Quantum Fiber vs. CenturyLink Internet Providers Compared

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Quantum Fiber Vs CenturyLink

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Nov. 10, 2023 / Updated Oct. 9, 2024

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Quantum Fiber Vs CenturyLink

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Plans starting at: $50

Popular Package: Up to 8Gbps

Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

Plans starting at: $50

Popular Package: CenturyLink internet - Up to 940Mbps.

Download speeds up to: 940 Mbps

Connection Types: Fiber & DSL

Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber Staff rating

4.3

Quantum Fiber brings superior internet speeds and reliability at an appealing price

Quantum Fiber is a new, all-fiber brand owned by parent company Lumen Technologies. Lumen is the seventh-largest ISP in the U.S., based on its combined internet service of both all-fiber internet and DSL. In total, Lumen serves about 3 million customers [1]. Quantum Fiber is the all-fiber brand of Lumen. A second DSL-based brand also owned by Lumen is known as CenturyLink. We will review CenturyLink’s DSL service separately, as the two brands are very different in what they offer customers. Quantum Fiber is a very strong choice for internet service that earns good customer satisfaction ratings. If you sign up for Quantum Fiber, you’re going to get lightning-fast speeds and reliable service. Quantum Fiber offers clear, low pricing for gigabit fiber speeds that run up to 8000 Mbps. Fiber speeds will provide you with an internet connection that can handle any use you want from a home internet connection, including heavy streaming and gaming.

PROS

Blazing-fast fiber speeds No data caps Low monthly prices

Cons

Limited availability in rural areas Some connections may be only FTTC Fiber buildout takes time
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink Staff rating

3.3

CenturyLink’s DSL internet has wide coverage but slower speeds

CenturyLink is a DSL internet provider owned by a parent company known as Lumen Technologies. Lumen is the seventh-largest ISP in the U.S., based on its combined internet service in both DSL and fiber. Lumen serves a total of about 3 million customers [1]. CenturyLink is the DSL brand owned by Lumen. The fiber brand of Lumen is now known as Quantum Fiber. This review will focus on the CenturyLink DSL half of the Lumen brand. We will cover Quantum Fiber in a separate review, because the two brands provide very different technologies. If your only available internet is CenturyLink, your DSL connection is likely to be slower than if you have cable or fiber. DSL speed can vary widely depending on your neighborhood and even on the wiring in your home. But CenturyLink, like most DSL companies, will charge you the same price for a slow 10 Mbps download speed as for 100 Mbps download speed. It’s luck of the draw, with no price break for slower service. DSL customers just aren’t getting the same kind of value that fiber customers are getting. And that’s one probable reason that Lumen separated its two brands. Now, it should be easy to tell what you’re getting – mostly.  CenturyLink is DSL, and Quantum Fiber is all-fiber. On websites that still mix the two names, though, the speeds of each plan will often be a giveaway. CenturyLink sold half of its DSL network to Brightspeed in 2022. CenturyLink now has a very unusual coverage footprint: think of it as the Western half of the United States, minus California, plus Florida.

PROS

Consistent prices with no built-in price hikes No data caps for DSL plans DSL is sometimes faster than satellite or fixed wireless, depending on the location

Cons

DSL offers little speed for the money compared to fiber or cable DSL speeds vary widely and are sometimes below broadband speed Customer service gets poor reviews from many customers
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber Pricing

4.5

Great prices for Quantum Fiber plans up to 960 Mbps

Your prices will be good for Quantum Fiber. The first-tier price for all-fiber service will be $50/month for 500 Mbps. With any of the Quantum Fiber plans, you will get the use of a 360 Wi-Fi router for free. Quantum Fiber has no data caps and no required contracts. That means you won’t run into unexpected data overage charges or early termination fees. We like this simple, affordable pricing for fast fiber speeds. It's one of the best deals you’ll find on fiber internet.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink Pricing

3.5

CenturyLink DSL charges high prices for widely varying speeds

DSL is not one of the faster internet technologies on the market. Usually, DSL customers sign up for their plans because there is no cable or fiber internet in their areas. And that can be a valid choice if DSL will give you better performance than satellite internet, though you have to evaluate that on a case-by-case basis. Many times, DSL plans are good options for customers in rural areas. CenturyLink plans are no exception to the general qualities of DSL. You will generally pay around $50 for your DSL package, whether you get 10 Mbps download speed or whether you are lucky enough to get 100 Mbps download speed (very unusual for DSL and true for only 28% of CenturyLink DSL customers) [2]. In better news, CenturyLink’s DSL plans are free of data caps. So, despite the fact that CenturyLink’s DSL prices are high for the speeds, at least you won’t have unexpected data overage charges.
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber Reliability and Performance

