“The FCC’s approval is a significant and exciting milestone toward completing the merger. It has been a rigorous review process and we are pleased to have the FCC’s approval and recognition that the combination of CenturyTel and Embarq offers many benefits to our customers and the communities we serve.”

“We have committed to the FCC that we will remain focused on infrastructure development and broadband deployment after completion of the merger. Our combined company is committed to investing in our communities and providing our customers high-quality, reliable communications and expanded broadband services.”

The respective statements of CenturyTel CEO Glen F. Post III and Embarq CEO Tom Gerke on Thursday’s FCC approval of the merger of the two companies.

“The telephone excise tax is particularly unfair and regressive because it targets those least able to afford it – lower income, disabled, and older Americans and families who rely solely on landlines for communications. By eliminating the 3% federal telephone tax, we can cut taxes for many Americans by more than $1.2 billion over the next decade.”

Comments of Virginia Democratic Congressman Gerry Connolly who is one of four federal lawmakers who unveiled HR 3011, the “Telephone Excise Tax Repeal Act of 2009” on Wednesday. The levy was eliminated for the long distance portion of phone bills in May of 2006 after years of litigation with the U.S. Treasury Department. However, the tax is still being applied to local phone calls.

To read more from the 6/26/09 Friday Report click here.