Carolina Newswire

Embarq highlights key milestones during past year
Posted: 01-29-2007 :

WAKE FOREST, N.C. -- Since its May 17, 2006, separation from Sprint Nextel, Embarq Corporation has emerged as an innovative provider of communications solutions.

During its first six months as a stand-alone company, EMBARQ introduced its residential and business customers to several innovative, common-sense solutions to help meet their daily telecommunications needs. These solutions are part of the company’s complete lineup of communications and entertainment services including local and long distance, data, high-speed Internet, wireless, and DISH Network® television services.

“In just a few months, we have delivered many ‘firsts’ to the U. S. telecom market,” said Dan Hesse, EMBARQ chairman and CEO. “Customers want their products and services to work together, and this is the kind of practical innovation we intend to bring them.”

“EMBARQ has been actively reinventing itself since its split away from Sprint. It is the best of old and new telecom firms,” said Jeff Kagan, telecommunications industry analyst. “They have introduced many innovative new ideas to the marketplace. They have been transforming the company and have been focused on implementing integrated products and services.”

Innovation for consumer customers includes:
  • Simplified high-speed Internet pricing that doesn’t change for as long as the customer has the service, an industry first. Plus, customers pay only for the speeds they need - up to 1.5 mbps, 3.0 mbps or 5.0 mbps.
  • EMBARQ™ One Voicemail that integrates EMBARQ™ wireless voicemail messages with those received on an EMBARQ™ wireline home phone. Customers are notified on both devices when they have a message and can listen to their messages from one integrated mailbox on either device.
  • Up to 25 gigabytes of online storage space free of charge through EMBARQ™ Media SafeSM, another industry first.
  • Entering the home phone entertainment space as the first local telecommunications company to offer its home phone customers unique ringers for their callers to hear. Currently offered through a trial in the Las Vegas market, EMBARQ™ Dial Me! TunesSM allows callers dialing an EMBARQ home phone to hear the music the customer has selected instead of the standard ring.
Innovation for business customers include:
  • EMBARQ™ Smart ConnectSM allows businesses to move calls seamlessly between their wireless and wireline networks – all without interrupting the call. This network service enables businesses to be more accessible, helps reduce wireless costs, and improves coverage and call quality.
  • EMBARQ is the first company in the country to offer EMBARQ™ Smart Connect Plus, enabling calls to automatically move between EMBARQ wireless and on-premise Wi-Fi network, whichever is strongest, without manual transfer of the call.
  • The Business Resource Center (BRC), an innovative online portal (part of embarq.com) designed to provide valuable online content and applications to home-based and small businesses.
Other key milestones include:
  • Activating the company’s one millionth EMBARQTM High-Speed Internet (HSI) subscriber.
  • Redesigning the company’s retail stores with a fresh new look and feel. The number of retail stores grew from 29 stores to 46 during 2006, including new stores in Asheboro, New Bern, Jacksonville, Wake Forest and Fuquay-Varina to go with existing stores in Greenville and Fayetteville. New stores are imminent in Aberdeen, Hope Mills, Rocky Mount and Hickory.
  • DISH Network television services customers doubled in 2006 from 2005.
  • Continuing the company’s focus and commitment to the communities it serves through charitable giving, volunteer work and sponsorships, including recycling efforts, scholarships and other education-related activities. EMBARQ has more than 90 Community Relations Teams of employees in its 18-state service area to help identify and support community projects that truly make a difference.
Commenting on the company’s early performance, Kagan adds, “If we look at their first six months as a stand alone company, I'd say the company looks very promising. They are transforming themselves to provide an even wider range of services for business customers and for consumers.”

About EMBARQ
EMBARQ Corporation (NYSE: EQ), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a complete suite of common sense communications services. The company has approximately 20,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ, which is expected to rank among the Fortune 500, is included in the S&P 500.

For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed Internet, wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network® – all on one monthly bill.

For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated services designed to help businesses of all sizes be more productive and communicate with their customers. This service portfolio includes local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class DSL, wireless, enhanced data network services, voice and data communication equipment and managed network services.

EMBARQ believes that by focusing on the communities the company serves and by employing common sense and practical ingenuity, it is able to provide customers with a committed partner, dedicated customer service and innovative products for work and home. For more information, visit embarq.com.