CenturyLink Review: Plans, Prices And Speed 2025

Our Verdict

Pros

• Unlimited data regardless of connection type
• Equipment rental included in fiber internet pricing
• No annual contract or bundling needed for best prices

Cons

• Fiber connections available in limited metro areas
• No free equipment rental for DSL connection service
• High installation costs possible

Learn More

On CenturyLink's Website

3.8

Our star ratings are based on a range of criteria and are determined solely by our editorial team.

Lowest Price Plan Available

$55

Customer Rating

Great

Customer Support Options

Excellent

CenturyLink at a Glance

CenturyLink serves nearly  3 million subscribers. For both its residential and business customers, it offers both DSL and fiber optic internet services. It currently has a DSL offering in 16 states at speeds up to 100 Mbps and fiber optic in 15 cities around the country at speeds up to 940 Mbps. With roots that can be traced back to the 1930s, the company has recently been rebranded as Lumen Technologies, although it still operates under the CenturyLink brand for its internet services. While the company falls short of making it onto our best internet providers list for the year, it does appear in our best fiber internet providers review. 

Some fiber optic customers may have also begun to see another company brand, Quantum Fiber. New customers will appreciate its unlimited data plans at affordable prices. When it comes to prices, what you see is what you get. There are no hidden or promotional fees. However, you may have modem rental fees, installation fees, taxes and surcharges. So be sure to factor these possible expenses into your final budget. A unique selling point for CenturyLink is its “Price for Life” rate, which allows customers to sign up for internet services at a fixed rate that is continuously applied once the original contract is in place. A change to the contract voids this perk, however.

Other Features and Benefits

CenturyLink uses month-to-month contracts, so customers are spared the commitment of long-term contracts that other providers may require. There are no cancellation fees, and customers can cancel their service at any time. Aside from equipment rental or modem return fees, there are no additional fees. No special equipment is required for DSL connections except for an existing phone line. Modems can be rented for $15 a month, bought for $150–200 or purchased from other suppliers compatible with CenturyLink. Newer modems include Secure Wi-Fi, which offers protection from viruses, malware and other threats. Secure Wi-Fi helps users manage the devices on their network, create groups, pause individual devices and use parental control settings. 

Additionally, CenturyLink has a partnership with Bark Technologies and promotes Bark’s online safety solutions to millions of existing subscribers and non-customers alike. Through Bark, kids’ online activities can be monitored, parental filters applied and locations tracked. Anyone who visits the CenturyLink website will have the opportunity to take advantage of a  Bark 30-day free trial and a 20% discount for life on any of Bark’s safety packages. By setting up My CenturyLink, you can manage everything, including secure payments, in an online account.

Free Internet Security

All CenturyLink Internet subscribers have access to free McAfee Security for up to 20 devices when leasing a modem from the company. Subscribers using their own equipment are eligible for the same protection for up to five devices. McAfee Security through CenturyLink is available for Android, iOS, MacOS and Windows devices. 

Home Phone Bundling as an Add-On 

Bundling isn’t necessary to receive CenturyLink Internet’s best prices. However, the company offers phone bundling with both of its internet plans. Bundles are priced at $95 monthly for DSL internet and home phone and $115 for fiber optic internet and phone.

CenturyLink Internet Plans

CenturyLink offers two internet plans and two connection types. A DSL option with downloading speeds of up to 100 Mbps and a fiber connection featuring speeds of up to 940 Mbps are both available. DSL service is available throughout 16 states, while fiber connection services are limited to 15 metro areas.

INTERNET PLAN	MONTHLY COST	CONNECTION	MAX SPEEDS	DATA CAP	CONTRACT TERM
Simply Unlimited Internet	$55	DSL	100 Mbps	None	None
Fiber Internet	$75	Fiber	940 Mbps	None	None

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CenturyLink Simply Unlimited Internet Plan – Basic Internet Connection for Everyday Use

For everyday internet use, CenturyLink offers its Simply Unlimited Internet option. The DSL connection features downloading speeds of up to 100 Mbps under normal circumstances. Some locations may experience speeds reaching 140 Mbps. However, customer complaints exist, reporting speed drops to around 12 Mbps at certain times. 
When customers choose paperless billing, the plan cost is $55 monthly. Customers must supply their own modem or rent one from the company for $15 per month. A one-time installation fee of up to $99 or more  may apply. However, DIY installation is available.

CenturyLink Fiber Internet Plan – High-Speed Connection Without Equipment Fees

CenturyLink offers its Fiber Internet Plan for $75 monthly for serious gamers or those who rely on a fast internet connection for working or transferring large data amounts. The company’s fiber network delivers up to 940 Mbps connection speeds. Fiber connections are limited to just 15 metropolitan areas. However, for customers in those locations, the plan pricing includes free installation in most circumstances, no contracts, no data caps or throttling and free equipment rental.  

How Much Does CenturyLink Cost?

