CenturyLink and Colorado-based Level 3 Communications reportedly look to merge

Broomfield-based Level 3 Communications and Louisianna-based CenturyLink Inc. are reportedly in the advanced talks to merge.

staff photo
Employees work at a Level 3 Communications facility. (Courtesy of Level 3 Communications)

Employees work at a Level 3 Communications facility. (Courtesy of Level 3 Communications)

Two multi-billion dollar telecommunications giants with huge footprints in Colorado are reportedly close to merging.

Broomfield-based Level 3 Communications and Louisiana-based CenturyLink Inc. are in advanced talks to unite, and a deal could be announced in coming weeks, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

CenturyLink is an internet and phone service provider and one of the largest employers in Denver and Arapahoe counties with more than 5,000 employees, according to the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.

The regional business group estimates that Level 3 is the largest private employer in Broomfield County with more than 2,300 workers. The company is a major provider of internet to businesses.

What a deal would mean for Colorado workers remains to be seen as the terms of the deal weren’t immediately available to the public. In many cases, mergers result in at least some layoffs to eliminate position redundancies and save both companies money.

Level 3 reported bringing in $8.2 billion last year. CenturyLink brought in almost double that, $17.9 billion.

A deal would likely allow CenturyLink and Level 3 to better compete with other telecommunication giants like Comcast and AT&T. Last week, AT&T announced plans to buy the global media company Time Warner in an $85 billion deal.

Subscribe to Denverite’s newsletter here. Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at agarcia@denverite.com or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.

Weird times

Denverite is powered by you. In these weird times, the local vigilance, the local context, the local flavor — it’s powered through your donations. If you’d miss Denverite if it disappeared tomorrow, donate today.

You’re our superpower

Denverite supporters have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.

You’re our superpower

Denverite members have made the decision to financially support local journalism that matters to you. Ready to tell your networks why? Sharing our “About” page with your own personal comments could really help us out.