CenturyLink internet review 2025: Plans, pricing and speed breakdown

• CenturyLink offers DSL and fiber internet plans with no contracts or data caps.
• Its Fiber Gigabit plan costs $75 per month, while the Simply Unlimited DSL plan is $55 per month.
• CenturyLink operates in 16 states, with fiber service available in 15 metropolitan areas.
• Customers can bundle internet with home phone, DirecTV, or Dish Network services.

CenturyLink offers high-speed fiber-optic and digital subscriber line (DSL) internet services, as well as landline phone and TV services, to residential and small business customers. None of its internet plans require contracts or have data caps.

The company operates in 16 states, with its fiber-optic connection available in 15 cities nationwide. Its fiber plans have a “price for life” guarantee and are lower priced than other ISPs’ offerings. CenturyLink can be a practical internet service provider (ISP) option for individuals residing in areas where fiber is available.

Its DSL internet service is a cost-effective option for rural areas, offering more budget-friendly prices than satellite providers, no data caps, no contracts and month-to-month billing.

CenturyLink internet plans and pricing

CenturyLink offers month-to-month billing with no contracts. Its fiber plan, with speeds of up to 940 Mbps, is $75 per month. Its DSL plan, Simply Unlimited, has max speeds of up to 100 Mbps and costs $55 per month. 

If you choose a CenturyLink fiber plan, there are no equipment or installation fees. However, a one-time installation fee may apply for DSL, depending on the network technology at your location. A standard self-installation costs $25, while a technician installation can range from $129 to $149. Fortunately, CenturyLink promotions often include free installation to help set up your internet.

While CenturyLink has no data caps and offers unlimited data, it does have added fees. For DSL plans, the equipment rental is up to $15 per month, or you can purchase the gateway from CenturyLink for $150 to $200. You also have the option to use your own modem and router to avoid these fees.

Plan comparison

Simply Unlimited

• Starting price*: $55 per month
• Download/upload speed**: 100 Mbps/30 Mbps
• Connection type: DSL
• Equipment fees: $15 per month to lease or up to $200 to purchase
• Contract: No

Fiber Gigabit

• Starting price*: $75 per month
• Download/upload speed**: 940 Mbps (symmetrical)
• Connection type: Fiber
• Equipment fees: $0
• Contract: No

*Prices are accurate as of June 2025 **Actual speeds vary by location, and some speeds may fall below the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recommended broadband speeds of 100 Mbps. Use theFCC’s Broadband Map to find ISPs and their maximum speeds in your area.

CenturyLink internet plans

CenturyLink has one fiber plan and one DSL plan. Fiber is typically the best type of internet connection due to fast, symmetrical speeds and minimal buffering or lag. 

CenturyLink also offers DSL internet in rural areas where internet options are limited. DSL is a good option for a reliable and virtually unlimited broadband connection. Check your address to find high-speed internet near you.

Here are more details about the CenturyLink home Wi-Fi no-contract internet plans.

CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit

CenturyLink’s fastest plan is Gigabit internet, featuring symmetrical upload and download speeds of 940 Mbps, allowing you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously with minimal lag. This plan provides the speed you need for activities such as working from home, taking online classes or keeping a network of smart-home devices, including Wi-Fi doorbells, virtual assistants (e.g., Alexa, Google Voice) and security systems, all in sync.

CenturyLink Fiber received a score of 71/100 on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) in 2025.

• Pros: At $75 per month, CenturyLink’s Gigabit plan is the best value for cost per Mbps
• Cons: Like CenturyLink’s other plans, fees make the monthly price of this plan more expensive

CenturyLink Simply Unlimited

CenturyLink’s Simply Unlimited plan uses DSL, or copper wires, to deliver internet signals. While this connection type is an older technology, it provides affordable internet to many hard-to-reach or rural areas across CenturyLink’s coverage areas. 100 Mbps is fast enough for nearly all internet activities, including browsing, downloading, streaming and gaming. It should also be enough to support up to five devices.

CenturyLink’s DSL services were rated 62/100 with the ACSI. 

• Pros: At $55 per month, CenturyLink Simply Unlimited is a cheap option for rural customers
• Cons: Lower speeds may lead to buffering and lag with more than five devices connected

Note: Actual DSL speeds may vary widely and may not meet FCC broadband standards in some areas.

Personal TechPro

Personal TechPro is an optional feature for your CenturyLink plan. For $10 per month, the Personal TechPro team can assist you with almost anything, from setting up and connecting your devices to troubleshooting them. You receive unlimited support for your connected devices, including desktop computers or laptops, phones, home security systems, tablets and more. 

