One thing that’s on the forefront of any cord-cutter’s mind is affordability. Picking the right streaming services can make the difference between paying a little or a lot, and the same can be said about choosing an internet provider. If you’re a cord-cutter committed to high-speed internet at an affordable rate, then CenturyLink might be your solution. As one of the fastest fiber and DSL providers in the country, CenturyLink offers a range of speeds to meet the needs of cord-cutters looking to stream content in HD or even 4K resolution. Is CenturyLink the right internet provider for your streaming needs? We’ll dive into what cord-cutters can expect from CenturyLink, including plans, availability, speeds, features, and contracts.
A Brief Look at CenturyLink Internet
- 36 States Served: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
- Connection types: DSL and fiber
- Maximum download speeds: DSL: Up to 140 Mbps; Fiber: Up to 940 Mbps
- Starting price: $50 per month
CenturyLink Availability
CenturyLink provides both DSL and fiber internet services to customers across 36 states, though the availability of each connection type may vary. By leveraging existing telephone infrastructure, CenturyLink positioned itself as a leader in the DSL space, and now it is pushing for more fiber-optic offerings throughout the country. Some of the top areas served by CenturyLink include Las Vegas, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Tucson, and Denver.
CenturyLink Internet Plans, Speeds, and Features
If you’re considering Centurylink’s internet as a new option for your cord-cutting needs, you’ll be happy to know they offer a wide range of speeds starting at $50 per month. When it comes to DSL internet, CenturyLink’s Simply Unlimited Internet plan can achieve download speeds up to 140 Mbps. If you’re a 4K streamer, you may want to consider a fiber internet plan from CenturyLink, with download speeds between 100 Mbps and 940 Mbps. The CenturyLink plan that best fits your needs will depend on the resolution you stream at, your budget, and which plans are available in your area.
| Plan | Starting price | Download speed (up to) | Upload speed (up to) | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Unlimited Internet | $50 per month | 140 Mbps | 30 Mbps | DSL |
| Simply Unlimited Fiber 100 | $50 per month | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Fiber |
| Simply Unlimited Fiber 200 | $50 per month | 200 Mbps | 200 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber Gigabit | $65 per month | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber |
CenturyLink Bundles and Streaming
Like many modern-day internet providers, CenturyLink is embracing the streaming sensation by not offering TV service. Instead, CenturyLink encourages customers to choose from either satellite TV or one of the many streaming services out there and combine them with CenturyLink DSL or fiber internet. One of CenturyLink’s favorite and preferred services is DIRECTV.
DIRECTV comes with perks like free Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and EPIX, depending on which package you choose. Plus, it works on almost all of your favorite streaming devices, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Android devices. So, if you’re hooked on “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty,” then a free Max subscription with your CenturyLink internet could be the perfect fit. Check out some of our favorite CenturyLink internet and DIRECTV combinations:
| Plan | Starting price (first year) | Bundled with | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Unlimited Internet | $119.99 per month | DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT | 65+ |
| Simply Unlimited Internet | $139.99 per month | DIRECTV CHOICE™ | 90+ |
| Simply Unlimited Fiber 200 | $139.99 per month | DIRECTV CHOICE™ | 90+ |
| Simply Unlimited Fiber 200 | $154.99 per month | DIRECTV ULTIMATE | 130+ |
| Fiber Gigabit | $169.99 per month | DIRECTV ULTIMATE | 130+ |
| Fiber Gigabit | $214.99 per month | DIRECTV ULTIMATE PREMIER | 140+ |
CenturyLink Contracts
The only thing cord-cutters hate more than cable is having to sign a contract. With CenturyLink, you’re in luck. Unlike some internet service providers, CenturyLink doesn’t impose contracts on any of their plans. Instead of forcing subscribers into restrictive plans, CenturyLink offers a range of affordable, month-to-month internet options. Since there are no contracts, you can save money by avoiding early-termination fees.
CenturyLink Data Caps
When you’re streaming a lot of content in HD, you can use data pretty quickly. Per CenturyLink’s “Simply Unlimited” strategy, there are no data caps on their fiber or DSL internet services. So, with CenturyLink, you can stream to your heart’s content.
| CenturyLink Fiber | CenturyLink DSL |
|---|---|
| Unlimited data | Unlimited data |
CenturyLink vs. Competitors
While CenturyLink is known for expansive DSL availability, if you live in a rural area, you may have limited options. DSL internet with AT&T or 5G Home Internet from T-Mobile may be available in your area. If you’re in a more populous area, there could be cable or fiber internet providers. In that situation, we recommend comparing CenturyLink and Xfinity. While CenturyLink may have superior symmetrical fiber speeds compared to Xfinity and a more lenient contract policy, Xfinity comes with tons of perks that could sway you in the long run.