Lumen Technologies, Inc. (LUMN) Business
This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Informational only - not investment advice. See Disclaimer.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Business Overview
We are a leading digital networking services company, empowering enterprise businesses to fuel growth in a multi-cloud, AI-first marketplace by connecting people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly. We are unleashing the world's digital potential by providing a broad array of integrated products and services to our customers. As of December 31, 2025, we had two segments, comprised of our Business segment, serving domestic and global customers, and our Mass Markets segment, serving domestic customers. We operate one of the world’s most interconnected communications networks. Our platform empowers our customers to swiftly adjust digital programs to meet immediate demands, create efficiencies, accelerate market access, and reduce costs, which allows our customers to rapidly evolve their IT programs to address dynamic changes. Our specific products and services are detailed below under the heading “Products and Services.”
On May 21, 2025, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home business in 11 states (the "Territory") to AT&T. On February 2, 2026, we completed our sale of our Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home business in the Territory ("Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home business") to AT&T in exchange for gross cash proceeds of $5.75 billion, subject to post-closing adjustments (the "Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home divestiture").
Our Brands
We conduct our operations under the following brands:
•Lumen: Our flagship brand for serving the enterprise and wholesale markets, including our PCF network architecture, Lumen Digital products, and our priority services including Edge, Network-as-a-Service and cybersecurity;
•CenturyLink: Our long-standing brand for providing primarily mass-marketed copper-based communications services, which we manage for cash flow; and
•Black Lotus Labs: Our cyberthreat research and intelligence arm.
Prior to our Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home divestiture, we operated our fiber-based broadband services to residential and small business customers under Quantum Fiber.
Our Network
With approximately 163,000 fiber on-net buildings and over 340,000 route miles of fiber optic cable globally as of December 31, 2025, we are among the largest providers of communications services to domestic and global enterprise customers. Our terrestrial fiber optic long-haul network throughout North America and Asia Pacific connects to metropolitan fiber networks that we operate.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
Since being incorporated in Louisiana in 1968, we have grown principally through acquisitions, increasing our focus on providing more modern technology and communications services to our customers. Key acquisitions include:
•acquired Embarq Corporation in 2009;
•acquired Qwest Communications International Inc. in 2011; and
•acquired Level 3 Communications, Inc. in 2017.
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Over the past few years we have also made strategic divestitures to position ourselves to grow as a leading digital network services company that delivers ubiquitous, universal connectivity to enterprises. Key divestitures include:
•divested Latin American business and a portion of our incumbent local exchange carrier ("ILEC") business primarily conducted in 20 states in 2022;
•divested our Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("EMEA") business in 2023; and
•Subsequent event — February 2, 2026: divested our Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home business in the Territory to AT&T.
See Note 2 — Divestitures in Item 8 for additional information on these transactions.
We continue to evaluate the possibility of acquiring or divesting assets in exchange for cash, securities or other properties, and at any given time may be engaged in discussions or negotiations regarding such possibilities. We generally do not announce our acquisitions or divestitures until we have entered into a preliminary or definitive agreement.
Strategy
Our strategic goal is to be the trusted provider of network services and to digitally connect people, data, and applications quickly, securely, and effortlessly. To attain this goal, we strive to, among other things:
•deliver best in class physical infrastructure to meet network, transport, data, and computing needs;
•optimize and innovate the way locations, data centers, and clouds connect;
•limit, detect, and mitigate network and data security vulnerabilities;
•expand our product offerings and strengthen our digital self-service ordering platforms;
•create a more adaptive and integrated network;
•continue to monetize our network-related assets, principally through the sale of PCF solutions;
•expand our network capacity through our artificial intelligence ("AI") backbone initiative;
•manage our non-core business for cash flow; and
•strengthen our financial position and performance through our modernization and simplification initiatives, resulting in lower costs and debt reduction.
Our Stakeholders
We believe that regular communications with our stakeholders is a vital component of Lumen's success. Our "North Star" strategy focuses on the operating principles of teamwork, trust, and transparency and infuses clarity into the communications we have with all of our stakeholders, including our investors, employees, customers, vendors, partners, and our local communities.
