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<p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12,
2005. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Registration No. 333-______</p>
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			<font size="1">&nbsp;</font></div>
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		<td style="border-style: none; border-width: medium"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td>
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<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</b>UNITED STATES</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</p>
<font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Washington, D.C. 20549</p>
</font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<b><font SIZE="4">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">FORM S-8</p>
</font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</p>
<font SIZE="2">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">__________<br>
&nbsp;</p>
</font><font SIZE="4">
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CenturyTel, Inc.</p>
</font></b><font SIZE="2"><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</p>
</i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</font> </p>
<center>
<table CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="657">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2"><b>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Louisiana</b></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2"><b>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">72-0651161</b></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2"><i>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(State or other jurisdiction</i></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2"><i>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(I.R.S. Employer</i></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2"><i>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">of incorporation or organization)</i></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="50%" VALIGN="TOP"><font SIZE="2"><i>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Identification No.)</i></font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
</center>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp; </p>
<font SIZE="2"><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">100 CenturyTel Drive</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Monroe, Louisiana 71203</p>
</b><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Address, including zip code, of</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Principal Executive Offices)</p>
</i><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CenturyTel, Inc. 2005 Directors Stock Plan<br>
CenturyTel, Inc. 2005 Management Incentive Compensation Plan</p>
</b><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Full title of the plans)</p>
</i></font>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">__________</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<font SIZE="2"><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Stacey W. Goff</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CenturyTel, Inc.</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">100 CenturyTel Drive</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Monroe, Louisiana 71203</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(318) 388-9500</p>
</b><i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">including area code, of agent for service)</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
</i>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Copy to:</p>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Margaret F. Murphy</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp; Den&#232;gre, L.L.P.</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">201 St. Charles Avenue</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100</p>
</b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</p>
</b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
</font>
<table CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px double #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Title of securities</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">to be registered<sup>
	</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px double #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Amount</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">to be</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">registered<sup>(1)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px double #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Proposed maximum offering price per share</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 3px double #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Proposed maximum aggregate offering price</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-top: 3px double #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Amount of</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">registration</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">fee</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">Common Stock, $1 par
    value per share</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="bottom">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font size="1">&nbsp;</font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
      <font SIZE="1">
      <p style="text-indent: 15px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">2005 Directors Stock Plan</p>
    </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" align="center" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">400,000 Shares</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-right: 40px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">$ 30.48<sup>
    (2)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-right: 30px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$
	&nbsp;&nbsp;12,192,000 <sup>(2)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right">
	<p style="margin-right: 35px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">$&nbsp;&nbsp; 1,435 <sup>(2)</sup></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
      <font SIZE="1">
      <p style="text-indent: 15px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">2005 Management Incentive Compensation Plan</p>
    </font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" align="center" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">4,000,000 Shares</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-right: 40px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">$ 30.48<sup> (2)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-right: 30px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ 121,920,000 <sup>(2)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right">
	<p style="margin-right: 35px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">$ 14,350 <sup>(2)</sup></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">Preference Share
    Purchase Rights</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" align="center" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">4,400,000 Rights</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-right: 40px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">-- <sup>(3)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-right: 30px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">--
	&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="bottom" align="right" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">
	<p style="margin-right: 35px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">--<sup> (3)</sup></font></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 3px double #000000">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">Total</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 3px double #000000" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">4,400,000 Shares</font></td>
    <td WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 3px double #000000" align="right">
	<p style="margin-right: 40px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">$&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; --
	<sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="18%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-bottom: 3px double #000000" align="right"><font SIZE="1">
    <p ALIGN="RIGHT" style="margin-right: 30px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">$ 134,112,000 <sup>(2)</sup></font></td>
    <td WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="bottom" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000" align="right">
	<p style="margin-right: 35px; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">$ 15,785 <sup>
