Like
- A few of the most reasonably priced fiber plans you could find with CenturyLink’s Fiber web
- Limitless knowledge and no contracts required, so no worries about cancellation charges or overage expenses
Do not Like
- DSL speeds can fluctuate wildly based mostly on tackle and typically fall beneath what the FCC deems as “broadband”
- General plan choice is proscribed based mostly in your tackle
On this article
Late in 2022, a sale to move CenturyLink service in 20 states over to Brightspeed, a brand new telecommunications and internet service provider, grew to become official. Meaning now you can discover CenturyLink service in 16 states.
CenturyLink Web could also be finest identified for its former Value for Life deal. However my first introduction to the corporate was in 2011 with CenturyLink Subject, residence of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. I believed CenturyLink was a financial institution or possibly even an insurance coverage firm. It seems it is one of many nation’s largest ISPs, obtainable to roughly 22 million individuals throughout the nation.
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Since that point, CenturyLink (and the stadium it sponsors) rebranded itself to Lumen Applied sciences (no, not Lumon). The CenturyLink model nonetheless exists because the identify of its web service providing. In case you reside within the Northwest (and are maybe one of many 12s, as Seahawks followers are lovingly referred to as) or in every other states the place CenturyLink is accessible, it is perhaps one among your prime residence web choices.
CenturyLink affords prospects both a digital subscriber line or fiber-optic web service. Floor-laid fiber-optic cable is far quicker than telephone line-based DSL connections, so your speeds will fluctuate considerably relying on what’s obtainable at your tackle. Of the 16 states it providers, CenturyLink supplies its Quantum Fiber web to simply below 3 million areas, so not all its prospects could have entry to these quicker speeds. In case you do, do not hesitate to dive in — it is one of the crucial reasonably priced fiber plans you could find throughout the nation. But when DSL is your solely possibility, you would possibly discover your web expertise missing.
CenturyLink residence web service is accessible in 16 states. The corporate tells CNET that fiber plans can be found at roughly 50% of serviceable addresses.
Lumen
To begin, this is the place CenturyLink web is accessible
Yow will discover CenturyLink residence web service in 16 states throughout the US.
| Arizona | Montana | Oregon |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Nebraska | South Dakota |
| Florida | Nevada | Utah |
| Idaho | New Mexico | Washington |
| Iowa | North Dakota | Wyoming |
| Minnesota |
In accordance with a spokesperson for Lumen, “Fiber is at the moment obtainable in about 50% of our footprint, together with Denver, Portland, Salt Lake Metropolis and Seattle,” with further cities deliberate all through 2023. That listing consists of Las Vegas, Omaha, Orlando and Phoenix, amongst others.
CenturyLink residence web plans and costs
CenturyLink at the moment affords DSL web plans, with speeds as much as 140 megabits per second or a 100% fiber community that includes two obtainable plans. A Lumen spokesperson advised CNET that the corporate is continuous to take a position and develop its fiber footprint, so it should proceed to unveil its Quantum Fiber web to new markets this 12 months.
CenturyLink plans and pricing
| Plan | Max speeds | Month-to-month price | Tools charges | Knowledge cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink 20 | 20Mbps obtain, 2Mbps add | $50 | $15 for modem/router rental (non-compulsory) | None |
| CenturyLink 40 | 40Mbps obtain, 3Mbps add | $50 | $15 for modem/router rental (non-compulsory) | None |
| CenturyLink 60 | 60Mbps obtain, 5Mbps add | $50 | $15 for modem/router rental (non-compulsory) | None |
| CenturyLink 80 | 80Mbps obtain, 10Mbps add | $50 | $15 for modem/router rental (non-compulsory) | None |
| CenturyLink 100 | 100Mbps obtain, 12Mbps add | $50 | $15 for modem/router rental (non-compulsory) | None |
| Quantum Fiber 200 | 200Mbps obtain, 200Mbps add | $30 | $15 for modem/router rental (non-compulsory) | None |
| Quantum Fiber Gigabit | 940Mbps obtain, 940Mbps add | $70 | $15 for modem/router rental (non-compulsory) | None |
CenturyLink affords only a handful of the above plans for a lot of of its obtainable addresses. In a couple of areas, you could have just one selection. That is uncommon amongst ISPs, who provide three to 5 plans at most addresses.