Employees and Human Capital Resources
To drive growth and success, we’ve strengthened our senior leadership team, modernized our business, and energized our culture. We strive to attract, develop, and retain a workforce that is inspired by strong leadership, engaged in meaningful work, and motivated by career growth opportunities. Our goal is to foster a culture where teamwork, trust, and transparency empower thriving employees to achieve both individual and collective success. We aim to attract broad talent to develop innovative ideas that transform industries worldwide.
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As of December 31, 2025, we employed approximately 24,000 employees globally, including approximately 3,400 outside the U.S.
Attracting, Developing and Retaining Talent
We view talent as a key differentiator and a leading indicator of performance. Our goal is to hire and retain top talent, provide exceptional opportunities for career growth, and uphold fair, transparent hiring practices. To achieve this, we’ve implemented a rigorous hiring process supported by competency-based success profiles and ongoing career development programs. These initiatives empower employees to pursue their professional goals while strengthening engagement and retention.
We invest in broad-based development through:
•skills-building programs and on-demand learning options;
•tuition reimbursement;
•tailored internship and mentoring programs; and
•a suite of leadership development courses.
We also prioritize internal mobility and career visibility and advancement opportunities through enhanced communication platforms and a robust learning ecosystem. We support this culture of growth through a robust learning ecosystem, offering approximately 160,000 courses within our learning management system, including around 8,000 Lumen-specific courses, ensuring employees have the tools to grow and succeed. As we build the backbone for the AI economy, we are committed to making AI learning accessible for all employees through high-quality resources. Our AI Literacy program equips our employees with foundational knowledge of AI, its applications, and its ethical considerations. Developing strong leaders who can drive our company forward remains a top priority.
We gauge the efficacy of our programs, identify opportunities for improvement, and pursue solutions through tracking and analyzing data in a variety of ways, including conducting annual talent reviews and measuring our progress toward goals specified in our talent programs.
Positive Corporate Culture
At Lumen, our goal is to transform our business and deliver value to colleagues, customers, partners, and shareholders. Our employees are the foundation of Lumen's success, and we believe that fostering a winning culture built on diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences, is essential to attracting and retaining engaged talent. We are driving transformation from the ground up by promoting teamwork, trust, and transparency. Our focus remains on recruiting and retaining top talent based on individual merit, creating a respectful and inclusive workplace, and inspiring pride in our shared purpose to unleash the world's digital potential. Guided by our Code of Conduct, we strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity and comply fully with all applicable laws and regulations.
Health and Wellness
At Lumen, our focus is the health, safety, and well-being of our employees, partners, and communities. We continually invest in programs and training to exceed industry safety standards and create an environment where people can thrive. Our programs include:
•industry-leading safety initiatives that set a high benchmark for performance;
•comprehensive benefits supporting physical, mental, and emotional health;
•wellness programs designed to boost engagement, satisfaction, and retention; and
•progressive benefits tailored to the unique needs of employees and their families.
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We regularly evaluate and enhance our offerings to ensure they meet evolving needs. By prioritizing well-being, we strengthen our culture, improve job satisfaction, and support recruiting and retention — helping every employee reach their full potential.
Labor Relations
As of December 31, 2025, approximately 20% of our U.S. workforce was represented by a union, either the Communications Workers of America or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. A small number of our overseas employees are represented by unions or other representative bodies. We respect employees’ rights to organize and work collaboratively with unions, and we strive to maintain collaborative, constructive relationships with the unions, councils and associations that represent our workers. We encourage employees to collaborate directly with their supervisors whenever possible to resolve workplace concerns promptly and effectively.
Customer Success
At Lumen, every customer matters. Our growing base of enterprise customers relies on the quality and reliability of our solutions to achieve their business objectives. Understanding how they use our solutions helps us deliver experiences that support those outcomes.
Our commitment to staying abreast of our customers’ needs is evident through our:
•Lumen Advisory Board: A forum where our major customers meet twice a year to discuss emerging technology trends and shape strategy.
•Lumen Customer Community: An interactive online platform designed exclusively for Lumen customers to connect with each other and access valuable resources.
•Annual customer experience event: A collaborative platform where customers and Lumen engage directly to share feedback, explore emerging technologies, and co-create solutions for the future.
Our customer focus drives strong experiences that are designed to build loyalty and employee engagement. Engaged employees champion innovative solutions.
Feedback drives progress, and we highly value suggestions from both customers and employees. Our digital-first approach empowers customers to configure, order, and rapidly deploy services seamlessly through an all-digital, self-service set of tools.
