Find the best CenturyLink internet plan for you

CenturyLink internet comes with simple pricing and added features such as their Price for Life Guarantee and free self installation with select plans. Learn more about CenturyLink internet and shop plans below.

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CenturyLink internet comes with relatively fast speeds, high data allowances and a signature Price for Life Guarantee on select plans, but the service may not be for everyone. We break down everything you need to know about CenturyLink below to determine if the service is right for you.

What we like

  • Fast speeds – CenturyLink’s fiber speeds are as fast as any, and their DSL speeds are faster than most
  • Broad service areas – CenturyLink internet is available to many areas where cable or other fiber providers may not offer high-speed internet
  • No contracts – There are no contracts with CenturyLink service, so you can change or move service at any time without early termination fees

Things to consider

  • Limited plan options – DSL and fiber service is one cost, so you won’t have the option of choosing a cheaper or faster/more expensive plan
  • 1 TB/mo. data cap – This is more than enough data for the average household, but going over the limit could violate the Terms of Use Agreement
  • Price guarantee not available on all plans – Only plans up to 100 Mbps qualify for the price for life lock

CenturyLink company info

  • Founded in 1968, CenturyLink is the third largest telecommunication provider in the U.S. with close to five million internet subscribers. 
  • In September 2020, CenturyLink rebranded to Lumen Technologies, Inc., although residential customers will still see the familiar CenturyLink name for the foreseeable future. 
  • CenturyLink’s headquarters are in Monroe, LA and they employ over 40,000 people nationwide.

CenturyLink internet plans

*Speed may not be available in your area. Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees and surcharges apply. Offer Details
**Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection. Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees and surcharges apply. Offer Details

What to expect with CenturyLink internet

Real speeds close to advertised speeds

  • According to an FCC report, over 45% of CenturyLink subscribers experienced speeds greater than 95% of what was initially advertised
  • About 30% received speeds within 80-95% of what was advertised
  • 25% received less than 80% of what was initially advertised

CenturyLink DSL price is the same, speeds vary

  • Looking at the CenturyLink internet pricing table above, you may have noticed that some speed tiers are the same price.
  • That’s because CenturyLink aims to get you the fastest available speed in your area at the lowest price they offer. 
  • You can choose a lower speed for the same price, but really, why would you want to?

Price for Life is real, but there is some fine print

  • Requires new internet service and paperless billing
  • Does not apply to leased equipment fees, or taxes and surcharges
  • Is cancelled if the customer’s bill does not remain in good standing or changes the account in any manner, including change of address, change of service level or suspension of service.

CenturyLink service areas and availability 

CenturyLink is one of the largest DSL and fiber optic providers in the U.S. CenturyLink service areas include residents of metro, suburban and rural areas across 36 states including Arizona, Florida and Texas.

CenturyLink internet coverage map

Centurylink availability map


The majority of areas serviceable for CenturyLink will have access to DSL internet with speeds up to 100 Mbps where available. Other CenturyLink service areas, such as large cities like Denver, Des Moines, Phoenix and Seattle, will have access to CenturyLink Fiber and speeds up to 940 Mbps. 

Choosing the right CenturyLink internet plan

CenturyLink gives customers the option to choose between speeds in areas where more than one speed is available. However, all speeds up to 100 Mbps will cost the same monthly price. Our advice? Choose the fastest available speed in your area and opt for free self-installation (where available) to get the most value in the long run. 

  • 20 Mbps*

    Best for 1-3 devices, light use

    Ideal for basic internet use such as shopping online, browsing social media and streaming in SD.

  • 40 Mbps*

    Best for 2-4 devices, light use

    Streaming and gaming is possible, but you’ll want to use a wired connection for the best experience.

  • 80 Mbps*

    Best for 3-5 devices, moderate use

    Better streaming and gaming performance over Wi-Fi. Connecting multiple devices may hinder connection quality.

  • 100 Mbps*

    Best for 4-6 devices, moderate use

    Good for streaming and gaming on a couple devices at once. This is also the fastest plan eligible for the Price for Life Guarantee.

