MONROE, La., April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- CenturyLink is donating high-speed internet connections to temporary hospital facilities created to help ease the burden on the nation's healthcare system. The company is immediately responding to requests for services and installing connections within 48 hours.

Connecting the Mercy Ship
CenturyLink installed and donated high-speed connectivity to the hospital ship U.S. Naval Ship Mercy  just hours after it arrived at the port of Los Angeles. The company also waived installation fees for a 1 gigabit Ethernet circuit connecting the Defense Information Systems Agency's shored-based Naval Air Station North Island to USNS Mercy. The high-speed connection supports our nation's military and healthcare professionals providing medical assistance to patients not associated with COVID-19 during this pandemic.

Connecting Field Hospitals and Quarantine Sites
Grappling with the sudden need for more hospital beds and overflow capacity due to COVID-19, local municipalities are transforming various facilities into temporary field hospitals. CenturyLink has committed to donate high-speed connectivity and waive fees for several field hospital operations in Seattle and Oregon.  

"This is the beginning of our essential work to assist healthcare workers on the front lines, as we respond where we are needed the most," said Ed Morche, CenturyLink president of government and enterprise markets. "As these needs arise across the country, CenturyLink is coordinating with local government, hospitals, and the military to locate field hospitals on our network so we can provide immediate connectivity. We are donating our costs and services to help the cause - it's the right thing to do."

The company is working with local and state agencies to provide speeds ranging from 200 Mbps to 1 Gigabit Ethernet connections at these locations – with an expectation that the following list will continue to grow and evolve:

• CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle -
  CenturyLink is providing a 200 Mbps fiber connection to assist this 148-bed facility that will house non-coronavirus patients.
• Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center in Salem, Ore -
  CenturyLink is providing a 1 gigabit Ethernet connection to this temporary hospital for 250 non-coronavirus patients in recovery.
• King County, Seattle locations -
  CenturyLink activated high-speed fiber internet connections at eight quarantine locations in just three days throughout the city of Seattle in King County. These locations are serving coronavirus patients.

Additional Resources

• Learn more about CenturyLink's commitment to the USNS Mercy: https://news.centurylink.com/usnsmercy
• Learn more about CenturyLink's COVID-19 preparation and response efforts here: http://news.centurylink.com/covid-19
• Learn more about CenturyLink's pledge to Keep Americans Connected here: http://news.centurylink.com/fccpledge

About CenturyLink
CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is a technology leader delivering hybrid networking, cloud connectivity, and security solutions to customers around the world. Through its extensive global fiber network, CenturyLink provides secure and reliable services to meet the growing digital demands of businesses and consumers. CenturyLink strives to be the trusted connection to the networked world and is focused on delivering technology that enhances the customer experience. Learn more at http://news.centurylink.com/.

SOURCE CenturyLink Inc.