August 2005, creating Sprint Nextel. As part of the integration and portfolio restructuring, Sprint Nextel planned to separate its local telecommunications operations from the wireless and national long-distance businesses. The new spin-off was named Embarq. Its name and logo were unveiled in February 2006, and the separation was completed in May 2006. Embarq became an independent local-exchange carrier serving residential and business customers in a large United States regional footprint. Its operations included the former local telephone businesses associated with United Telephone, Carolina Telephone & Telegraph, and Centel. Public descriptions of the footprint vary between 18 and 19 states depending on the date and counting method, but the company was consistently presented as a major independent local carrier below the Baby Bells. Embarq's business model combined mature voice operations with efforts to expand broadband and bundled communications. It sold traditional telephone service, long-distance calling, DSL and selected fiber broadband, business data services, wireless offerings using Sprint PCS infrastructure, and television packages supplied through a DISH Network relationship. The company also tested or planned an IPTV service known as Embarq TV. After the acquisition, related IPTV development continued under CenturyLink and contributed to the later Prism TV offering in selected markets. On October 27, 2008, CenturyTel announced an agreement to acquire Embarq in an all-stock transaction. The announced value was approximately $11.6 billion including the assumption of $5.8 billion in Embarq debt. The transaction closed on July 1, 2009. The combined company selected CenturyLink as its new name, and the transition away from the Embarq identity took place in October 2009. CenturyLink subsequently became Lumen Technologies, ending Embarq's independent corporate and brand history. The company also became part of the public debate over internet privacy. During its independent period, Embarq worked with NebuAd in a trial involving analysis of customers' browsing behavior for targeted advertising. Privacy advocates and lawmakers questioned whether customers had provided meaningful consent and whether such practices were legally appropriate. Congressman Edward Markey sought information from participating providers, including Embarq. The company responded that the NebuAd activity had been a trial and later indicated that it was not currently using the technology for behavioral advertising.
- 2009
Embarq is absorbed into CenturyLink
[1]The acquisition closed in July, and the combined company adopted the CenturyLink name, replacing Embarq later that year.
- 2008
CenturyTel announces acquisition of Embarq
[1]CenturyTel announced an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $11.6 billion including assumed debt.
- 2007
10 megabit broadband tier introduced in Las Vegas
[1]Embarq began offering a 10 Mbps broadband tier in Las Vegas as part of its network and product expansion.
- 2006
Embarq becomes an independent company
[1]Sprint Nextel completed the spin-off of its local telephone division in May, following the public unveiling of the Embarq name earlier in the year.
- 2005
Sprint Nextel is created
[1]Sprint completed its acquisition of Nextel Communications and began preparing to separate its local telecommunications operations.
- 1993
Sprint merges with Centel
[1]The merger expanded Sprint's local telephone presence and restored a significant wireless component to the company's operations.
- 1991
United Telecom completes control of US Sprint
[1]United Telecom completed its acquisition of US Sprint and adopted the Sprint name.
- 1986
US Sprint is formed
[1]GTE Sprint and several data and long-distance operations were combined into US Sprint, jointly owned by GTE and United Telecom.
- 1972
United Utilities becomes United Telecommunications
[1]The company changed its name as its local telephone operations expanded across the Midwest and South.
- 1938
The business becomes United Utilities
[1]After emerging from bankruptcy, United Telephone Company adopted the United Utilities name.
Products and positioning
A regional incumbent telecommunications provider combining legacy local telephone infrastructure with broadband, long-distance, business communications, wireless, and bundled entertainment services.
Landline telecommunications · 2006
Embarq local telephone service
Embarq's core service was traditional fixed-line telephone connectivity inherited from Sprint's local exchange operations. The offering used plain-old telephone service and commonly included caller identification, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, voicemail, and anonymous-call rejection. It served both households and businesses across the company's regional incumbent-carrier territory.
Long-distance telecommunications · 2006
Embarq long-distance service
The company sold a range of long-distance calling plans alongside local service. Options included domestic direct-dial packages and plans designed for customers seeking predictable or unlimited nationwide calling. Long-distance service allowed Embarq to retain elements of Sprint's historical voice business while bundling them with local access and broadband.
Broadband internet · 2006
Embarq high-speed internet
Embarq provided broadband primarily through ADSL, with speeds varying according to network deployment and customer line conditions. The company introduced a 10 Mbps tier in Las Vegas in 2007 and expanded the tier across its footprint beginning in 2008. Fiber-to-the-premises service was also available in selected areas, including parts of Nevada, North Carolina, and Florida.
Television and communications bundles
DISH Network bundles
Through a partnership with DISH Network, Embarq offered satellite television packages that could be combined with qualifying telephone and broadband services. Bundling provided customers with a single bill and discounts for adding multiple services. The relationship continued for some legacy customers after the CenturyLink transaction under grandfathered arrangements.
Wireless telecommunications
Embarq wireless
Embarq operated business wireless services as a mobile virtual network operator. Its handsets primarily used Sprint PCS CDMA infrastructure and could roam on other compatible CDMA networks. The service extended Embarq's communications portfolio beyond fixed-line products without requiring the company to operate a nationwide mobile radio network of its own.
Internet and customer services · 2007
Myembarq.com and Embarqmail
Embarq developed its own online customer-service and email identity as it moved customers away from earlier EarthLink-related arrangements. Beginning in 2007, customers were directed toward Myembarq.com and Embarqmail for account management and email services.
Controversies
NebuAd behavioral-targeting privacy controversy
Embarq participated in a trial involving NebuAd technology intended to analyze customers' internet browsing activity for targeted advertising. The practice prompted privacy and legal criticism and attracted congressional scrutiny, including an inquiry from Congressman Edward Markey. Embarq later described its participation as a trial and said it was not then using NebuAd for behavioral advertising.
Brand decisions
2009
Replace the Embarq identity with CenturyLinkStrategyBackground
The CenturyTel acquisition brought the two regional telecommunications businesses under common ownership.
Action taken
The combined company announced the CenturyLink name in June and implemented the rebrand after closing the transaction.
Aftermath
The Embarq brand disappeared from active commercial use, while related broadband and television initiatives continued under CenturyLink.
2008
Agree to acquisition by CenturyTelM&ABackground
Embarq operated as a regional telecommunications provider while the industry was consolidating around larger wireline and broadband platforms.
Action taken
Embarq agreed to an all-stock acquisition by CenturyTel, announced at approximately $11.6 billion including assumed debt.
Aftermath
The deal closed on July 1, 2009. CenturyTel combined the businesses under the CenturyLink name, ending Embarq's independent existence.
Announced transaction value including assumed debt. $11.6 billion (2008 announcement)
2007
Expand higher-speed broadbandProduct launchBackground
Embarq was attempting to offset reliance on traditional voice service by increasing broadband penetration and speeds.
Action taken
The company introduced a 10 Mbps tier in Las Vegas and began expanding that tier across its wider service area in 2008.
Aftermath
Higher-speed DSL and selected fiber deployments became part of Embarq's broadband modernization strategy.
2006
Spin off Sprint Nextel's local telecommunications operationsStrategyBackground
After the Sprint and Nextel combination, the company sought to separate its local exchange operations from its wireless and national long-distance businesses.
Action taken
Sprint Nextel created Embarq as an independent company and transferred its local telephone operations into the new entity.
Aftermath
Embarq began operating independently in May 2006 as a large regional local-exchange carrier.
Sources1 sources
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