CenturyLink moves up the Ethernet food chain

CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) recently gained the No. 4 spot on the Vertical Systems Group (VSG) Mid-Year 2011 U.S. Business Ethernet Leaderboard--the first time the ILEC has ever been on the top 10 list. The move is primarily due to CenturyLink's recent acquisition of Qwest Communications. CenturyLink was already providing Ethernet services to regional businesses and even wholesale Ethernet services to wireless operators, but its presence was mainly limited to local markets. Thus, CenturyLink is beginning to step out a bit more. Commentary