CenturyLink review: Exceptional DSL with no contract required

CenturyLink features two statements to fame: a generous menu of large-speed possibilities, such as fiber gigabit, and the skill to lock in a very low rate for everyday living. Each are exceptional in the DSL globe. 

Even additional impressive is the generous no-deal option for all DSL speeds up to 100Mbps. Couple of suppliers offer this kind of eye-catching large-speed plans devoid of a determination on your finish. 

To much better understand these offerings, we used around 4 weeks examining 6 preferred plans and comparing them throughout the 4 premier DSL suppliers. We observed a services that presents extremely large speeds, nevertheless your knowledge will in the long run depend on your connection and locale.

Professionals:

• Minimal-value Fiber Gigabit approach
• A broad array of DSL speeds
• Price for everyday living on DSL plans

Negatives:

• Restricted bundling possibilities
• Mediocre shopper services ratings
• Minimal shopper satisfaction scores

CenturyLink World-wide-web plans and price ranges

Minimal-value rate for everyday living plans devoid of the deal.

Information successful 02/05/twenty

* Bundle availability depends on locale, price ranges may well range. For additional facts on these plans click here to learn additional from our spouse web site, Allconnect.

Fiber plans, speed and information

CenturyLink presents a person fiber approach: Fiber Gigabit. At a remarkably competitive $sixty five for each month, this fully endless Fiber Gigabit approach is a person of the most economical gigabit presents we’ve noticed on the market. The catch? Not like other CenturyLink plans, Fiber Gigabit is not rate-for-everyday living, meaning it will maximize around time. 

While CenturyLink isn’t going to present any particulars all over the rate modify, most gigabit plans — this kind of as Verizon’s Fios Gigabit — commence all over $80, and we would not be stunned to see this services observe accommodate. 

Even with an eventual rate hike, the starting off offer tends to make this gigabit approach a steal for much larger households searching to stream, video game, and obtain throughout dozens of products.

DSL plans, speed, and information

As far as DSL world wide web goes, CenturyLink presents an array of speeds ranging from one.5Mbps to 100Mbps. Although the vast majority of persons will knowledge rather slower speeds, in between 10 to 40Mbps, these virtually unlimited no-deal plans are additional than enough for a family of buyers searching to surf the web, check out movies, and participate in online games on the net devoid of acquiring to endure very long load periods or stress about heading around a information cap.

Price for everyday living

CenturyLink presents a rate lock on all speeds up to 100Mbps for as very long as you continue to be with them. This offer is quite a lot unmatched among the DSL suppliers — and among the world wide web suppliers in normal — and could be incredibly worthwhile if you are searching to maintain your expenditures very low for the very long haul.

Who is every single approach finest for?

• one.5Mbps: Best for a one consumer with one-two products
• 10Mbps: Best for a one consumer with 3-four products
• 40Mbps: Best for two buyers consumer with up to 5 products
• 60Mbps: Best for 3 buyers with up to six products
• 100Mbps: Best for 4 buyers with up to eight products
• Fiber Gigabit: Best for 5+ buyers with 10+ products

How quickly is CenturyLink World-wide-web?

In the FCC’s latest report, CenturyLink’s true speeds were lagging guiding its marketed speeds, with 80% of panelists only obtaining seventy seven.nine% of their marketed obtain speed, very well below other suppliers like AT&T and Verizon. 

These conclusions align with the very low General performance and Reliability rating from J.D. Power’s Pleasure Analyze on the other hand, it really is really worth noting that the FCC only examined CenturyLink speeds up to 40Mbps in this report. Fiber-centered connections normally have a larger consistency in speed and efficiency.

World-wide-web availability

Broadly accessible DSL plans with a increasing fiber network.

With availability across 35 states, CenturyLink delivers large-speed world wide web in all 4 major areas of the U.S., with the finest protection in the West. 

While most CenturyLink shoppers will be limited to a DSL connection, the company is functioning on increasing the fiber network, which is at this time limited to 18 towns. Use our zip tool to examine if your handle is serviceable.

Other factors to think about

Straightforward equipment

Straightforward equipment, with the skill to choose-out to steer clear of the every month rate.

The variety of modem, and its expenditures, will depend on your speed and connection variety, nevertheless most array from $10-15 for each month. 

To steer clear of shelling out $one hundred twenty for each calendar year on equipment costs, we advise possibly obtaining the modem upfront ($a hundred) or working with your own. The upfront value may well appear to be like a lot, but it will in the long run save you hundreds of pounds soon after the initially calendar year. 

Ought to you choose to choose-out of CenturyLink’s equipment entirely, make certain your router is suitable. If you only have a fiber-dedicated connection accessible, your previous DSL modem may well not be capable to produce the speeds you might be shelling out for.

Notable costs

• Devices lease rate: Up to $15/mo.*
• Specialist installation rate: Up to $one hundred twenty five*
• Self-installation rate: $50 shipping/handling*

*Sometimes waived for on the net orders

No Tv bundles

CenturyLink is incredibly limited in its bundling possibilities, supplying only a person: world wide web and endless nationwide home phone. Specified that suppliers like AT&T and Verizon offer their own Tv services, or at the extremely the very least, offer some price reduction with partnered suppliers, CenturyLink falls noticeably small. 

Nonetheless, it really is not all lousy information. With an world wide web connection and a suitable streaming machine, CenturyLink buyers can appear into a person of the many TV streaming services that are normally much less expensive than regular Tv packages. 

Mediocre shopper services ratings

Shoppers of any telecom provider know the industry’s shopper services could use some function — such as CenturyLink. It really is obtained very low-to-middling feedback from shoppers throughout review internet sites and in third-bash surveys. 

ACSI’s 2019 report and recent J.D. Electric power rankings both place CenturyLink below other huge names like AT&T and Comcast Xfinity when it will come to shopper knowledge. If you worth shopper services around the rate and speed of your world wide web connection, you may well want to appear somewhere else.