    (4)</sup></font></td>
  </tr>
</table>
  <font SIZE="1">
  <p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
<table border="1" width="100%" id="table2" style="border-width: 0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolor="#000000">
	<tr>
		<td valign="top" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">
  <font SIZE="1">
  		(1)</font></p></td>
		<td valign="top" width="736" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">
  		Upon a future stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction
  involving Common Stock of the Company and during the effectiveness of this
  Registration Statement, the number of securities registered shall be
  automatically increased to cover the additional securities in accordance with
  Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.<br>
&nbsp;</font></p></td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td valign="top" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">
  <font SIZE="1">
  		(2)</font></p></td>
		<td valign="top" width="736" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">
  		Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
  pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the average
  of the high and low price per share of the Common Stock on the Composite Tape
  for New York Stock Exchange-Listed Stocks on May 9, 2005.<br>
&nbsp;</font></p></td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td valign="top" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">
  <font SIZE="1">
  		(3)</font></p></td>
		<td valign="top" width="736" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">
  		Preference Share Purchase Rights are attached to and trade with the
  Common Stock of the Company. The value attributable to such Rights, if any, is
  reflected in the market price of such Common Stock. Because no separate
  consideration is paid for such Rights, the registration fee for such
  securities is included in the fee for such Common Stock. <br>
&nbsp;</font></p></td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td valign="top" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">
  <font SIZE="1">
  		(4)</font></p></td>
		<td valign="top" width="736" style="border-style: none; border-width: medium">
		<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><font SIZE="1">
  		Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, the
  registration fee of $15,785 that would otherwise be due with respect to the
  securities registered pursuant to this registration statement is offset by a
  $2,222 credit for fees previously paid by the Company to the Securities and Exchange
  Commission associated with 815,202 shares of the Common Stock registered
  pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-89060 on Form S-8, filed on May 24,
  2002, which shares have not been issued and have been deregistered pursuant to
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto filed on May 12, 2005.</font></p></td>
	</tr>
</table>
</font><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p><hr color="#999999">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">PART I</p>
</b>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Not Applicable.</p>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">PART II</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</p>
</b>
<b>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</p>
</b>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">The following documents, which have been filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (the
&quot;Company&quot;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &quot;Commission&quot;), are
incorporated herein by reference:</p>
<table border="0" width="100%" id="table3" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
	<tr>
		<td valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="41" valign="top">(a)&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="664" valign="top">The Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to
    Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &quot;Exchange Act&quot;);<br>
&nbsp;</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="41" valign="top">(b)&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="664" valign="top">All other reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
    Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year
    covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a) above;<br>
&nbsp;</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="41" valign="top">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="664" valign="top">The description of the Common Stock of the Company included in Amendment
    No. 2 on Form 8-A/A to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Company
    filed on November 19, 1999 under the Exchange Act relating to the Common
    Stock of the Company; and<br>
&nbsp;</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td valign="top">&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="41" valign="top">(d)&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="664" valign="top">The description of the Preference Share Purchase Rights of the Company
    included in Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-A/A to the Registration Statement on
    Form 8-A of the Company filed on November 19, 1999 under the Exchange Act
    relating to the Preference Share Purchase Rights of the Company.
    </td>
	</tr>
</table>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
    Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the
    date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
    post-effective amendment hereto that indicates that all securities offered
    have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold
    shall, except to the extent otherwise provided by Regulation S-K or any
    other rule promulgated by the Commission, or by the terms of the document so
    filed, be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
    Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
    Any statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
    incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to
    the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other document
    subsequently filed or incorporated by reference herein modifies or
    supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not
    be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
    Registration Statement.</p><b>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Description of Securities.</p>
</b>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Not applicable.</p><b>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</p>
</b>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Not applicable.</p><b>
<p>Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</p>
</b>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Section 83 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law provides, in part,
    that the Company may indemnify any of its directors, officers, employees or
    agents against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
    amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
    connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he is or was a party
    or is threatened to be made a party (including any action by or in the right
    of the Company) if such action arises out of his acts on the Company's
    behalf, and he acted in good faith not opposed to the Company's best
    interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
    reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Company has the
    power to obtain and maintain insurance, or to create a form of
    self-insurance, on behalf of any person who is or was acting for the
    Company, regardless of whether the Company has the legal authority to
    indemnify the insured person against such liability.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Article II, Section 10 of the Company's by-laws (the &quot;indemnification
    by-law&quot;) provides for mandatory indemnification for its current or former
    directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Louisiana law.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">The Company's Articles of Incorporation authorize the Company to enter
    into contracts with its directors and officers providing for indemnification
    to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company has entered into
    indemnification contracts providing its directors and officers the
    procedural and substantive rights to indemnification currently set forth in
    the indemnification by-law (&quot;indemnification contracts&quot;). The right to
    indemnification provided by an indemnification contract applies to all