CenturyLink offers deals of $55 for DSL services with speeds of up to 100 Mbps and $75 for fiber optic. You may have to agree to paperless bills or prepaying to get these deals. While there are no hidden or promotional costs, there may be additional costs of $15 a month for modem rental or a $200 upfront modem purchase, as well as taxes, fees and surcharges. Installation may cost $99+ or you can DIY for $15. Some deals may offer free modems and free installation. Phone bundling is available with either connection type. Choose from DSL internet and home phone for $95 per month or fiber and phone for $115 per month.

INTERNET PLAN	MONTHLY COST	PROMO-RATE	ON-GOING RATE	EQUIPMENT FEE	TYPICAL TWO-YEAR COST
Simply Unlimited Internet	$55	N/A	$55	$15	$1,680
Fiber Internet	$75	N/A	$75	None	$1,800

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CenturyLink Coverage

CenturyLink DSL is available in 16 states:

1. Arizona
2. Colorado
3. Florida
4. Idaho
5. Iowa
6. Minnesota
7. Montana
8. Nebraska
9. Nevada
10. New Mexico
11. North Dakota
12. Oregon
13. South Dakota
14. Utah
15. Washington
16. Wyoming

CenturyLink fiber optic service is available in 15 cities across the U.S.:

1. Boulder, CO
2. Denver, CO
3. Fort Meyers, FL
4. Idaho Falls, ID
5. Minneapolis, MN
6. Ocala, FL
7. Omaha, NE
8. Orlando, FL
9. Phoenix, AZ
10. Portland, OR
11. Salt Lake City, FL
12. Seattle, WA
13. Spokane, WA
14. Springfield, MO
15. Tucson, AZ

What Speeds Can You Expect With CenturyLink?

Internet connection speeds can vary with any ISP. CenturyLink Internet advertises a downloading speed of up to 100 Mbps for its DSL connections and up to 940 Mbps for its fiber network. In reality, the fiber connection speed ranges from around 400 Mbps to 940. The DSL connection can provide anywhere between 12 Mbps at high-traffic times and 140 Mbps under optimal conditions. 

CenturyLink Contracts/Equipment/Fees/Hardware

CenturyLink never requires customers to sign a contract, and its equipment fees vary according to plan and needs. Under normal circumstances, customers on the Fiber Internet Plan receive free equipment rental and free installation. DSL customers must provide their own modem, purchase one from the company for $200 or rent a modem for $15 monthly. DIY installation for DSL systems is possible, or CenturyLink will install it for $99+.

CenturyLink Bundles and Deals

CenturyLink’s bundles are designed to cater to the evolving needs of today’s digital lifestyle. Whether you’re seeking robust internet connectivity, a rich cable TV experience or a combination of services tailored to your preferences, CenturyLink Bundles provide a one-stop solution that delivers both efficiency and value.

TV and Cable Bundles

If you want to get the most out of your entertainment setup, adding a TV service provider to your CenturyLink internet is a great way to do it. Although CenturyLink does not exclusively offer bundles with TV services, its partnerships with TV providers like DISH and DIRECTV allow you to add premium movie channels and extensive sports coverage to your viewing experience. Also, with customizable packages from these providers, you can tailor your TV experience to exactly what you’re looking for. TV options include services from Dish TV ranging from $84.99 to $114.99 per month and Direct TV packages priced between $69.99 and $114.99 monthly. 

Internet and Wireless Bundles

Although CenturyLink does not exclusively provide wireless plans, it does provide internet and phone Bundles. With these bundles, you get the reliability and speed of high-speed internet connectivity, bundled seamlessly with unlimited phone services. These bundles offer reliable internet connectivity and the convenience of a home phone, providing a comprehensive solution for your home and a single monthly bill.

How Does CenturyLink Perform on Customer Service?

CenturyLink struggles with some low consumer review ratings related to customer service. In 2022, J.D. Power gave the company an average customer satisfaction index rating of 678 out of 1,000 in the regions it did business. The regional average customer satisfaction index scores are 701 and 730 in the two areas where CenturyLink is a competitor. 

Reviews from Trustpilot gave CenturyLink a score of 1.1 out of 5.

Getting Internet: We Put CenturyLink to the Test

Choosing a plan from CenturyLink Internet is straightforward. Most customers in the company’s 16-state service area can only choose the single DSL connection option, with the only decision being whether or not to add home phone bundling. Customers in areas where CenturyLink Fiber Internet is available will have one further decision to make—whether to choose a DSL or fiber connection. To learn more, we evaluated CenturyLink on the purchasing process. 

We found CenturyLink’s upfront pricing on its website landing page refreshing. We also appreciate that the site states right up front that the advertised connection speeds can be inaccurate based on location. 

Clicking on the Offer Details link within the plan descriptions takes us to a more in-depth description of each plan, including speed expectations and detailed pricing information.

To learn which services are available for a given area, future customers must input their address into the location search bar on the main page and choose their service options on the following page. 

Overall, shopping for a plan with CenturyLink is quick and easy. The site provides answers to the most common questions customers may have. A chatbot function offers more insight and is available on every page. 

However, we couldn’t locate a simple way to reach the company’s phone and internet bundling information page. We employed a search for “CenturyLink internet bundles” to find the information. 

