EMBARQ Reminds Everyone to Call Before You Dig

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spring is just around the corner, and with the warmer weather comes an increase in construction activities. EMBARQ (NYSE: EQ) reminds the construction industry, gardeners or anyone working in their own yard to protect their communities by calling their local one-call agency before digging or disrupting the ground in any way.

"We typically see an increase in cable cuts during the spring months," said Jim Hansen, senior vice president of Network Services at EMBARQ. "We'd like to remind everyone to call before they dig or disturb the ground in any way. That includes such minor things as putting up a fence all the way to the construction of a new office building. If a cable is cut, it can disrupt emergency communications services and put people at risk."

Each year there are thousands of cable cuts affecting communications companies across the country. Due to the robust nature of the EMBARQ network, often customers are unaware when a cut occurs. But when there is a cut, the company mobilizes its technicians into action to quickly fix the cable to keep any impact at a minimum.

In addition, someone digging could hit an electric cable which could result in injury or even death. "Imagine," said Hansen, "cutting a cable while installing a mailbox and disrupting 911 service to themselves and their neighbors, putting entire communities at risk."

Usually communications cables are marked with orange warning signs, but residents and construction companies should call even if these signs aren't immediately noticeable.

"By calling before you dig, anyone disturbing the ground in any way can protect themselves from physical harm, potential litigation and will protect the community from a disruption of 911 emergency services," said Hansen. "Always call before you dig."

EMBARQ serving areas and the appropriate call before you dig numbers are listed below. Beginning in April, construction companies who work in certain states can dial 811 for the number of the one-call agency nearest them.

About EMBARQ

Embarq Corporation (NYSE: EQ) , headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, offers a complete suite of common sense communications services. The company has approximately 20,000 employees and operates in 18 states. EMBARQ, which is expected to rank among the Fortune 500, is included in the S&P 500.

For consumers, EMBARQ offers an innovative portfolio of services that includes reliable local and long distance home phone service, high-speed Internet, wireless, and satellite TV from DISH Network(R) -- all on one monthly bill.

For businesses, EMBARQ has a comprehensive range of flexible and integrated services designed to help businesses of all sizes be more productive and communicate with their customers. This service portfolio includes local voice and data services, long distance, Business Class DSL, wireless, enhanced data network services, voice and data communication equipment and managed network services.

EMBARQ believes that by focusing on the communities the company serves and by employing common sense and practical ingenuity, it is able to provide customers with a committed partner, dedicated customer service and innovative products for work and home. For more information, visit embarq.com.

  Call Before You Dig and State One-Call phone numbers:

  Florida          Sunshine State One Call of Florida, Inc.   1-800-432-4770

  Indiana          Indiana Underground Plant Protection       1-800-382-5544
                    Service. Inc.

  Iowa             Underground Plant Loc. Service, Inc.       1-800-292-8989

  Kansas           Kansas One Call Center                     1-800-DIG-SAFE

  Minnesota        Gopher State One Call                      1-800-252-1166

  Missouri         Missouri One Call System, Inc.             1-800-344-7483

  Nebraska         Diggers Hotline of Nebraska                1-800-331-5666

  Nevada           Underground Service Alert of NV            1-800-227-2600

  New Jersey       Garden State Undrgrnd. Plnt. Loc. Ser.     1-800-272-1000

  North Carolina   North Carolina One-Call Center             1-800-632-4949

  Ohio             Ohio Utilities Protection Service          1-800-362-2764

  Oregon           Utility's Underground Location Center      1-800-424-5555

                   Douglas Utility's Coordinating Council     1-503-673-6676

                   Josephine Utility's Coordinating Council   1-503-476-6676

                   Utility's Notification Center              1-800-332-2344

                   Rogue Basin Utility Coordinating Council   1-503-779-6676

  Pennsylvania     Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc.         1-800-242-1776

  South Carolina   Palmetto Utility Protection Srvce Inc.     1-800-922-0983

  Tennessee        Tennessee One Call System                  1-800-351-1111

  Texas            Lone Star Notification Center              1-800-669-8344

                   Texas Excavation Safety System             1-800-344-8377

                   Texas One Call system                      1-800-245-4545

  Virginia         Miss Utility of Virginia                   1-800-552-7001

                   Miss Utility of Northern Virginia          1-800-257-7777

  Washington       Utilities Notification Center              1-800-332-2344

                   Grays Harbor & Pacific County Utility      1-206-532-3550
                    Coordinating Council

                   Utilities Underground Location Center      1-800-424-5555

                   Chelan-Douglas Utility Coordinating        1-509-663-6111
                    Council

                   Upper Yakima County Underground            1-800-553-4344
                    Utilities Council

                   Inland Empire Utility Coordinating         1-509-456-8000
                    Council

                   Utilities Council of Cowlitz County        1-360-425-2506

                   Palouse Empire Utility Coordinating        1-800-822-1974
                    Council

  Wyoming          Wyoming One-Call                           1-800-348-1030

                   Call Before You Dig Of Wyoming             1-800-849-2476