    covered claims, whether such claims arose before or after the effective date
    of the contract.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">The Company maintains an insurance policy covering the liability of its
    directors and officers for actions taken in their official capacities. The
    indemnification contracts provide that, to the extent insurance is
    reasonably available, the Company will maintain comparable insurance
    coverage for each contracting party as long as he serves as an officer or
    director and thereafter for so long as he is subject to possible personal
    liability for actions taken in such capacity. The indemnification contracts
    also provide that if the Company does not maintain comparable insurance, the
    Company will hold harmless and indemnify a contracting party to the full
    extent of the coverage that would otherwise have been provided for his
    benefit.</p><b>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exemption From Registration Claimed.</p>
</b>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Not applicable.</p><b>
<p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Item 8.</b> <b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exhibits.</p></b>
<table border="0" width="100%" id="table4" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
	<tr>
		<td>&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="52">5.1&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="632">&nbsp;Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp; Den&#232;gre,
    L.L.P.</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="52">23.1&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="632">&nbsp;Consent of KPMG LLP.</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="52">23.2&nbsp;&nbsp; </td>
		<td width="632">&nbsp;Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carr&#232;re &amp; Den&#232;gre,
    L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).</td>
	</tr>
</table>
<b>
<p>Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Undertakings.</b></p>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
    </p>
<p style="text-indent: 80px">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made and
      to the extent required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and
      regulations promulgated thereunder, a post-effective amendment to this
      registration statement:
      </p>
<p style="text-indent: 114px">(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;</p>
<p style="text-indent: 114px">(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
        effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
        in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &quot;Calculation of
        Registration Fee&quot; table in the effective registration statement; and</p>
<p style="text-indent: 114px">(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any material information with respect to the plan of
        distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or
        any material change to such information in this registration statement;
        </p>
<i>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Provided, however</i>, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
      apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
      amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with
      or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
      Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
      by reference in this registration statement.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 80px">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
      Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment filed for such
      purposes shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
      the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
      that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
      </p>
<p style="text-indent: 80px">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
      of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
      of the offering. </p>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
    determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
    the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
    the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
    registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
    relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
    securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
    thereof.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
    Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
    of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
    registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
    Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
    expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
    claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
    by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
    controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
    action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
    controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
    registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
    settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
    jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
    public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
    adjudication of such issue.</p>
<font SIZE="3"><b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p><hr color="#999999">
<p ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</p>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</p>
</b>
</font>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Monroe, State of Louisiana, on May 12, 2005.</p>
<font SIZE="3">
  <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0" border="0" id="table5">
    <tr>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 225.9pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="301">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="336" colSpan="2">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="4">C</font>ENTURYTEL,
		<font size="4">I</font>NC.</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 225.9pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="301">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="48">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="288">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr style="height: 14.85pt">
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 225.9pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in; HEIGHT: 14.85pt" vAlign="top" width="301">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; HEIGHT: 14.85pt" vAlign="top" width="48">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; HEIGHT: 14.85pt" vAlign="top" width="288">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 225.9pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="301">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="48">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">By:</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="288">
      <div style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 1pt; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt solid; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt">
        <p style="text-align: center; border: medium none; padding: 0in" align="center">
        /s/ Glen F. Post, III</div>
      </td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 225.9pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="301">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="48">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="288">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center">Glen F. Post, III</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 225.9pt; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="301">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 0.5in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="48">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">&nbsp;</td>
      <td style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5.4pt; PADDING-LEFT: 5.4pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; WIDTH: 3in; PADDING-TOP: 0in" vAlign="top" width="288">
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center">Chairman of the Board
      <p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0" align="center">
      and Chief Executive Officer</td>
    </tr>
  </table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<b>
<p ALIGN="CENTER">POWER OF ATTORNEY</p>
</b></font>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Glen F. Post, III, R. Stewart Ewing, Jr. and Stacey W.