Partners and Vendors
We leverage a digital connected ecosystem of trusted partners to help us innovate and grow. This ecosystem expands how we design, deliver, and scale solutions to best support our customers' success as the trusted network for AI.
We work with strategic partners to co-innovate and deliver customer-driven solutions that integrate leading technologies, support diverse business and technology needs, and ensure seamless connectivity and interoperability.
To support this model, we rely on a broad range of partners extending AI on ramps with hyperscalers, delivering secure network solutions, and providing essential services such as transmission capacity, software, hardware, and equipment. These relationships are foundational to how we serve customers.
We believe that by building and operating within a connected ecosystem, we accelerate improvement, reduce friction, and increase the value customers realize from our solutions.
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Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability
We believe our sustainability efforts support and promote the financial health of our business and strengthen relationships with our employees, communities, customers, and investors. As we continue to expand digital connections globally, Lumen remains dedicated to minimizing our environmental footprint.
We collaborate cross-functionally to implement our sustainability strategy in partnership with our Board of Directors and senior leadership. We work together to help meet our sustainability goals and regulatory obligations.
Environmental Sustainability Key Focus Areas include:
•Environmental compliance and management: We assess and review our Company programs, operational facilities and waste management vendors. We monitor environmental legislative activity and collaborate with other internal groups to develop documented practices and procedures designed to support compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
•Energy and emissions: In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, we continue to identify and implement energy efficiency and greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions reduction initiatives. We recently announced achievement of our 2018-2025 science-based GHG emissions-reduction targets. To guide the next phase of our sustainability journey, we have set new science-based GHG emissions reduction targets and developed an Energy Efficiency and Innovation Plan. We remain focused on exploring ways to reduce GHG emissions through our operational, customer and employee initiatives.
•Water: Lumen uses the World Resource Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas to assess susceptibility to future water stress across our areas of operation. We strive to reduce our water consumption, especially in water-stressed communities where we operate. We track our usage, monitor trends, and implement measures to enhance efficiency and reduce discharge.
•Waste: We aim to reuse and recycle products, carefully manage our waste and minimize material use throughout our operations. We encourage customers to return their equipment to us, which is then either reused or sent to a certified recycler. This and other programs enable us to divert electronic and communications equipment from landfills.
•Supplier environmental assessment: We expect our suppliers to embrace and share our focus on compliance and sustainability efforts. As reflected in our Supplier Code of Conduct, we expect our suppliers to use reasonable efforts to employ environmentally preferred and energy-efficient services, and to work with their own suppliers to assess and address environmental and sustainability issues within their supply chains.
•Climate preparedness: We evaluate various climate-related risks to our ongoing operations when we consider expanding our network or facilities. Our business continuity program focuses on prevention, collaboration, communication, response and recovery to assist us in quickly resolving disruptive events. Weather events such as severe flooding, wildfires and hurricanes can impact our ability to deliver services, so business resiliency and adaptability are key to the long-term success of our business.
•Occupational health and safety: We conduct risk assessments, review safety incident data and monitor health and safety legislation to develop policies and procedures designed to minimize safety hazards and support compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We continuously monitor safety performance to identify trends and evaluate opportunities reduce the risks of workplace hazards.
Reporting Segments
Our segments and customer-facing sales channels are structured to reflect how we support our customers. This approach enhances transparency into our performance against strategic priorities — driving growth opportunities while effectively managing legacy service declines.
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As of December 31, 2025, we report our financial performance using two segments: Business and Mass Markets. Subsequent to the recently completed sale of our Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home business on February 2, 2026, we anticipate having one reporting segment.
Business Segment
Under our Business Segment, we provide products and services under five sales channels to meet the needs of our enterprise and commercial customers. The five sales channels, organized by customer focus, include:
•Large Enterprise: Large enterprise customers and carriers in North America.
•Mid-Market Enterprise: Medium-sized enterprises in North America, served directly and through indirect channel partners.
•Public Sector: U.S. Federal government, state and local governments, and research and education institutions.
•Wholesale: Other communication companies providing wireline, wireless, cable, voice and data center services.
•International and Other: Multinational and global enterprise customers and carriers, as well as customers under our remaining content delivery network ("CDN") contracts.