CenturyLink deals and bundles

Although CenturyLink doesn’t offer a promotional rate lock length for its plans, its fiber plans come with the “price for life” guarantee. The price should remain the same as long as your keep your current plan.

Additionally, if you need a landline phone, streaming service, satellite TV or a combination of these, bundling with CenturyLink may save you money. CenturyLink partners with Dish Network and DirecTV to offer TV, streaming and internet deals. CenturyLink also offers internet and home phone bundles. 

Below are popular CenturyLink internet, TV and phone bundles:

• Simply Unlimited Internet + Home Phone Unlimited: $95 per month, download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and phone
• Fiber Gigabit + Home Phone Unlimited: $115 per month, download speeds of up to 940 Mbps and phone
• Fiber Gigabit + Home Phone Unlimited + DirecTV Choice: $185 per month, download speeds of up to 940 Mbps, access to 155+ channels and phone
• Fiber Gigabit + Home Phone Unlimited + Dish America’s Top 120: $200 per month, download speeds of up to 940 Mbps, access to 190+ channels and phone

Prices are accurate as of June 2025

Bundle CenturyLink internet with landline phone

CenturyLink offers stand-alone landline phone service, Simply Unlimited Phone, for $50 per month. Phone plans include unlimited nationwide calling, Caller ID, three-way calling, call forwarding, voicemail and other features. International calling is available at different rates, depending on the country you’re calling. Alternatively, you can add an international calling add-on, with prices varying by location. 

CenturyLink phone plans are not available in all service areas, but if it is available at your address, available bundles include the following:

• Simply Unlimited Internet + Home Phone Unlimited: Starts at $95 per month***
• Fiber Gigabit Internet + Home Phone Unlimited: Starts at $115 per month***

***$10 savings per month over separate plans

Bundle CenturyLink internet with TV

You can bundle your internet with a TV or streaming service — either DirecTV or Dish Network.†

CenturyLink partners with DirecTV for billing, providing you with the convenience of a single monthly statement. Bundle prices range from $84.99 per month for 160 channels to $119.99 for 250+ channels, with a 24-month price guarantee. Streaming services are priced similarly. Without the bundle, DirecTV’s regular price is $139 per month. 

If you choose Dish Network, the internet and TV services are billed separately. Bundle prices range from $91.99 monthly for 190 channels to $121.99 monthly for 290+ channels.

† TV service requires a 24-month agreement, including an early termination fee of $20 for each remaining month of the agreement, plus a $15 monthly advanced receiver service fee.

CenturyLink vs. other internet service providers

Here’s a quick look at how CenturyLink compares with ISPs with similar starting speeds:

• CenturyLink: Speeds of 100 to 940 Mbps starting at $55 per month for the lowest plan
• Quantum: Speeds of 200 to 8,000 Mbps starting at $45 per month for the lowest plan (fiber)
• Spectrum: Speeds of 100 to 1,000 Mbps starting at $30 per month for the lowest plan (cable)

CenturyLink coverage and availability

CenturyLink operates in the following 16 states:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Florida
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Fiber services are available in the following metropolitan areas:

• Boulder, Colorado
• Denver, Colorado
• Fort Myers, Florida
• Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Ocala, Florida
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Orlando, Florida
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Portland, Oregon
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Seattle, Washington
• Spokane, Washington
• Springfield, Missouri
• Tucson, Arizona

CenturyLink customer service

Tech support is available 24/7 via live chat for customers. Phone support is available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• To reach CenturyLink customer service or technical support, please call 1-800-201-4099 
• You can also check online for CenturyLink outages in your area by entering your address
• Troubleshoot common connectivity issues, such as what to do if your Wi-Fi is not working

How to pay your CenturyLink bill

CenturyLink offers multiple payment options, including virtual, in-person and over-the-phone methods. There is a $9.95 surcharge for phone payments, and CenturyLink does not accept payments at retail locations.

CenturyLink charges a $3.50 surcharge for paying with a debit or credit card. (Paying with bank account info does not carry an additional charge.)

• Online with Quick Bill Pay or by logging into your CenturyLink account
• CenturyLink app
• By phone: Automated phone system or speaking with a live agent (surcharge applies)
• By mail with a check or money order. 
• In-person at these Western Union and CheckFreePay® locations 

If you need additional time to pay your bill, CenturyLink offers a payment plan option.

Contributing: Lisa Iscrupe, Hannah Whatley, Allconnect