Goff, or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent
or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.</p>
<p style="text-indent: 44px">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.</p>
<table CELLSPACING="0" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%">
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center"><u>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Signature</u></td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center"><u>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Title</u></td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center"><u>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Date</u></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/ Glen F. Post, III&nbsp;<u></p>
	<hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    </u>
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Glen F. Post, III</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Chairman of the Board and</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Chief Executive Officer</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/ R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.&nbsp;<u></p>
    </u><hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Principal Financial Officer)</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/ Neil A. Sweasy&nbsp;<u></p>
    </u><hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Neil A. Sweasy</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Vice President and Controller</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">(Principal Accounting Officer)</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;William R. Boles, Jr.</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">William R. Boles, Jr.</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;Virginia Boulet</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Virginia Boulet</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;Calvin Czeschin</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Calvin Czeschin</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">&nbsp;</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">James B. Gardner</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp; </p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;W. Bruce Hanks</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">W. Bruce Hanks</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;C. G. Melville, Jr.</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">C. G. Melville, Jr.</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;Gregory J. McCray</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Gregory J. McCray</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;Fred Nichols</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Fred Nichols</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;Harvey P. Perry</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Harvey P. Perry</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;Jim D. Reppond</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Jim D. Reppond</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
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    <td WIDTH="35%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
	<p style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: -6px">/s/&nbsp;Joseph R. Zimmel</p>
    <hr noshade color="#000000" size="1">
    <p style="margin-top: -7px; margin-bottom: 0">Joseph R. Zimmel</td>
    <td WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">Director</td>
    <td WIDTH="31%" VALIGN="TOP" align="center">
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">&nbsp;</p>
    <p ALIGN="CENTER" style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0">May 12, 2005</td>
  </tr>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "form-s8_051205.htm", "secsgml_size_bytes": 46777}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CENTURYTEL INC", "cik": "0000018926", "assigned-sic": "4813", "irs-number": "720651161", "state-of-incorporation": "LA", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-124854", "film-number": "05824858"}, "business-address": {"street1": "P O BOX 4065", "street2": "100 CENTURYTEL DR", "city": "MONROE", "state": "LA", "zip": "71203", "phone": "3183889000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "100 CENTURYTEL DR", "street2": "P O BOX 4065", "city": "MONROE", "state": "LA", "zip": "71203"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "CENTURY TELEPHONE ENTERPRISES INC", "date-changed": "19920703"}, {"former-conformed-name": "CENTRAL TELEPHONE & ELECTRONICS CORP", "date-changed": "19720512"}]}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12,
2005.                                   Registration No. 333-______
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
__________
CenturyTel, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Louisiana
72-0651161
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
100 CenturyTel Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71203
(Address, including zip code, of
Principal Executive Offices)
CenturyTel, Inc. 2005 Directors Stock Plan
CenturyTel, Inc. 2005 Management Incentive Compensation Plan
(Full title of the plans)
__________
Stacey W. Goff
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
CenturyTel, Inc.
100 CenturyTel Drive
Monroe, Louisiana 71203
(318) 388-9500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Margaret F. Murphy
Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, L.L.P.
201 St. Charles Avenue
New Orleans, Louisiana 70170-5100
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
to be registered
Amount
to be
registered
(1)
Proposed maximum offering price per share
Proposed maximum aggregate offering price
Amount of
registration
fee
Common Stock, $1 par
    value per share
2005 Directors Stock Plan
400,000 Shares
$ 30.48
(2)
$
	  12,192,000
(2)
$   1,435
(2)
2005 Management Incentive Compensation Plan
4,000,000 Shares
$ 30.48
(2)
$ 121,920,000
(2)
$ 14,350
(2)
Preference Share
    Purchase Rights
4,400,000 Rights
--
(3)
--
--
(3)
Total
4,400,000 Shares
$      --
$ 134,112,000
(2)
$ 15,785
(4)
(1)
Upon a future stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction
  involving Common Stock of the Company and during the effectiveness of this
  Registration Statement, the number of securities registered shall be
  automatically increased to cover the additional securities in accordance with
  Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee
  pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, based on the average
  of the high and low price per share of the Common Stock on the Composite Tape
  for New York Stock Exchange-Listed Stocks on May 9, 2005.
(3)
Preference Share Purchase Rights are attached to and trade with the
  Common Stock of the Company. The value attributable to such Rights, if any, is
  reflected in the market price of such Common Stock. Because no separate
  consideration is paid for such Rights, the registration fee for such
  securities is included in the fee for such Common Stock.
(4)
Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, the
  registration fee of $15,785 that would otherwise be due with respect to the
  securities registered pursuant to this registration statement is offset by a
  $2,222 credit for fees previously paid by the Company to the Securities and Exchange
  Commission associated with 815,202 shares of the Common Stock registered
  pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-89060 on Form S-8, filed on May 24,
  2002, which shares have not been issued and have been deregistered pursuant to
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 thereto filed on May 12, 2005.
PART I
Not Applicable.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.     Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents, which have been filed by CenturyTel, Inc. (the
"Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), are
incorporated herein by reference:
(a)
The Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed pursuant to
    Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act");
(b)
All other reports filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
    Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year
    covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a) above;
(c)
The description of the Common Stock of the Company included in Amendment
    No. 2 on Form 8-A/A to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A of the Company
    filed on November 19, 1999 under the Exchange Act relating to the Common
    Stock of the Company; and
(d)
The description of the Preference Share Purchase Rights of the Company
    included in Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-A/A to the Registration Statement on
    Form 8-A of the Company filed on November 19, 1999 under the Exchange Act
    relating to the Preference Share Purchase Rights of the Company.