By organizing our offerings through these customer-focused sales channels, we streamline operations and deliver targeted solutions.
Mass Markets Segment
Under our Mass Markets segment, we provide products and services to domestic residential and small business customers.
Sales and Marketing
Our Business customers range from small business offices to the world’s largest global enterprise customers. Our enterprise sales and marketing approach focuses on delivering advanced technology and network solutions that address complex customer needs. We strive to make core network services compatible with digital tools and promote sales by leveraging call center teams and channel partners. To meet the needs of diverse customers, we offer both stand-alone and bundled services, including our PCF solutions, designed to provide a complete offering of integrated services.
Direct sales representatives generally market our business services to in-house IT departments or other highly-sophisticated customers with deep technological experience. We also market our products and services through inbound call centers, telemarketing, and third parties such as telecommunications agents, system integrators, value-added resellers, and other telecommunications firms. Marketing support includes digital advertising, events, television advertising, website promotions, and public relations. We maintain local offices in most major and secondary markets within the U.S. and many of the primary markets within other countries in which we provide services.
Products and Services
Business Products and Services
As of December 31, 2025, we categorized our products and services revenue among the following four product categories for the Business segment:
•Grow: Includes products and services that we anticipate will grow, including:
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◦Dark Fiber and Conduit: We control an extensive array of unlit optical fiber known as “dark fiber” which has been laid but not yet been equipped with the equipment necessary for it to transmit data. We provide access to this unlit optical fiber to customers who are interested in building their networks with this high-bandwidth, highly secure optical technology. We also provide access to conduit, which are ducts installed underground to house and protect fiber optic cables. Additionally, we provide professional services to engineer these networks, and in some cases, manage them for customers;
◦Edge Cloud Services: We provide access to both public and private cloud solutions that allow our customers to optimize cost and performance by offloading workloads. Lumen’s cloud access products are designed to leverage our network edge to provide low-latency secure services for our customers. Additionally, we provide cloud orchestration tools that allow customers to shift work between cloud environments dynamically;
◦Internet Protocol ("IP"): Our IP services provide global internet access over a high performance, diverse network. Our fiber network spans over 340,000 route miles globally with extensive off-net access solutions across North America and Asia Pacific;
◦Communications (Voice over IP, "VoIP"): We offer a VoIP portfolio, including session initiation protocol ("SIP") trunking, and our Cloud Voice Solution, which combines hosted voice, SIP trunking, and branded collaboration. Our Cloud Communications platform moves voice communications to the cloud for seamless communication, operational efficiency, and reliable, cost-effective support for critical safety systems;
◦Managed Security Services: We provide enterprise security solutions that help our customers secure networks, mitigate malicious attacks, and identify potential security threats. These services include DDoS mitigation, remote and premise-based firewalls, professional consulting and management services, and threat intelligence services;
◦Software-Defined Wide Area Networks ("SD WAN"): We offer Lumen-managed and co-managed SD-WAN solutions to help reduce the complexity and business risk of network transformation on a single, automated platform that coordinates the full spectrum of connectivity types. Our tools, technology and hands-on expertise provide the ability to design, deploy and evolve with business needs while maintaining complete visibility, security and control;
◦Unified Communications and Collaboration ("UC&C"): We provide access to various unified communications platforms. This offering includes both individual, license-based service models and more robust enterprise-wide options that transform a customer’s various communication tools into a single platform; and
◦Optical Services: We deliver high bandwidth optical wavelength networks to customers requiring an end-to-end solution with ethernet technology for a scalable amount of bandwidth connecting sites or providing high-speed access to cloud computing resources.
•Nurture: Includes our more mature offerings, such as:
◦Ethernet: We deliver a robust array of networking services built on ethernet technology. Ethernet services include point-to-point and multi-point equipment configurations that facilitate data transmissions across metropolitan areas and larger enterprise-class wide area networks. Our ethernet technology is also used by wireless service providers for data transmission via our fiber-optic cables connected to their towers; and
◦VPN Data Networks: Leveraging our extensive fiber-optic network, we create private networks tailored to our customers’ needs. These technologies enable enterprises, government entities and service providers to streamline multiple networks into a cost-effective solution that simplifies the transmission of voice, video, and data over a single secure network.
