EXHIBIT 23.1
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
The Board of Directors
CenturyTel, Inc.:
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No.
33-46562) on Form S-8 of CenturyTel, Inc. of our report dated June 27, 2000,
relating to the statements of assets available for benefits of Century Telephone
Enterprises, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees and
Trust as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related statement of changes in
assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 1999, and related
financial statement schedule as of December 31, 1999, which report appears in
the December 31, 1999 annual report on Form 11-K of Century Telephone
Enterprises, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees and
Trust.
KPMG LLP
/s/ KPMG LLP
Shreveport, Louisiana
July 12, 2000