As to the worth of the plans supplied by CenturyLink, the common price per Mbps for the DSL plans is $1, which is a extremely aggressive price for that exact connection kind. By comparability, the common value per Mbps of the DSL plans supplied by AT&T, Frontier and Verizon is $2.44. I ought to word that I am evaluating the common charges, not promo prices, as a result of CenturyLink does not do promo pricing. The value you get initially is the worth you will have after your first 12 months.
On the fiber aspect, the common price per Mbps of the Fiber Gigabit plan is simply over 7 cents, which is considerably inexpensive than the cable gigabit choices from Spectrum, Comcast and Cox (all between 12 and 14 cents) and the gigabit fiber plans from AT&T, Frontier and Verizon, which all hover round 9 cents.
Because it at the moment stands, CenturyLink’s fiber plans are a few of the finest values you will discover on residence web.
Fiber speeds are quick, however DSL, then again…
If Quantum Fiber plans can be found in your space, CenturyLink’s web service is lots quick. You will discover symmetrical obtain and add speeds, which suggests higher efficiency for work (no glitchy Zoom calls or frozen FaceTime frames) and play (much less lag throughout on-line gaming and no points streaming The Last of Us in 4K).
That is the excellent news. The not-so-good information is that CenturyLink fiber is not obtainable at each tackle within the footprint. Service is just obtainable by way of DSL in lots of areas, which lags nicely behind fiber and cable speeds and efficiency.
For instance, if you happen to head to the speed-testing web site Ookla, you will discover a Speedtest Intelligence metric that tracks the quickest ISPs based mostly on median obtain speeds. Its most up-to-date scores for Lumen, taken in the course of the third quarter of 2022, listing CenturyLink in seventh place behind Spectrum, Cox, Xfinity, Verizon, Optimum and AT&T Web. Which may not appear dangerous, however the six suppliers above it averaged roughly 170Mbps. CenturyLink rang in with a paltry 41Mbps, as compared.
The hole is not fairly so huge if you flip to Ookla’s Consistency Rating, which seems at how typically a supplier delivers broadband speeds to its prospects. Whereas CenturyLink once more got here in seventh place, it notched a 58% rating to the opposite six’s common of 86%. Equally, not stellar, however not as stark a distinction because the earlier comparability.
Different points of CenturyLink web you’ll want to know
CenturyLink requires month-to-month prepayment to give you its aggressive costs and no-term agreements. However this additionally means no credit score checks. Listed below are a couple of extra particulars to contemplate when evaluating CenturyLink’s web service.
Further month-to-month charges
Like many different ISPs — together with Spectrum, Verizon and Xfinity — CenturyLink lets you keep away from a modem or router rental through the use of your individual gadget. You’ll be able to examine the listing of CenturyLink-compatible devices, however if you happen to determine to go along with your gear, you will not be eligible for CenturyLink’s free 24/7 tech help.
Going with CenturyLink’s gear will add $15 a month to your invoice. One factor to notice from the small print is that the month-to-month gear payment doesn’t fall below the earlier Value for Life deal, in order that portion of your invoice may enhance throughout your time of service.
One-time charges
Whereas there isn’t any cost for self-installation, not all addresses are eligible for that possibility. CenturyLink will cost $99 for skilled set up if that is the case at your house. In some cases, that payment could go as much as $149. Moreover, you may count on a one-time broadband activation payment of $20 if you start service.
In case you needed to keep away from paying the extra month-to-month gear payment, you possibly can purchase the CenturyLink modem for a one-time payment of as much as $200.
