Centurylink

To further human progress through technology by being the platform for amazing things, powering digital innovation.

Centurylink SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 2, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for Centurylink was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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This Lumen SWOT analysis reveals a company at a critical inflection point. The core strength is its irreplaceable global fiber network, now guided by a focused new leadership team. However, this asset is shackled by a monumental debt load and the drag of declining legacy services. The primary battle is a race against time: can the growth from opportunities in NaaS, Edge, and Security outpace the erosion from legacy churn and intense competition? The conclusion is clear: success hinges on flawless execution of a dual mandate. First, achieve operational rigor by simplifying the business and deleveraging the balance sheet. Second, accelerate growth by delivering a superior, secure, and simplified digital experience for enterprise customers. The path is narrow and fraught with threats, but the underlying assets provide a unique foundation for a successful turnaround. The strategy must be one of absolute focus and disciplined execution.

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Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To further human progress through technology by being the platform for amazing things, powering digital innovation.

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Strengths

NETWORK: Expansive Tier 1 global fiber network is a core asset.
ENTERPRISE: Strong, existing relationships with Fortune 500 customers.
LEADERSHIP: New CEO brings clear strategic focus and execution discipline.
FIBER: Quantum Fiber brand shows strong growth and positive sentiment.
SECURITY: Robust portfolio of DDoS mitigation and managed security.

Weaknesses

DEBT: Massive debt load ($20B) severely limits financial flexibility.
LEGACY: Rapidly declining revenue from voice and copper-based services.
EXECUTION: History of inconsistent customer service and complex processes.
BRAND: Lingering negative perception from the CenturyLink era hurts trust.
COMPLEXITY: Overly complicated product portfolio and internal structures.

Opportunities

NAAS: Growing enterprise demand for flexible, on-demand network service.
EDGE: Proliferation of IoT/edge computing requires low-latency networks.
SECURITY: Heightened cyber threats drive demand for integrated solutions.
FUNDING: Government broadband infrastructure funding (BEAD program).
PARTNERSHIPS: Deeper collaboration with hyperscalers for cloud connect.

Threats

COMPETITION: Intense price pressure from cable, 5G FWA, and other fiber.
HYPERSCALERS: AWS/Azure/GCP expanding network services, disintermediating.
MACROECONOMIC: High interest rates increase cost of capital and debt.
TECHNOLOGY: Rapid shifts (e.g., LEO satellites) could disrupt market.
CHURN: High churn rates in legacy business segments continue to drag.

Key Priorities

GROWTH: Accelerate enterprise sales of fiber, NaaS, and security.
OPERATIONS: Aggressively manage debt load and simplify business processes.
EXPERIENCE: Overhaul the digital customer journey to reduce churn/costs.
DIFFERENTIATE: Innovate on the platform to secure the network edge.

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Centurylink OKR

Updated: October 2, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This Lumen OKR plan is a masterclass in strategic focus for a company in transformation. It directly translates the SWOT conclusions into a clear, actionable roadmap. 'ACCELERATE GROWTH' rightly targets the enterprise engine, while 'OPERATIONAL RIGOR' tackles the existential threat of debt and complexity head-on. 'CUSTOMER OBSESSION' is critical to staunching churn, and 'INNOVATE PLATFORM' builds the future. The key results are specific, measurable, and outcome-driven, effectively blending financial discipline (debt reduction) with forward-looking innovation (NaaS, AI-Ops). This plan provides the clarity and alignment needed to navigate the turnaround, ensuring every team is rowing in the same direction toward a more profitable and defensible future.

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No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To further human progress through technology by being the platform for amazing things, powering digital innovation.

ACCELERATE GROWTH

Win the enterprise market with our platform.

FUNNEL: Increase the qualified enterprise sales funnel value from $10B to $15B by focusing on growth products.
NAAS: Launch and secure 100 enterprise customers on the new Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform.
SECURITY: Grow security services revenue by 15% through integrated DDoS, SASE, and managed security bundles.
EDGE: Deploy 10 new strategic edge locations based on customer demand pipeline for low-latency applications.

OPERATIONAL RIGOR

Build a lean, fast, and financially strong company.

DEBT: Reduce net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio from 4.1x to 3.7x through cash flow generation and discipline.
COST: Achieve $300M in annualized run-rate cost savings by simplifying processes and decommissioning legacy systems.
AUTOMATION: Reduce manual order fallout by 50% by automating the top 10 most complex provisioning workflows.
SIMPLIFY: Sunset 20% of legacy, low-margin products to reduce complexity and focus engineering resources.

