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Quantum Fiber vs. CenturyLink Internet Providers Compared
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Staff rating
4.3
Customers rating
0.0
Plans starting at: $50
Popular Package: Up to 8Gbps
Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps
Connection Types: Fiber
Quantum Fiber Staff Review
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 in 16 states [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 fiber speeds that run up to 960 Mbps, or about 1 Gig. 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
- Some connections may be only Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) rather than Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH)
- Limited availability in rural areas
- $99 installation fee for first-tier plan
Top cities with availability
CenturyLink Staff Review
CenturyLink’s DSL internet has the limitations of an older technology
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. Customer satisfaction for CenturyLink is below average in many places. 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 $50/month 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 is available in 16 states since it sold half of its DSL network to Brightspeed in 2022. It has a very unusual coverage footprint: think of it as the Western half of the United States, minus California and 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
Top cities with availability
CenturyLink Pricing
CenturyLink DSL charges high prices for widely varying speeds
DSL is not one of the more consumer-friendly 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. DSL deals are what you have to take if there’s no better option in town. 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 $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, at least you won’t have unexpected data overage charges.Quantum Fiber Reliability and Performance
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.CenturyLink Reliability and Performance
“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. In some things, age is good. Age brings wisdom to people, depth to a wine, and richness to cheese. But in internet technology, age is usually a negative, and especially when it comes to internet speed. 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, 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 such as the 28% of customers who will get 100 Mbps download, and that 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.Quantum Fiber Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features
Option to use your own modem/router or get 360 Wi-Fi mesh router
If you buy a gigabit fiber plan from Quantum Fiber, you’re not going to have to worry about installation or equipment rental fees, because both will be free for you with a promotional offer. But for Quantum Fiber’s lower-priced plan, you may have to pay for a professional installation, which can run around $99. If you rent or buy your router from Quantum Fiber, 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. But you will also have the option to use your own router. Shopping for a compatible device might save you money over the rental fee. The only drawback is that Quantum Fiber tech support cannot support your personal router the way they can support their own equipment.CenturyLink Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features
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.Quantum Fiber Customer Experience & Support
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, 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.CenturyLink Customer Experience & Support
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.Quantum Fiber FAQ's
Where can I order Quantum Fiber?
To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BuyCenturyLink.com.
Are Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink the same?
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.
Is Quantum Fiber available in my area?
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.
Can I connect multiple users and devices to Quantum Fiber?
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.
Does Quantum Fiber offer Wi-Fi service?
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.
CenturyLinkFAQ's
Where can I order CenturyLink Internet?
To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BuyCenturyLink.com.
What is CenturyLink internet?
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.
Is CenturyLink available in my area?
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.
What is the installation process for CenturyLink internet?
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.
Can I connect multiple users and devices to CenturyLink DSL?
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.
Does CenturyLink offer Wi-Fi service?
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.
Quantum Fiber Sources
[1] Dgtlinfra.com. "Top 125 Internet Providers in the U.S.'' [2] QuantumFiber.com. "Welcome to 360 WiFi." [3] American Customer Satisfaction Index. "Internet Service Providers."CenturyLink Accolades
Quantum Fiber Internet Plans
Plan | Service Type | Download Speed | Monthly Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price for life! Up To 8Gbps | Fiber | Up to 8,000 Mbps | Only $165 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. | |
Price for life! Up To 3Gbps | Fiber | Up to 3,000 Mbps | Only $100 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. | |
Price for life! Free Equipment & Free Installation! Up To 940Mbps | Fiber | Up to 940 Mbps | Only $75 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. | |
Price for life! Free Equipment! Up To 500Mbps | Fiber | Up to 500 Mbps | Only $50 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. |
CenturyLink Internet Plans
Plan | Service Type | Download Speed | Monthly Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink Internet - Up To 940Mbps. Free Equipment! | Fiber | Up to 940 Mbps | Only $75 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. | |
| CenturyLink Internet - Up To 500Mbps. | Fiber | Up to 500 Mbps | Only $50 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. | |
| CenturyLink Internet - Up To 140Mbps. | DSL | Up to 140 Mbps | Only $55 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. | |
| CenturyLink Internet - Up To 100Mbps. | DSL | Up to 100 Mbps | Only $55 /mo. /w No Annual Contract. *Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. |