Lastly, CenturyLink at the moment has a web based provide for brand spanking new gigabit prospects — free set up and no cost for the CenturyLink modem. That is a stable worth of $329.
No knowledge caps on any plans
In earlier years, CenturyLink reserved its limitless knowledge for DSL plans solely. CenturyLink additionally consists of limitless knowledge with all fiber plans as a part of the rollout of Quantum Fiber. That is a big change and means you will not have to control your knowledge utilization or fear about gobbling up too many gigabytes earlier than your billing cycle is over.
ACSI
CenturyLink’s buyer satisfaction numbers are middle-of-the-road
Though CenturyLink noticed a big 7% enhance in its 2020 American Buyer Satisfaction Index rating by incomes 63 out of a doable 100 factors, it took a small step again by notching a 62 within the 2021 outcomes after which yet one more transfer within the improper course with the latest ACSI report, because it fell to 60. Granted, the ISP trade as a complete took a dip in 2022. But it surely’s discouraging to see CenturyLink trending within the improper course and sitting 4 factors beneath the general trade common of 64/100 for all ISPs.
For the 2022 J.D. Power US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, CenturyLink scored 717 on a 1,000-point scale within the North Central area, 691 within the West and 665 within the South. These scores had been beneath the trade common for the South and West areas, however above the North Central area’s mark. General, CenturyLink did a little bit higher than it had the 12 months prior. Additionally on the plus aspect, J.D. Energy positioned CenturyLink above WOW, Xfinity, Spectrum, Mediacom, Cox and Frontier within the West area. Just like the ACSI knowledge, it means that CenturyLink is a stable however unspectacular, middle-of-the-pack performer when it comes to buyer satisfaction.
The underside line
CenturyLink scores prime factors for its reasonably priced, high-speed Quantum Fiber product. It is obtainable in additional states than most different suppliers’ fiber packages, and you will be hard-pressed to seek out higher charges. When you add limitless knowledge for all speeds, you have bought a compelling product.
However a few of that enthusiasm is dulled when you understand that greater than half of shoppers will solely see CenturyLink’s DSL plans — and in some instances, these speeds are barely above the broadband minimal of 25Mbps obtain. As you will typically hear from us, the true price of a service will rely considerably in your tackle and which supplier plans can be found in your space, and CenturyLink is not any exception.
CenturyLink web FAQs
What’s CenturyLink Value for Life web?
The CenturyLink Value for Life web deal lined all plans as much as 140Mbps. It is now not obtainable to new prospects, as CenturyLink now has limitless knowledge for all plans and velocity tiers. Prospects who signed the Value for Life deal nonetheless have it, however remember that any change to your account — together with switching velocity tiers, shifting to a special tackle, and so forth. — will nullify your earlier settlement.
How do I get in contact with CenturyLink customer support?
CenturyLink customer support might be reached in a number of methods. Yow will discover help on-line on the CenturyLink Customer Support Center or you need to use the CenturyLink chat function. Additionally, you are able to do it the old school manner and provides it a name at 866-642-0444.
Does CenturyLink web provide any offers or promotions?
CenturyLink is not large on operating short-term promotions and offers. Prospects can get further financial savings by ordering on-line — together with, in some instances, free modem buy and tech set up — and by selecting paperless billing and prepay choices.
Is there a CenturyLink knowledge cap?
For probably the most half, no. CenturyLink used to order limitless knowledge for its DSL plans, however since unveiling its Fiber Web model, the limitless knowledge cap additionally extends to the fiber community. That stated, the deal is accessible for brand spanking new prospects solely. Present prospects should be tethered to earlier knowledge cap limitations.
What’s Lumen Applied sciences and did CenturyLink purchase it?
Lumen Applied sciences was not an acquisition however is a rebranding of CenturyLink that occurred in September 2020. Many residence web prospects will nonetheless see the CenturyLink model for his or her providers, whereas others started to see the Quantum Fiber identify in 2022.