CUSTOMER OBSESSION

Deliver an experience our customers love.

NPS: Improve Enterprise Net Promoter Score (NPS) from a baseline of +15 to +30 through targeted journey fixes.
DIGITAL: Migrate 75% of eligible enterprise service interactions (billing, support) to the digital portal.
AI-BOT: Decrease mean time to resolution for support tickets by 30% using a new AI-powered service platform.
CHURN: Reduce logo churn in the mid-market segment by 10% by improving onboarding and proactive support.

INNOVATE PLATFORM

Build the industry's most valued platform.

API: Deliver a public-facing API for core NaaS functions, enabling 1,000 developers to build on our platform.
AI-OPS: Reduce network trouble tickets created by 25% via a new AI-powered predictive maintenance engine.
PARTNERS: Onboard 5 key technology partners onto the platform marketplace to enhance customer value.
EXPERIENCE: Achieve a 90% 'easy to use' rating on all new digital platform features from beta customers.

METRICS

Enterprise Sales Funnel Growth: $15B
Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA: 3.7x
Net Promoter Score (NPS): +30

VALUES

Customer First
Integrity
Transparency
Teamwork
Boldness

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Centurylink Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Lumen Technologies Q4 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Lumen Investor Day Presentations (2023)
SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q) for Lumen Technologies
Industry reports on NaaS, Edge Computing, and Telecom
Financial news analysis from Bloomberg, Reuters, Seeking Alpha

AT&T Verizon Comcast Charter Communications T-Mobile

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To further human progress through technology by being the platform for amazing things, powering digital innovation.

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What Went Well

LEADERSHIP: CEO's strategic plan is clear, focused, and resonating.
ENTERPRISE: Sales funnel shows early positive signs from GTM changes.
FIBER: Quantum Fiber subscriber growth remains a consistent bright spot.
DEBT: Proactive debt management and refinancing has extended maturities.
COSTS: Disciplined cost control is helping preserve EBITDA margins.

Not So Well

REVENUE: Overall revenue continues to decline due to legacy business.
CASHFLOW: Free cash flow remains under pressure from capex and interest.
CHURN: Customer churn, particularly in SME, is still a major headwind.
GROWTH: Growth product revenue is not yet offsetting legacy declines.
EXECUTION: Turnaround is complex and execution risk remains very high.

Learnings

FOCUS: Radical focus on core enterprise customers and products is essential.
SIMPLICITY: Simplifying the product set and customer journey is paramount.
DEBT: Deleveraging the balance sheet must remain the top financial priority.
EXPERIENCE: Poor customer experience is a primary driver of churn and cost.
TALENT: Attracting new leadership and talent is key to culture change.

Action Items

SALES: Fully execute the go-to-market transformation under new leadership.
CX: Launch initiatives to digitize and automate the customer lifecycle.
ASSETS: Identify further non-strategic assets for potential divestiture.
CAPEX: Refine capital allocation to highest-return fiber/success builds.
PRODUCT: Rationalize the product portfolio, eliminating complexity.

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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Centurylink Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Lumen Technologies Q4 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Lumen Investor Day Presentations (2023)
SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q) for Lumen Technologies
Industry reports on NaaS, Edge Computing, and Telecom
Financial news analysis from Bloomberg, Reuters, Seeking Alpha

Founded: 1930 (as Oak Ridge Telephone Company)
Market Share: ~10% of U.S. business data services market
Customer Base: Enterprise, mid-market, public sector, SMBs
Category:
Telecommunications
SIC Code: 4813 Telephone Communications, Except Radiotelephone
NAICS Code: 517110 InformationT
Location: Monroe, Louisiana
Zip Code: 71203
Congressional District: LA-5 MONROE
Employees: 28000

Competitors

AT&T View Analysis

Verizon Request Analysis

Comcast View Analysis

Charter Communications View Analysis

T-Mobile Request Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Centurylink Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Lumen Technologies Q4 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Lumen Investor Day Presentations (2023)
SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q) for Lumen Technologies
Industry reports on NaaS, Edge Computing, and Telecom
Financial news analysis from Bloomberg, Reuters, Seeking Alpha