All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
    Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the
    date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a
    post-effective amendment hereto that indicates that all securities offered
    have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold
    shall, except to the extent otherwise provided by Regulation S-K or any
    other rule promulgated by the Commission, or by the terms of the document so
    filed, be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration
    Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
    Any statements contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
    incorporated by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to
    the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other document
    subsequently filed or incorporated by reference herein modifies or
    supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not
    be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
    Registration Statement.
Item 4.     Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.     Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6.     Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 83 of the Louisiana Business Corporation Law provides, in part,
    that the Company may indemnify any of its directors, officers, employees or
    agents against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
    amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in
    connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which he is or was a party
    or is threatened to be made a party (including any action by or in the right
    of the Company) if such action arises out of his acts on the Company's
    behalf, and he acted in good faith not opposed to the Company's best
    interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
    reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Company has the
    power to obtain and maintain insurance, or to create a form of
    self-insurance, on behalf of any person who is or was acting for the
    Company, regardless of whether the Company has the legal authority to
    indemnify the insured person against such liability.
Article II, Section 10 of the Company's by-laws (the "indemnification
    by-law") provides for mandatory indemnification for its current or former
    directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Louisiana law.
The Company's Articles of Incorporation authorize the Company to enter
    into contracts with its directors and officers providing for indemnification
    to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Company has entered into
    indemnification contracts providing its directors and officers the
    procedural and substantive rights to indemnification currently set forth in
    the indemnification by-law ("indemnification contracts"). The right to
    indemnification provided by an indemnification contract applies to all
    covered claims, whether such claims arose before or after the effective date
    of the contract.
The Company maintains an insurance policy covering the liability of its
    directors and officers for actions taken in their official capacities. The
    indemnification contracts provide that, to the extent insurance is
    reasonably available, the Company will maintain comparable insurance
    coverage for each contracting party as long as he serves as an officer or
    director and thereafter for so long as he is subject to possible personal
    liability for actions taken in such capacity. The indemnification contracts
    also provide that if the Company does not maintain comparable insurance, the
    Company will hold harmless and indemnify a contracting party to the full
    extent of the coverage that would otherwise have been provided for his
    benefit.
Item 7.     Exemption From Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
5.1
Opinion of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre,
    L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP.
23.2
Consent of Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre,
    L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
Item 9.     Undertakings.
(a)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made and
      to the extent required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and
      regulations promulgated thereunder, a post-effective amendment to this
      registration statement:
(i)    To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
        effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
        post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
        in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of
        distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or
        any material change to such information in this registration statement;
Provided, however
, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
      apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective
      amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with
      or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
      Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
      by reference in this registration statement.
(2)    That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
      Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment filed for such
      purposes shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
      the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
      that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)    To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
      of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination
      of the offering.
(b)    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
    determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
    the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of
    the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the
    registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
    relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
    securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
    thereof.
(c)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
    Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
    of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
    registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
    Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
    expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a
    claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
    by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
    controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
    action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
    controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
    registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
    settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
    jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
    public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
    adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Monroe, State of Louisiana, on May 12, 2005.
C
ENTURYTEL,
I
NC.
By:
/s/ Glen F. Post, III
Glen F. Post, III
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Glen F. Post, III, R. Stewart Ewing, Jr. and Stacey W.
Goff, or any one of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with
full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and
all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and
agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing
requisite and ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent
or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Glen F. Post, III
Glen F. Post, III
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
May 12, 2005
/s/ R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.
R. Stewart Ewing, Jr.
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
May 12, 2005
/s/ Neil A. Sweasy
Neil A. Sweasy
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
May 12, 2005
/s/ William R. Boles, Jr.
William R. Boles, Jr.
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ Virginia Boulet
Virginia Boulet
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ Calvin Czeschin
Calvin Czeschin
Director
May 12, 2005
James B. Gardner
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ W. Bruce Hanks
W. Bruce Hanks
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ C. G. Melville, Jr.
C. G. Melville, Jr.
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ Gregory J. McCray
Gregory J. McCray
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ Fred Nichols
Fred Nichols
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ Harvey P. Perry
Harvey P. Perry
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ Jim D. Reppond
Jim D. Reppond
Director
May 12, 2005
/s/ Joseph R. Zimmel
Joseph R. Zimmel
Director
May 12, 2005