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CenturyLink is one of the most reputable service providers in the U.S. and there’s a reason that is the case. CenturyLink ranks #1 among the best DSL Internet Providers of 2022 and it ranks #7 among the best Fiber Internet Providers of 2022, according to U.S. News. This should tell you enough about the provider itself. So, if you are a customer of CenturyLink, you must already know a little bit about the company, but if you are looking into the brand to see if it is good enough for you, then that is exactly what you will be learning about today.

However, we won’t exactly be talking about all of CenturyLink’s services. Rather, our focus will be on CenturyLink DSL internet connection, or as it is named here, CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet. The topic of focus here is DSL and the difference between ADSL vs. VDSL. What types of terms or connections are these? Let’s find out!

What Is the Difference Between ADSL vs. VDSL?

Firstly, what is a DSL connection? DSL is short for Digital Subscriber Line and as we can understand from the name, the service provider offers digital services to the customer over a line. This line that we are talking about is the telephone line. Using this standard copper landline infrastructure, you can get internet services, even if the phone isn’t active.

ADSL

ADSL stands for Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. As a type of DSL, it is the simpler version. You get internet services via a copper wire phone line. Your internet data is carried over the line on frequencies different from voice data.

The latest iteration of this technology is ADSL2+. On the street, there is an ISP-operated box called Digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) which acts as a switch to connect the neighborhood’s DSL subscribers to the high-speed infrastructure that is your link to the wider internet network. You get reliable internet at different speeds and the maximum speed you can get with ADSL is up to 25 Mbps.

VDSL

VDSL stands for Very-High-Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line. As you can tell by the name, it is a more upgraded version of ADSL. Being another type of DSL internet, it also uses copper wires to transmit the internet from the provider base to the customer’s home.

A major difference is that an optical node is installed closer to the user’s home, which is the subscriber’s connection to the ISP. Since it is a more upgraded version, higher and newer technology was used to make it and it offers speeds up to 100 Mbps.

ADSL vs. VDSL: Signal Loss

Another major factor differentiating these two technologies is the distance from the switching station your home can be before the internet signal majorly degrades (attenuates). VDSL connections need a switching station a maximum distance of 4,000 ft away. ADSL, on the other hand, allows up to 18,000 ft. distance between your home and the switching equipment. For both connection types, the download speed you experience will vary with how close you are to the switching station.

CenturyLink Internet Plans

CenturyLink has two types of connections, DSL and Fiber. These plans are as given below. However, our interest lies only in the DSL internet plan. Take a look at the fiber and DSL internet plans and then we can discuss the DSL plans.

Internet Plans Internet Speed Price Key Features

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet

Up to 100 Mbps

(In select markets. Speed availability depends on area.)
$50/mo.
Paperless billing or Prepay is required. Additional fees and taxes apply.
  • No data limits
  • No annual contract
  • Stream HD content, work from home, shop, and more
  • Connect multiple users and devices

CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit

Up to 940 Mbps

(In select markets. Speed is available in certain areas only. Max download/upload speed possible via a wired connection)
$70/mo.
Paperless billing or Prepay is required. Additional fees and taxes apply.
  • 20 times faster upload speed than cable
  • Unlimited data
  • 99.9% reliable network
  • Stream HD content on up to 8+ devices
  • No annual contract
  • FREE modem and installation - $329 value
  • Super-fast internet that boosts your gaming experience

As you can see, the CenturyLink DSL internet plan offers a speed of up to 100 Mbps, and this is an indication that it uses both VDSL and ADSL connection types. How is that so? Look at the table below for more clarification.

Internet Plans Internet Speed Connection Type Price

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet

Up to 25 Mbps

(In select markets. Speed availability depends on area.)

 

ADSL

$50/mo.
Paperless billing or Prepay is required. Additional fees and taxes apply.

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet

Up to 100 Mbps

(In select markets. Speed availability depends on area. Max download/upload speed possible via a wired connection)

 

VDSL

$50/mo.
Paperless billing or Prepay is required. Additional fees and taxes apply.

So, you see, it depends on your area whether a speed of up to 25 Mbps or 100 Mbps will be available to you; you’ll be paying the same price for both. CenturyLink often invests in upgrading the infrastructure for subscribers. So if only ADSL is available in your area, sometime in the future, you may be lucky enough to be bumped up to VDSL.

Final Thoughts

The last thing we will say is that you shouldn’t worry about having slow internet speed or anything of that sort because the type of connection doesn’t really affect your internet reliability. Unless there is some genuine issue with the wires or the weather or anything, there is nothing to worry about. Choose the speed you want and CenturyLink will take care of the connection, the issues, and everything else that counts as customer service. If you want to contact CenturyLink customer service and make a purchase right now, go ahead and dial 855-349-9310.

You can get any of your queries cleared or make a purchase. If you are an existing customer, then you can even discuss any problems or issues you might be facing with the modem, router, or even just the internet speed. Of course, you will automatically be redirected to the concerned department, if you have any specific questions or problems.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is CenturyLink ADSL or VDSL?

CenturyLink uses both ADSL and VDSL depending on the area you live in. If you are getting an internet speed of up to 25 Mbps, then it is an ADSL connection, but if you are experiencing up to 100 Mbps, then it is a VDSL connection. If you want to get some more details regarding this, don’t hesitate to contact CenturyLink customer service at 855-349-9310.

What is the difference between ADSL and VDSL cables?

ADSL and VDSL are both types of DSL internet connection. Both of them use copper wires or telephone lines to connect the ISP to your home and then the internet or any other service is transmitted over these wires. VDSL is an upgraded version of ADSL. To get more information on these two connection types, call 855-349-9310.