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•Harvest: Includes our legacy services managed for cash flow, including:
◦Voice Services: We offer our customers a complete portfolio of traditional Time Division Multiplexing voice services including primary rate interface service, local inbound service, switched one-plus, toll free, long distance and international services; and
◦Private Line: We deliver private line services, a direct circuit or channel specifically dedicated for connecting two or more organizational sites. Private line service offers a high-speed, secure solution for frequent transmission of large amounts of data between sites, including wireless backhaul transmissions.
•Other: Includes various other products and services, including:
◦Equipment: We sell and install certain communications equipment;
◦Managed and Professional Service Solutions: We craft technology solutions for our customers and often manage these solutions on an ongoing basis. These services frequently enhance equipment or networks owned, acquired, or controlled by the customer and often include our consulting or software development services; and
◦Other Legacy Services: We continue to provide certain services based on older platforms to support our customers as they transition to newer technology. These services include Synchronous Optical Network ("SONET") based ethernet, legacy data hosting services, and conferencing services.
Mass Markets Products and Services
As of December 31, 2025, we reported our products and services revenue among the following three categories for the Mass Markets segment:
•Fiber Broadband: Under which we provide high speed broadband services to residential and small business customers utilizing our fiber-based network infrastructure;
•Other Broadband: Under which we provide primarily lower speed broadband services to residential and small business customers utilizing our copper-based network infrastructure; and
•Voice and Other: Under which we derive revenues from (i) providing local and long-distance voice services, professional services, and other ancillary services, and (ii) federal broadband and state support programs.
From time to time, we may change the categorization of our products and services.
Our Network
We deliver most of our products and services through our network consisting of fiber-optic and copper cables, high-speed transport equipment, electronics, voice and data switches, routers, and various other equipment. Portions of our network use leased assets, and much of the equipment uses licensed software.
Connectivity and Coverage
As of December 31, 2025, our network included over 340,000 route miles of fiber optic plant, most of which consists of "long-haul" fiber connections between major metropolitan areas, with the remainder being "metro" fiber that connects buildings within the metropolitan markets we serve. We also maintain copper-based network infrastructure and multiple gateway and transmission facilities used to operate our network across North America.
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As of December 31, 2025, our domestic network:
•connected to approximately 163,000 buildings, which we refer to as “fiber on-net” buildings, located in 226 metropolitan markets serving our enterprise customer base;
•connected to approximately 22.0 million broadband-enabled units capable of receiving our Mass Markets broadband services across 17 states;
•connected to approximately 4.6 million of our 22.0 million Mass Markets broadband-enabled units capable of receiving services from our fiber-based infrastructure, with the remainder connected to the copper-based infrastructure; and
•included central office infrastructure and supporting equipment that enables us to provide telephone service as an ILEC.
We sold portions of our network during 2023 and 2022 and recently completed an additional sale on February 2, 2026, as described above and discussed further in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and Note 2 — Divestitures in Item 8.
We calculate certain operational metrics (e.g., route miles, fiber miles, broadband subscribers) using internal methodologies that may differ from other industry participants.
Strategic Investments and Modernization
We view our network as one of our most critical assets. We have devoted — and will continue to devote — significant resources to maintain, modernize, and expand it. Key efforts include:
•simplifying and modernizing our network and legacy systems;
•retiring aging and obsolete infrastructure and systems; and
•expanding our network to meet growing demand for enhanced and new products.
Leased Network Assets
Although we own most of our network, we lease a substantial portion of our fiber network from several other communication companies under arrangements that will periodically need to be renewed or replaced to support our current network operations.
Cybersecurity and Network Resilience
As a critical infrastructure provider, we and our customers face ongoing cyber threats, including advanced persistent threat actors. We experience occasional security incidents and service disruptions in the ordinary course of business and maintain robust systems to mitigate these risks. The development, maintenance, and operation of these systems and programs require significant investments and continuous updates to address evolving threats.
For additional information regarding our oversight of cybersecurity matters, see "Cybersecurity" in Item 1C, and regarding risks relating to our systems, network assets, network operations, capital expenditure requirements, and reliance upon third parties, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A.
Competition
We compete in a dynamic and highly competitive market where demand for high-speed, secure data services continues to grow. Our competitors include global communications providers as well as systems integrators, hyperscalers, cloud service providers, software networking companies, infrastructure companies, cable companies, wireless service providers, device providers, resellers, and smaller niche providers. Intense competition is expected to continue across a wide range of industry participants amid the evolving market landscape.