  • Gigabit

    Best for 10+ devices, heavy use

    If CenturyLink Fiber is available in your area, it will come with speeds up to 940 Mbps, perfect for any home internet use on a virtually unlimited number of devices.**

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*Speed may not be available in your area.
**Speed may not be available in your area. Maximum download/upload speed of up to 940 Mbps via a wired connection.

Benefits of CenturyLink internet

Along with high speeds and a Price for Life guarantee on select plans, CenturyLink comes with a few added benefits to further entice customers.

  • Free self install

    Self installation is available with CenturyLink internet plans below 80 Mbps. You’ll receive your equipment and installation instructions by mail within days of your order.

  • Customer satisfaction

    CenturyLink makes customer service a priority. CenturyLink consumers can enjoy popular online tools to track your technician and troubleshoot service issues.

  • CenturyLink @Ease

    Receive @Ease Basic with Norton PC Security for free with CenturyLink high-speed internet. Upgrade to @Ease Standard, Advanced or Ultra to receive additional security features such as inside wire coverage, PC virus removal and identity theft protection.

Compare CenturyLink internet to other providers

In areas serviceable for CenturyLink fiber or DSL internet, a cable provider may also be available. You may also have access to competing DSL or fiber optic internet providers. Find out how CenturyLink compares to other internet service providers in terms of price, speeds and more below:

CenturyLink Armstrong
Starting price at
$49.00/mo.* $34.95/mo.*
Internet Speeds
3 Mbps – 940 Mbps 12 Mbps – 500 Mbps
Data cap
1 TB/mo. 200 GB – 2 TB
Contract
None No contract agreement
Provider
CenturyLink
Starting price at
$49.00/mo.*
$34.95/mo.*
Internet Speeds
3 Mbps – 940 Mbps
12 Mbps – 500 Mbps
Data cap
1 TB/mo.
200 GB – 2 TB
Contract
None
No contract agreement

Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 11/11/20.
*Rate requires paperless billing. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Offer Details

CenturyLink internet customer satisfaction ratings

How satisfied are CenturyLink customers compared to other providers? The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) gives the largest internet providers annual customer satisfaction scores based on feedback from actual customers. 

CenturyLink 2020 American Customer Satisfaction Index rating: 63/100

  • In 2020, CenturyLink received a 63/100, a four-point improvement over their 2019 score. 
  • Compared to other providers, CenturyLink lands around the middle of the pack, ahead of providers such as Windstream (61/100) and Mediacom (59/100), but well below leaders Verizon Fios (73/100) and AT&T Fiber (68/100).


CenturyLink internet FAQs

What type of internet service is CenturyLink?

CenturyLink has fiber and DSL internet plans. Available connection type and home Wi-Fi speeds vary by region.

Yes. You can use your own modem with CenturyLink. CenturyLink has a list of tested modems you can consider using with your internet service.

CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit plans have unlimited internet. All other CenturyLink plans have a 1 TB data cap. CenturyLink does not currently charge overage fees, but they may give you a warning if you go over your data limit. CenturyLink reserves the right to disconnect service for customers who habitually exceed their Excessive Use Policy.

Yes. You can get CenturyLink internet without a home phone line if they offer fiber internet at your address. For CenturyLink DSL internet, you will need a phone jack, but it doesn’t require you to have an actual home phone to enjoy DSL internet.

Yes. Netflix recommends a speed of at least 3 Mbps for standard-definition (SD) quality streaming and at least 25 Mbps for Ultra HD quality. If you are planning on streaming on more than one device at a time, faster speeds may be necessary.

CenturyLink participates in the Lifeline program, which provides affordable internet to all qualifying customers for $9.25/mo.


Last updated 11/11/20.
The name CenturyLink and the pathways logo are trademarks of CenturyLink.

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David Anders

Written by:

David Anders

Senior Writer, Broadband Content

David joined the Allconnect team in 2017, specializing in broadband and TV content. His work has been referenced by a variety of sources, including ArcGIS, DIRECTV and more. As a Senior Writer, David is motivate… Read more

Robin Layton

Edited by:

Robin Layton

Editor, Broadband & Wireless Content

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