Call for the Best Cable, Phone and Internet Deals: 1-855-349-9310
For survival in the 21st century, a reliable internet connection is a must, and while there is a seemingly big number of providers offering services across the country, finding the right fit in your neighborhood always requires some research and comparative analysis of the options available to you.
Sure, CenturyLink services depict affordable rates, and the provider carries quite a reputation for price consistency, but do its offerings fit in with your lifestyle? Well, there is only one way to find out. Here is an in-depth review of CenturyLink Internet. Explore for yourself as to how worthy the broadband service is, and if CenturyLink is the right provider for your home.
Founded in Louisiana in 1930, the Oak Ridge Telephone Company has been around for over 90 years now. During the many decades since, it has witnessed significant growth, marked by mergers, acquisitions, and rebranding episodes. Following the 2009 rebranding, CenturyLink became the only banner under which all business was conducted. And in 2020, the latest rebranding introduced Lumen Technologies to the market. Albeit, CenturyLink remains a part of Lumen with its strong legacy as a trustworthy brand for residential and small business customers, delivering data services over traditional and Fiber networks.
While CenturyLink does not offer a namesake pay-tv service, it does allow you to benefit from its partnerships with satellite TV providers and on-demand streaming services. Plus you can bundle your high-speed internet with CenturyLink Home Phone service for a reliable landline experience.
Given the expertise accumulated over many decades at connecting Americans, CenturyLink services can surely be counted on as one of your top options where available. Read on to find out what more makes the CenturyLink Internet service worth your shot.
As we said, CenturyLink utilizes traditional and modern communication technologies to deliver high-speed internet services to American homes and small businesses in its footprint. DSL internet from the provider is available to about 49 million people making CenturyLink the 3rd largest provider in the U.S. But, the company is continuously investing in Fiber network expansion and hopes to introduce Fiber-to-the-Home connections in more service locations by the end of 2021.
At this point in time, if you are located in any of the CenturyLink service locations in the following 36 states, you must consider the provider plans to see if any matches your household needs.
As for CenturyLink Fiber, from among the cities which currently benefit from the cutting-edge ultra-fast service, here are some:
To determine service and offer availability in your area, we recommend you contact a CenturyLink Customer Service representative at 1-855-349-9310.
CenturyLink high-speed DSL, which is the more ubiquitously available service across the provider footprint, offers up to 100 Mbps downloads. Depending on how close you are to the providers hub, you can even experience download speeds up to 140 Mbps. The service comes powered by “Fiber to the Loop” and is delivered by utilizing a smart mix of DSL technologies. This means while CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet is not as fast as CenturyLink Fiber, it can definitely handle standard household usage in a smaller family without a problem.
CenturyLink Fiber, on the other hand, is so much faster and more stable relative to the Digital Subscriber Line connection. The service is delivered over a 100% Fiber network, meaning fiber lines run-up to your home, rather than stopping short at the Node in the neighborhood. So, what you get is pure Fiber, with all its advantages. CenturyLink Fiber speeds max out at 940 Mbps.
All CenturyLink plans include unlimited data which is perhaps the biggest perk of the service. While most fiber internet providers in the market do offer an unlimited data allowance, that is not the case with most DSL services. The perk of unlimited data sure makes high-speed DSL from CenturyLink a strong contestant if your home does not require speeds higher than 100 Mbps. It sets you free from data anxiety or having to pay an overage charge if and when you exceed.
With that said let us add here, the only caveat with CenturyLink speeds is you may not have the entire range available to pick from at your address. Although, there is consolation in the fact, CenturyLink endeavors to get you the fastest its network is able to deliver at any location. So unless you are located in a rural region far from the provider hub, you are likely to access higher speeds.
Type Of Connection | Max. Download Speed | Data Allowance | Cost/Month | |
---|---|---|---|---|
CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet | High-speed DSL | 100 Mbps | Unlimited Data | $50/mo. |
CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit | Fiber | 940 Mbps | Unlimited Data | $65/mo. |
CenturyLink offers you a complete WiFi experience with its advanced wireless modem. The gateway supports multi-device connectivity and delivers a secure WiFi connection to all. Armed with built-in security and privacy tools, as well as parental controls, it offers a complete suite to protect your home connection. The My CenturyLink app only makes the arrangement smarter. It puts you in control of your in-home network so you can monitor and manage all connected devices, and personalize the network as you want.
Whether it is CenturyLink Unlimited Internet or Fiber, either way, plans are priced very competitively. What you must remember, however, when comparing CenturyLink offers, is these price points are not promotional. Meaning there is no promo term or price hike at the end of that. For this reason, when you run an assessment, it will be only fair to compare with regular rates at which other providers sell the goods and not the promotional price. You are likely to see how well the cost per Mbps fairs with CenturyLink, relative to other high-speed DSL providers in the market.
Also, CenturyLink does not require you to sign an annual contract, which is quite a liberating aspect of the service.
As for additional costs, like all service providers, a CenturyLink subscription includes all the applicable government taxes and other standard fees on top of the monthly service charge.
The one-time installation charge can be up to $125, but in most cases settles around $99, which is pretty standard in the industry. While you can opt for self-install, if network tech at your location does not allow that, you must pay the one-time cost upfront. Since this can throw your budget off track, it is an important factor to consider.