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Our Success
Our ability to compete and succeed in this competitive environment depends on:
•enhancing and integrating existing products;
•introducing new offerings quickly and cost-effectively;
•meeting changing customer needs;
•delivering robust information security to build trust and mitigate cyber threats;
•extending our core technologies into new applications; and
•anticipating industry and technology shifts.
Competitive pressures are particularly strong when rivals have network assets better suited to customer needs, faster transmission speeds, lower prices, or a longer track record in the market.
Business
Enterprise and Wholesale Customers
We compete for enterprise and wholesale customers based on factors such as:
•network reliability and comprehensive coverage;
•data transmission speed and latency;
•pricing and billing simplicity;
•integrated service offerings;
•IP network reach and peering capacity;
•digital ordering capabilities and ease of use; and
•customer service quality.
Pricing pressure remains significant as large communications companies and system integrators deliver high-speed fiber services, while other companies target price-sensitive customers with lower-cost, slower-speed non-fiber alternatives.
Mass Markets
Broadband Services
Competition to provide broadband services to our Mass Markets customers remains high. Market demand for our broadband services could be adversely affected by:
•advanced wireless data transmission technologies (e.g., fixed wireless and low-earth-orbit satellites services);
•continued enhancements to cable-based services; and
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•newly established fiber-based networks built by competitors or municipalities, often supported by government subsidies.
Following the recent sale of our Mass Markets Fiber-to-the-Home business, we expect that broadband services will be a significantly smaller portion of our go-forward strategy.
Legacy Voice Services
Our legacy voice services face significant competition from wireless voice, social networking, videoconferencing, and messaging platforms as customers shift to these alternatives. Additional sources of competition include non-carrier systems capable of partially or fully bypassing our local networks through various methods. Software innovations have enabled low-cost networking alternatives, further reducing reliance on legacy voice networks. We anticipate that all these trends will continue to decrease use of our voice network.
Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers ("ILECs")
We operate various ILECs that are required under federal law to allow competitors to interconnect their facilities to the ILEC's network and to take other various steps designed to promote competition, including:
•negotiating interconnection agreements in good faith;
•providing nondiscriminatory “unbundled” access to portions of the ILEC’s network; and
•permitting competitors to collocate facilities on the ILEC’s property either physically or virtually.
Consequently, our ILECs face competition from competitive local exchange carriers (“CLECs”). These CLECs typically provide competing services through:
•reselling an ILEC’s local services;
•using an ILEC’s unbundled network elements;
•operating their own facilities; or
•utilizing hybrid approaches of the aforementioned.
Additional information about competitive pressures is located under the heading “Risk Factors — Business Risks” in Item 1A.
Research, Development and Intellectual Property
As of December 31, 2025, we held approximately 2,500 patents and patent applications in the U.S. and other countries. We have also received licenses to use patents held by others. We plan to continue to file new patent applications as we enhance and develop products and services, and we plan to continue to seek opportunities to expand our patent portfolio through strategic acquisitions and licensing.
In addition to our patent rights, we have rights in various trade names, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property that we use to conduct our business. Our services often use the intellectual property of others, including licensed software. We also occasionally license our intellectual property to others as we deem appropriate.
For information on various litigation risks associated with owning and using intellectual property rights, see “Risk Factors — Business Risks” in Item 1A and Note 17 — Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items in Item 8.
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Regulation of Our Business
Our domestic operations are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"), state regulatory commissions, and occasionally local agencies. Our non-domestic operations are regulated by supranational groups such as the European Union ("EU"), national agencies and frequently state, provincial, or local bodies. In most areas where we offer regulated services, we must obtain and maintain operating licenses from these bodies.
Changes in the leadership or structure of these regulatory bodies can significantly affect our revenue, expenses, competitive position or prospects. Because such changes are often difficult to predict, long-term planning is challenging.
This section highlights certain regulations affecting our operations, though additional regulations could have a significant impact. For additional information, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A.
Federal Regulation of Domestic Operations
We are subject to extensive regulation by the FCC and state commissions, including obligations under the Universal Service Fund programs. The FCC regulates our interstate services, including business data service charges for wholesale network transmission and intercarrier compensation — such as interstate access charges billed to other communications companies for originating and terminating interstate phone calls and voice services, such as compliance with rules designed to protect consumers against unlawful automated calls or robocalls.