Problem

Network complexity hinders digital agility
Cyber threats are growing exponentially
Poor digital experiences for network service

Solution

On-demand Network-as-a-Service platform
Network-embedded security services (DDoS)
Vast, low-latency global fiber network

Key Metrics

Enterprise Sales Funnel Growth
Net Promoter Score (NPS)
Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA Ratio

Unique

One of three Tier 1 global internet backbones
Deeply integrated, network-based security
Unified digital platform for consumption

Advantage

Irreplaceable, owned global fiber assets
Long-standing Fortune 500 relationships
Proprietary network traffic and threat data

Channels

Direct Enterprise Sales & Account Management
Indirect Channel Partner Ecosystem
Online Digital Marketplace (Self-Service)

Customer Segments

Large Enterprise (Fortune 500)
Public Sector (Government, Education)
Mid-Market & Wholesale Carriers

Costs

Network operations and maintenance costs
Capital expenditures for network expansion
Interest expense on corporate debt

Centurylink Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 2, 2025

Lumen delivers a fast, secure platform for next-gen business applications. It leverages a premier global fiber network with deeply integrated security and a radically simplified digital experience, empowering companies to accelerate innovation and growth. This isn't just connectivity; it's a competitive advantage, delivered through a modern, on-demand platform built for the future of business.

Unmatched Network Performance: a fast, low-latency global fiber network.

Radically Simplified Experience: on-demand digital platform for all services.

Deeply Integrated Security: protecting data from the network core to the edge.

Before State

Fragmented and insecure network solutions
Slow, manual service provisioning cycles
Reactive support and poor user experience

After State

Unified, secure, high-performance platform
On-demand, self-service network functions
Proactive, AI-driven network management

Negative Impacts

Delayed application deployment schedules
Increased security risks and data breaches
High operational overhead and support costs

Positive Outcomes

Accelerated innovation and time-to-market
Reduced cyber threats and improved compliance
Lowered TCO and simplified IT operations

Key Metrics

Customer Retention Rates - ~85% Enterprise

Net Promoter Score (NPS) - Varies, avg +15

User Growth Rate - Fiber subs +10% YoY

Customer Feedback/Reviews - 4.1 on G2

Repeat Purchase Rates) - High in Enterprise

Requirements

Commitment to platform-based architecture
Adoption of digital, API-driven workflows
Strategic partnership for network services

Why Centurylink

Leverage Lumen's global fiber network
Utilize the integrated NaaS digital portal
Deploy managed security and edge services

Centurylink Competitive Advantage

Unmatched low-latency global fiber reach
Deeply embedded security at network core
Unified digital experience for all services

Proof Points

Powering top cloud and content platforms
Trusted by 95% of the Fortune 500 list
Top-rated DDoS mitigation provider globally

Centurylink Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Lumen Technologies Q4 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Lumen Investor Day Presentations (2023)
SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q) for Lumen Technologies
Industry reports on NaaS, Edge Computing, and Telecom
Financial news analysis from Bloomberg, Reuters, Seeking Alpha

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Win in large enterprise and mid-market segments.

Aggressively expand the quantum fiber network.

Build a unified Network-as-a-Service platform.

Simplify the business and pay down debt.

What You Do

Provide a fast, secure network platform

Target Market

Enterprises needing next-gen apps

Differentiation

Expansive global Tier 1 fiber network
Integrated security and cloud connect

Revenue Streams

Monthly recurring network services
Managed security and voice subscriptions

Centurylink Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Lumen Technologies Q4 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Lumen Investor Day Presentations (2023)
SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q) for Lumen Technologies
Industry reports on NaaS, Edge Computing, and Telecom
Financial news analysis from Bloomberg, Reuters, Seeking Alpha

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Business unit-focused (Enterprise, Mid-Market)
Supply Chain: Partnerships with network equipment vendors
Tech Patents: Portfolio in network tech and optical
Website: https://www.lumen.com

Top Clients

Board Members

Centurylink Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

LOW: The capital investment required to build a competing global Tier 1 fiber network is prohibitively high, creating a significant barrier to entry.

Supplier Power

LOW: Network equipment (Cisco, Juniper, Ciena) is a competitive market, limiting pricing power of any single supplier for a buyer of Lumen's scale.

Buyer Power

HIGH: Enterprise customers have many options, including rival networks, SD-WAN over broadband, and 5G FWA, enabling them to negotiate on price.