What You Can Expect From CenturyLink

CenturyLink experiences some poor customer review ratings. However, we found the purchasing experience to be straightforward and appreciate that the company is upfront about speed and service limitations. CenturyLink doesn’t have hidden fees like some of its competitors. Installation prices and even worst-case scenario costs are easily accessible on the company’s website.

Customers can expect honesty from CenturyLink. However, despite the company’s straightforward approach, our detailed research process uncovered some reports of very slow connection speeds and multiple customer service complaints. 

What We Like About CenturyLink

CenturyLink uses month-to-month contracts, so customers are spared the commitment of long-term contracts that other providers may require. There are no cancellation fees, and customers can cancel their service at any time. Aside from equipment rental or modem return fees, there are no additional fees. No special equipment is required for DSL connections except for an existing phone line. Modems can be rented for $15 a month, bought for $200 or purchased from other suppliers if compatible with CenturyLink. Newer modems include Secure Wi-Fi, which offers protection from viruses, malware and other threats. Secure Wi-Fi helps users manage the devices on their network, create groups, pause individual devices and use parental control settings. 

Additionally, CenturyLink has a partnership with Bark Technologies and promotes Bark’s online safety solutions to millions of existing subscribers and non-customers alike. Through Bark, kids’ online activities can be monitored, parental filters applied and locations tracked. Anyone who visits the CenturyLink website will have the opportunity to take advantage of a  Bark 30-day free trial and a 20% discount for life on any of Bark’s safety packages. By setting up My CenturyLink you can manage everything, including secure payments, in an account online.

What We Didn’t Like About CenturyLink

The pricing deals of $55 per month for DSL and $75 per month for fiber are contingent on customers signing up for automatic payments, upfront payments or paperless bills. The $55 DSL bargain option is only as good as the available speed in your location. CenturyLink advertises service up to 100 Mbps, but that may not be possible in some areas. In that case, there may be better providers, so make sure you know your local options.

How CenturyLink Stacks Up

CenturyLink

Learn More

On CenturyLink's Website

States Covered

166

Unlimited Data Plans Available

Yes

Annual Contract Required

No

AT&T Internet

Learn More

On AT&T's Website

States Covered

49

Unlimited Data Plans Available

Yes

Annual Contract Required

No

Spectrum

Learn More

On Spectrum's Website

States Covered

40

Unlimited Data Plans Available

Yes

Annual Contract Required

No

COMPANY	STATES COVERED	UNLIMITED DATA PLANS AVAILABLE	ANNUAL CONTRACT REQUIRED	LEARN MORE
CenturyLink	166	Yes	No	Learn More On CenturyLink's Website
AT&T Internet	49	Yes	No	Learn More On AT&T's Website
Spectrum	40	Yes	No	Learn More On Spectrum's Website

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CenturyLink vs. AT&T Internet

While CenturyLink fell short of making our list of the best internet providers, AT&T takes the number one spot in our review. The two companies have little in common outside of offering services with no contracts and unlimited data in most plans. Where CenturyLink provides two connection options, DSL and fiber, AT&T offers fiber, cable, DSL and 5G services. AT&T also offers nine internet plans, compared to CenturyLink’s two choices.

AT&T offers more robust bundling options, as well. The company offers packages that pair internet connections with television and cell phone services. However, the two companies do share relatively low customer satisfaction scores. CenturyLink’s average customer rating hovers around 1.53 out of five stars, while AT&T averages about 1.63 stars. 

Learn more: AT&T Internet review

CenturyLink vs. Spectrum

CenturyLink and Charter Spectrum both offer limited internet connection types. CenturyLink provides either DSL or fiber, while Spectrum offers only cable connections backed by a fiber-optic network. Both offer no-contract, no-data-cap services as well. However, that’s where the similarities end. 

Charter Spectrum is a service-bundling specialist. Customers can add unlimited mobile, television and home phone services to any of the company’s internet connection plans for reduced overall cost. CenturyLink, on the other hand, only offers a home phone bundle. Spectrum also offers three connection speed packages ranging from 300 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps, as opposed to CenturyLink’s 100 and 940 Mbps offerings. 

Learn more: Spectrum Internet review 

CenturyLink Reviews and Experience

Overall, CenturyLink’s customer reviews rate the company relatively low in terms of customer service. Several complaints of slow connection speeds and equipment trouble also exist. While some customers report decent customer service, the majority of complaints against CenturyLink are directed toward slow response times, inability to reach a human representative, missed appointments and overall dissatisfaction.

Is CenturyLink the Right Internet Provider for You?

Price and speed are what most internet service shoppers consider when deciding between providers’ plans. If you are interested in avoiding long-term contracts and not having to worry about cancellation fees or overage charges, then CenturyLink is right for you. If you can receive the full benefit of the 100 Mbps speed for $55, then you can more than meet your needs. However, if your area receives less than that, you may have to shop around for better deals. CenturyLink DSL services are more readily available in rural areas. However, their fiber optic plans remain exclusively available in big cities.