The FCC also regulates several aspects of our business related to international communications services, privacy, public safety, and network infrastructure, including:
•our access to and use of telephone numbers;
•our provision of emergency 911 services; and
•our use or removal (potentially on a reimbursable basis) of equipment from vendors deemed to cause potential national security risks.
Failure to comply with FCC regulations can result in significant penalties. Many recently adopted FCC regulations remain under judicial review or subject to further rule-making, increasing the difficulty of determining the ultimate impact of these changes on us and our competitors.
Universal Service Fund
The federal government has introduced several programs to expand broadband access, including the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) program, an FCC initiative that provides federal financial support to fund broadband deployment in rural America. We were awarded RDOF funding in several of the states in which we operate and received payments for a period starting in 2022. In the third quarter of 2024, we relinquished rights to deploy services in RDOF census blocks in certain states, and in the second quarter of 2025, we voluntarily relinquished the remainder of our RDOF awards. As a result, we will no longer receive funding through the RDOF program and recognized a reduction to revenue of $46 million in our consolidated statements of operations in the second quarter of 2025. We also incurred fees of $49 million in connection therewith, which are reflected in our operating expenses within our consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2025. In January 2026, we paid the $95 million of revenue and fees summarized above, along with an additional $4 million relating to our 2024 relinquishment as repayment of funds previously received and remittance of the fees incurred.
In 2024, a federal appellate court ruled that the FCC's universal service funding system, which levied fees against us and other telecommunication companies, was unlawful. The Supreme Court reversed that ruling, but the parties challenging the USF program have filed a renewed challenge asserting additional arguments. With judicial and legislative proceedings still pending, the ultimate impact of legal challenges and reform proposals on our operations remains uncertain.
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Other Federal Regulation
Federal officials have proposed changes to existing programs and laws that could impact our business, including proposals designed to increase broadband access, promote competition among broadband providers, and lower broadband costs. In late 2021, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation that appropriated $65 billion to improve broadband affordability and access, primarily through federally funded state grants. As of the date of this report, state and federal agencies continue working to distribute these funds to eligible applicants. We anticipate that the release of this funding may intensify competition for broadband customers.
For additional information about these programs, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 and Note 4 — Revenue Recognition in Item 8.
Broadband Regulation
The regulatory environment for broadband internet access service (“BIAS”) has shifted significantly in recent years, creating uncertainty about future requirements. Key developments include:
•FCC classified BIAS as a common carrier service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 and imposed net neutrality rules in 2015;
•FCC repealed the Title II classification and most of the net neutrality mandates in 2017;
•FCC adopted a new order reclassifying BIAS as a Title II utility service and re-imposing net neutrality rules in 2024; and
•a federal appeals court vacated the FCC's 2024 order, concluding that Congress did not authorize Title II regulations of BIAS in 2025.
Several states have proposed or enacted laws or orders focused on state-specific Internet service regulation. Certain members of Congress and consumer interest groups continue to advocate for classifying BIAS as a Title II utility service.
These developments create uncertainty regarding the future regulatory landscape for BIAS. Any increase in regulation could:
•hinder our ability to operate our data networks efficiently;
•restrict necessary network management practices to ensure quality service; and
•increase the cost of operating, maintaining, and upgrading our network.
Collectively, these developments and potential regulatory changes could materially impact our operations and increase compliance costs.
State Regulation of Domestic Operations
State regulation of ILECs, including ours, has evolved significantly in recent years. Historically, ILECs have been regulated as “common carriers”, with state regulatory commissions exercising jurisdiction over intrastate voice telecommunications services and related facilities. While most states have reduced regulation, state regulatory commissions generally continue to:
•set rates for traffic exchanged between telecommunications companies;
•exercise some control over rates charged to customers for regulated services;
•require ILECs to provide voice service throughout their territories, especially where alternative voice services are unavailable;
•administer support programs subsidizing service in high-cost rural areas;
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•regulate the purchase and sale of ILECs;
•require ILECs to provide service under publicly-filed tariffs outlining terms, conditions, and prices of regulated services;
•regulate ILECs’ ability to borrow and pledge their assets;
•regulate transactions between ILECs and their affiliates; and
•impose various other service standards.