Besides the one-time installation charge on your first bill, you may also notice a one-time service activation charge.
The wireless modem from CenturyLink costs $15 in monthly rental fee albeit the provider does give you the option to purchase it upfront for $200. While with CenturyLink DSL you may use your own device, if you are not tech-savvy it is recommended you go for the CenturyLink provided equipment. This will help you avoid the hassle of troubleshooting service issues, or dealing with equipment upgrades, all by yourself.
Speaking of saving money, it is always a good idea to bundle your services. As we said, CenturyLink is essentially a telephone company. Keeping with its legacy it continues to offer a reliable landline service for American homes in its footprint.
While the concept of a landline home phone may not sound like a cool utility to have, it is always a good idea to make sure your cell phone is not your only phone. CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Phone allows you unlimited nationwide calling, and the service comes complete with essential and popular calling features. When you bundle Simply Unlimited Phone with Simply Unlimited Internet, you save on the phone and earn freedom with unlimited talk time and data!
While CenturyLink does not offer a namesake TV service, it does allow you to subscribe to streaming and satellite TV options. Some popular services from partner providers, which you get to choose from, include DIRECTV via Satellite or Internet, DISH, Peacock, YouTube TV, fuboTV, HBO MAXTM, and more.
Over the years, CenturyLink has well utilized its phone line network to provide internet connectivity to homes and businesses in its coverage. While CenturyLink is now focused on the expansion of its Fiber infrastructure, the DSL service is still available as far and wide as the provider phone line network spreads. In urban and suburban areas you are likely to find the max possible speed available, while rural regions are likely to experience the slower end of the speed spectrum from CenturyLink. However, the mere availability of wired internet via CenturyLink often proves a godsend for many rural communities.
Pure Fiber is hard to come by as of yet. But, with more service locations brought under its network coverage, CenturyLink Fiber may soon reach out to your neighborhood. And when it does, it is a no-brainer choice. Month-to-month no-gimmick competitive price, no annual contract, and if you catch the deal, the modem and installation are included.
With how the market shares work in the U.S. ISP industry, it is rather rare you will come to choose between CenturyLink and a close competitor like AT&T, Windstream and EarthLink. But if that happens to be the case do not forget CenturyLink offer pricing is not promotional. Like so you must not run a price and value comparison with promo deals from another provider, rather standard service rates. Only then you will be able to get a more accurate picture of the available CenturyLink deal.
For many rural areas where CenturyLink DSL is available, it is the preferable option when pitched against Fixed Wireless or satellite internet. Unless you are so far off from the provider hub you are getting real slow downloads. As for urban and suburban living, high-speed DSL up to 100 Mbps can easily cover standard household needs in most homes. Because in these areas, the benefit of an advanced CenturyLink DSL network reaches the subscribers more so than rural communities. While CenturyLink Fiber is a great deal if you get lucky.
Whichever is available in your area, high-speed DSL or Fiber, we recommend you check out the exact offer CenturyLink has for you. See if you will like to include a TV service which suits your home, and/or add a reliable landline at discount. Compare your CenturyLink bundle option with competing offers. You can run an evaluation yourself, or ask CenturyLink Customer Service representatives at 1-855-349-9310 for expert advice. You can also check out the pros and cons of getting CenturyLink services by reading this guide!
To subscribe to CenturyLink Internet service you need to start by determining service availability in your area. Call at 1-855-349-9310 and find out which CenturyLink offers are available at your address.
For CenturyLink high-speed DSL, you will require a modem to get connected to the providers network, and a router for in-home WiFi. You can either rent or buy one from CenturyLink. And you can also get one off the approved list of CenturyLink compatible modems. As for CenturyLink Fiber, you will need an Optical Terminal Network (ONT) installed at your premises, in addition to the standard internet equipment. For Fiber connections, CenturyLink sends its team of professionals to your home.
While buying your own equipment means you will save on the monthly rental fee which adds up to a good amount annually, do consider your tech-savviness. If you are up to looking after the installation and maintenance of the equipment, go ahead and buy one. Especially if you plan to stick to the provider long term. Otherwise, allow CenturyLink to look after the health of your internet equipment and troubleshoot any service problems. The CenturyLink wireless modem costs $15/month, and you can also purchase it upfront for $200 plus tax.
Given that installation can cost up to $125, around $99 in most situations, installing it yourself can save you a good amount. The CenturyLink installation kit comes with detailed instructions and all the equipment you will need. But, in the case of fiber internet, CenturyLink only allows pro-install. Call at 1-855-349-9310 to see if CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit service with free modem and installation is available at your address.
CenturyLink Internet service does not have an annual contract. You pay month-to-month and you can cancel at any time without an early termination fee. If eligible you can cancel the service via the My CenturyLink account. Just click on the Disconnect Service tab on the My Home screen. You can also call CenturyLink at 1-800-244-111 to cancel or do it via live chat.
Just use the CenturyLink troubleshooting tool via your My CenturyLink account. When you are signed in, click on the link listed under the My Products Tab. This will autofill your account information for you and run the troubleshooter. If an area outage is detected you will be notified, and you can also request to be notified when the issue is resolved.
Copyright © 2023. All Rights Reserved.
View our Privacy Policy.