4.5

All-fiber internet from Quantum: the latest and greatest technology

Quantum Fiber uses the newest internet technology available. Their fiber-optic lines send data using light signals instead of electricity, and that’s why fiber is so much faster than any other kind of internet technology. An all-fiber connection will give you symmetrical speeds and enough bandwidth to handle any internet activities you choose. If you get a gigabit fiber plan, you can have up to 10 devices doing heavy streaming or real-time games online, and you will still have smooth performance. In some cases, though, Quantum Fiber advises that it may need to run Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC), with the last few feet of line to your house connected with coaxial cable. This is important, because even those few feet of coaxial cable will slow your upload speeds. Most of the time, that will not be the case, and you will get the all-fiber connection known as Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH). But it is important to understand the difference in performance just in case you’re in that small minority that will get an FTTC fiber connection. Even an FTTC connection may still be the fastest internet in your area, though, and a Fiber-to-the-Home connection will definitely be your fastest choice.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink Reliability and Performance

3.0

“But it was so fast in the ‘90s!” DSL shows its age in many locations

CenturyLink DSL uses one of the oldest internet technologies: copper cables originally designed as telephone wire. Only 65% of CenturyLink’s DSL achieves speeds over 25 Mbps, or what the FCC calls “high-speed” internet.  85% of the CenturyLink DSL network is above 10 Mbps. That means a good 15% of CenturyLink’s DSL customers have very slow connections below 10 Mbps [3]. If DSL gives you under 10 Mbps download speed and only 1 Mbps upload speed, you won’t be able to play real-time games online with any kind of reliability. You may also experience glitching if multiple people stream or videoconference at the same time. To be fair, some DSL connections will give you faster speeds. 28% of CenturyLink customers will get 100 Mbps download, and that speed will considerably improve your performance. But if you are considering ordering CenturyLink DSL, make sure you know what your other options are. You can test your actual speed here to see what kind of performance your current internet connection is giving you.

Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.0

Get free use of a  360 Wi-Fi mesh router or use your own router

If you order a fiber plan from Quantum Fiber, both your equipment and installation fee will be included free of extra charge. Keep in mind that equipment fees and prices do change with various promotions, so make sure you check with your customer support rep on current fees when you call. If you use the free router included with your Quantum Fiber plan, you will get their 360 Wi-Fi system. 360 Wi-Fi is a mesh network, which is much more sophisticated than a single modem/router [2]. You will be able to set up extra Wi-Fi Pods to ensure seamless coverage of your entire space, which is especially helpful if you live in a large home or one with thick walls. You will also have the option to use your own router. The only drawback is that Quantum Fiber tech support cannot give service or information for your personal router the way they can support their own equipment.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

3.5

Option to use your own modem/router or self-install your connection

With the CenturyLink DSL plan, there’s a $15 a month modem/router rental fee, which is on the high end of equipment fees. You can avoid the modem/router fee by buying your own. And that might not be a bad plan, given that you will make up the price of a typical modem/router in a year or less. You may have to pay for a professional installation, which is usually a one-time fee of $99. Fortunately, in many places you may also have the option to self-install for $15. It depends whether there is still a working CenturyLink DSL connection in your home.
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber Experience & Support

4.0

Quantum Fiber earns high customer satisfaction ratings

Because the split in branding between Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink DSL is still very recent, we have to interpret customer satisfaction rankings that were previously based on the name “CenturyLink” for both brands. Customer satisfaction is much higher for Quantum Fiber than for the DSL provided by CenturyLink. The American Customer Satisfaction Index shows that split in results by dividing “CenturyLink” specifically into fiber and DSL. Fiber (aka, Quantum Fiber) ranks 16 points higher than the DSL service [3]. For Quantum Fiber, these customer satisfaction rankings tell the story clearly. You are likely to have a great internet experience with Quantum Fiber. To avoid confusion, be aware that there is still a certain amount of online cross-marketing between the two companies. Pay attention to the speeds available, whether your internet source labels it “Quantum Fiber” or “CenturyLink.” If the speed is above 200 Mbps, it is a Quantum Fiber product. If the speed is 100 Mbps or below, it is CenturyLink DSL. Overall, we highly recommend Quantum Fiber for its top-of-the-line speeds and reliability, great pricing, and good customer satisfaction ratings.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink Experience & Support

3.0

CenturyLink runs below average in some satisfaction rankings

CenturyLink’s customer satisfaction rankings vary widely by region on the J.D. Power survey [3]. In the North Central region, CenturyLink ranks above average. In the West, CenturyLink ranks slightly below average, and in the South, CenturyLink is second from last in customer satisfaction. The North Central and West regions where CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber rank higher are also the regions in which Quantum Fiber provides most of its fiber access. The South only includes one state with fiber internet coverage, which means most of that low customer satisfaction rating is based on CenturyLink’s DSL. The American Customer Satisfaction Index confirms that split in results by dividing “CenturyLink” specifically into fiber and DSL. Fiber ranks 16 points higher than the DSL service [4]. For CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber, these customer satisfaction rankings tell the story clearly. CenturyLink’s DSL service is not as likely to please you. However, be aware that there is a certain amount of online cross-marketing between the two companies. So, if CenturyLink says they are able to sell you “fiber” as they seem to imply on their homepage, all that means is that they’re going to send you to a Quantum Fiber plan if your address has fiber availability.

Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BuyCenturyLink.com.
No, but both are owned by the same parent company, Lumen. Quantum Fiber is all-fiber internet with super-fast, symmetrical speeds and unlimited data. CenturyLink internet is an affordable DSL home internet service that offers unlimited data. Both types of internet allow you to work from home, shop online, connect multiple users and devices, and stream movies.
Internet availability may vary depending on your location. To check if CenturyLink DSL or Quantum Fiber internet is available in your area, enter your zip code here at CompareInternet.com. We’ll give you a complete list of providers available in your area.
Yes, both CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber allow you to connect multiple users and devices simultaneously. Whether it's for work, school, or entertainment purposes, you can connect and use multiple devices on the same internet connection. Fiber will give you higher speeds than DSL that may work better for multiple devices.
Yes, Quantum Fiber provides Wi-Fi service. With Wi-Fi, you can enjoy wireless connectivity in your home, allowing you to connect your devices without the need for wired connections. The maximum internet speed available for Wi-Fi may vary depending on your location and your internet plan.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BuyCenturyLink.com.
CenturyLink internet is an affordable DSL home internet service that offers unlimited data. It allows you to work from home, shop online, connect multiple users and devices, and stream movies. There is no annual contract, and the service is available in various speed options.
Internet availability may vary depending on your location. To check if CenturyLink internet is available in your area, enter your zip code here at CompareInternet.com. We’ll give you a complete list of providers available in your area.
CenturyLink offers either professional installation or self-installation for your internet service. Professional installation will carry a higher one-time fee but will be guaranteed to fix any issues as soon as possible. Self-installation will be less expensive and not too complicated with their self-install kit.
Yes, CenturyLink allows you to connect multiple users and devices simultaneously. Whether it's for work, school, or entertainment purposes, you can connect and use multiple devices on the same internet connection. Fiber will give you higher speeds than DSL that may work better for multiple devices.
Yes, CenturyLink provides Wi-Fi service. With Wi-Fi, you can enjoy wireless connectivity in your home, allowing you to connect your devices without the need for wired connections. The maximum internet speed available for Wi-Fi may vary depending on your location and your internet plan.
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber Accolades

Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

Quantum Fiber Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Up To 8GbpsFiber InternetUp to 8,000 Mbps Only $165
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Up To 3GbpsFiber InternetUp to 3,000 Mbps Only $100
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Free Equipment & Free Installation!
Up To 940MbpsFiber InternetUp to 940 Mbps Only $75
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Free Equipment!
Up To 500MbpsFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Free Equipment!
CenturyLink Internet - Up To 940Mbps.Fiber InternetUp to 940 Mbps Only $75
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
CenturyLink Internet - Up To 500Mbps.Fiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
CenturyLink Internet - Up To 140Mbps.DSL InternetUp to 140 Mbps Only $55
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
CenturyLink Internet - Up To 100Mbps.DSL InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $55
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Quantum Fiber Customers Review

4.5
Pricing
4.5
4.5
Reliability & Performance
4.5
4.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.0
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.3
Overall Rating
4.3
Michael L
2.3
from Portland, on October 2024
Customer service is some of the worst I’ve ever seen, the guys that came and installed it talked up and down about how much better this was going to be but the service drops out multiple times a day and watching live tv will require the stream to have to buff multiple times. 90 gig game took over 24 hours to download
Call today & find the best Quantum Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3323

CenturyLink Customers Review

3.5
Pricing
3.5
3.0
Reliability & Performance
3.0
3.5
Equipment, Installation & Features
3.5
3.0
Customer Experience & Support
3.0
3.3
Overall Rating
3.3
Mabel Flores
1.5
from Salt Lake City, on November 2024
Poor customer service and slow, unreliable internet.
Justin F
1.3
from Hoquiam, on October 2024
Worse service EVER! All day everyday the internet goes out.everytime the phone rings the internet goes out.
Caroline A
2.3
from Redmond, on October 2024
While the price is fixed and does not change every month like our last ISP (Comcast), the actual internet is spotty and weak. It is almost impossible to reach a human for customer service.
David Felts F
5.0
from Bastian, VA on August 2023
Love my internet
Tami Shrewsbury S
5.0
from Carlos, MN on August 2023
Service so far has been great
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858