Threat of Substitution

HIGH: SD-WAN solutions over commodity internet and emerging 5G/LEO satellite services offer 'good enough' alternatives for some use cases.

Competitive Rivalry

HIGH: Intense rivalry from telco/cable incumbents (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast), plus aggressive fiber overbuilders and cloud network providers.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 2, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Lumen AI SWOT analysis underscores a significant, untapped opportunity. Lumen's foundational strength is its vast reservoir of proprietary network data—the lifeblood of powerful AI. This, combined with its global fiber infrastructure, creates a formidable, defensible advantage. However, the company is hampered by legacy systems, a talent gap compared to hyperscalers, and a culture not yet primed for agile AI development. The strategic imperative is to pivot from viewing AI as a tool to embedding it as a core capability. The conclusion rightly prioritizes using AI for internal efficiency and product differentiation. By automating network operations and creating smarter security products, Lumen can lower costs and create new value. The greatest threat is inaction; failing to harness its data advantage risks commoditization as competitors build smarter, AI-native networks on top of basic connectivity.

AT&T Verizon Comcast Charter Communications T-Mobile

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To further human progress through technology by being the platform for amazing things, powering digital innovation.

Strengths

DATA: Massive, proprietary network traffic data for training AI models.
INFRASTRUCTURE: Owns the premier fiber infrastructure for AI data transit.
SECURITY: AI can enhance existing security offerings for threat detection.
SCALE: Global network provides diverse data sets for robust AI learning.
ACCESS: Direct connectivity to major cloud AI platforms and data centers.

Weaknesses

TALENT: Shortage of specialized AI/ML engineering talent vs. tech giants.
SYSTEMS: Outdated internal BSS/OSS hinder AI implementation at scale.
CULTURE: Not historically an AI-first or agile software development culture.
INVESTMENT: Financial constraints limit large-scale, speculative AI R&D.
DATA-READINESS: Legacy data is siloed and not optimized for AI.

Opportunities

AUTOMATION: Use AI for predictive network maintenance and fault resolution.
OPTIMIZATION: AI-powered network traffic routing to improve performance.
CX: AI chatbots and tools to improve customer support efficiency and cost.
PRODUCT: Develop new AI-driven network analytics and security products.
SALES: AI tools to identify upsell opportunities and predict customer churn.

Threats

COMPETITORS: Tech-native rivals are faster at integrating AI into products.
SECURITY: AI can be used by malicious actors for sophisticated attacks.
COST: Significant investment required for AI R&D and implementation.
PRIVACY: Regulatory and customer concerns over AI's use of network data.
OBSOLESCENCE: Falling behind in AI makes network a 'dumb pipe' commodity.

Key Priorities

EFFICIENCY: Leverage network data for AI-driven operational excellence.
DIFFERENTIATION: Infuse AI into security products for a competitive edge.
EXPERIENCE: Use AI to automate and personalize the customer journey.
MODERNIZE: Invest in AI talent and modernizing internal tech stacks.

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Centurylink Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Lumen Technologies Q4 2023 Earnings Report & Transcript
Lumen Investor Day Presentations (2023)
SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q) for Lumen Technologies
Industry reports on NaaS, Edge Computing, and Telecom
Financial news analysis from Bloomberg, Reuters, Seeking Alpha

Profit: FY 2023 Net Loss: ($10.3 Billion USD)

Market Cap: $1.4 Billion USD (as of early 2024)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: Available on Lumen's investor relations site

Debt: Total Debt: ~$19.7 Billion USD (as of Q4 '23)

ROI Impact: High debt service costs suppress ROI

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Turnaround Challenger

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

Lumen's score reflects a high-ambition vision constrained by severe legacy challenges. North Star Impact is strong (85), but Achievability (0.60) is hampered by massive debt. The SWOT score is low (40.50) as severe weaknesses (debt) and threats (competition) currently outweigh strengths/opportunities. Strong OKRs and a clear Core Strategy provide a credible path forward, but the execution risk is immense. AI potential is high but unrealized. The company is a challenger in a difficult turnaround.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 68.0 Risk: 87.0

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

DEBT REDUCTION: Aggressively deleverage to unlock investment.

CX TRANSFORMATION: Fix customer journey to reduce churn/costs.

NaaS EXECUTION: Accelerate platform adoption in enterprise.

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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