In some states, switched and business data services and interconnection services remain subject to price regulation, though the extent varies by service type and geographic region. State agencies also regulate certain aspects of non-ILEC communications businesses, including determining carrier eligibility for federal universal service fund support.
Data Privacy Laws and Regulations
We are subject to numerous foreign, federal, and state laws governing the storage, maintenance, and use of customer data, including consumer protection, data protection, privacy, intellectual property, and other similar laws. These requirements are complex and vary widely across jurisdictions.
International Regulations
As a global service provider, we must comply with various jurisdictional data privacy regulations, including the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) and similar data privacy laws adopted in other jurisdictions of our international markets.
Domestic Regulations
Domestically, the number of state privacy laws continues to increase. The application, interpretation, and enforcement of these laws are often uncertain, and may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. These regulations require careful handling of personal and customer data and could have a significant impact on our business, especially if we violate any of those regulations.
Anti-Bribery and Corruption Regulations
As a global service provider, we are subject to complex foreign and U.S. laws governing business ethics and practices, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, and other local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials, as well as anti-competition regulations. To mitigate risk, we maintain compliance policies, programs, and training designed to prevent non-compliance with these anti-corruption and fair competition laws across all jurisdictions where we operate.
Regulation of International Operations
Our subsidiaries operating outside of the U.S. are subject to various regulations in the markets where we provide services. The scope and nature of these regulations vary by country and in some jurisdictions, communications regulatory frameworks are still developing and do not fully address many issues, including the pricing of services. Our overseas operations are also subject to various other domestic or non-domestic laws or regulations, including those governing:
•exports and imports of various goods or technologies;
•certain sanctioned business activities;
•competition; and
•cross-border data flows.
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These requirements collectively shape our compliance obligations and influence how we conduct international operations.
Other Regulations
Our networks and properties are subject to numerous federal, state, and local laws and regulations, including those governing the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials, the release of pollutants into the environment, and the remediation of contamination. Our contingent liabilities under these laws are further described in Note 17 — Commitments, Contingencies and Other Items in Item 8.
Certain federal and state agencies, including attorneys general, monitor and exercise oversight related to consumer protection issues. We are also subject to codes that regulate our trenching and construction activities that require us to obtain permits, licenses, or franchises to operate. These regulations are enacted by municipalities, counties, states, federal government, or other regional governmental bodies and can vary widely across jurisdictions. In some cases, such regulations may require us to pay substantial fees or impose conditions that affect our network buildout initiatives.
Seasonality
Overall, our business is not materially impacted by seasonality. Our network-related operating expenses are, however, generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year. From time to time, weather-related problems have resulted in increased costs to repair our network and respond to service calls in some of our markets. The amount and timing of these costs are subject to the weather patterns of any given year but have generally been highest during the third quarter and have been related to damage from severe storms, including hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornadoes.
Website Access and Important Investor Information
Our website is www.lumen.com, and we routinely post important investor information in the “Investor” section of our website at ir.lumen.com. Our principal executive offices and telephone number are listed on the cover page of this report. Information on our website is provided for convenience only and is not part of this or any other SEC filing.
SEC Filings
Free electronic copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and other information filed with the SEC are available on our website under “Investors” → “Financials” → “SEC Filings” or at https://www.sec.gov. Reports for certain subsidiaries are also available.
Governance
We have adopted a written Code of Conduct that serves as our code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers, and employees, including our principal executive and financial officers, as required by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. We intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by the SEC or New York Stock Exchange listing rules concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of our Code of Ethics.
The Code of Conduct, as well as various other governance documents, are available on our website under “Investors” → “Governance” → “Board of Directors” → “Resources” or in print to any shareholder who sends a written request to our Corporate Secretary at Lumen Technologies, Inc., 100 CenturyLink Drive, Monroe, Louisiana, 71203.
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We typically disclose material non-public information by disseminating press releases, making public filings with the SEC, or disclosing information during publicly accessible meetings or conference calls. Nonetheless, from time to time we have used, and intend to continue to use, our investor relations website (www.ir.lumen.com) and the following social media accounts to augment our disclosures:
•https://www.twitter.com/lumentechco;
•https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumentechnologies;
•https://www.facebook.com/lumentechnologies; and
•https://www.youtube.com/lumentechnologies