OREANDA-NEWS. CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) today announced that it now offers fiber connectivity at symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to business customers located in select Houston-area multi-tenant unit (MTU) office buildings.

"CenturyLink is well-positioned to compete in Houston. We are helping businesses in select MTU buildings deploy flexible hybrid IT strategies that drive positive business outcomes," said John Sykes, Houston area manager, CenturyLink Business Solutions. "Houston businesses in these buildings can now access the same blazing-fast gigabit fiber network from CenturyLink that enterprises throughout the country already trust for Internet and voice services, Unified Communications and a range of managed IT solutions."

High-speed broadband connectivity makes it easier for businesses to work in the cloud, upload and download large multimedia files, stream video content and back up data in real time. CenturyLink bundles network services with managed IT solutions that help customers address common technology challenges such as outdated infrastructure, data security, workforce mobility, expense management, disaster preparedness, cloud migration and the proliferation of business applications. IT administration is greatly simplified by CenturyLink Managed Office, a managed services solution that includes end-to-end management of Internet, voice and cloud-based business applications.

"Access to super-fast, reliable business broadband service is a determining factor for many companies when leasing office space," said Laura Bacon-Morgan, Houston MTU fiber program manager, CenturyLink. "CenturyLink consults with office building landlords and leasing agents who want to attract sophisticated, technology-driven business tenants. A business can quickly activate Internet service that meets or exceeds its connectivity requirements in a building that is pre-lit with CenturyLink fiber."

CenturyLink now offers several IP-based services delivered over fiber in Houston, including multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), optical wave service, Ethernet and VoIP. More than 300 data centers and thousands of business locations are directly connected to CenturyLink's 250,000-route-mile U.S. fiber network and its 300,000-route-mile international transport network.

Entering the Houston metro area with its MTU fiber program continues CenturyLink's focus on expanding the availability of gigabit-speed business fiber service. A network expansion announced in May 2015 made a 1 Gbps fiber-to-the-customer-premise-connection from CenturyLink available at approximately 500,000 U.S. business locations. Business customers can visit www.centurylink.com/houston to learn more about CenturyLink's fiber-based services, including speeds up to 1 Gbps, and to determine if service is available at their location.