Quick Answer: CenturyLink Fiber Wins Where Available, Cox Elsewhere
CenturyLink (now branded Quantum Fiber) delivers superior value where fiber is available with symmetrical speeds up to 940 Mbps, "Price for Life" guarantee, no data caps, and no contracts starting at $30/month. However, most CenturyLink territories still have legacy DSL with dramatically slower speeds, making Cox the better choice in non-fiber CenturyLink areas and all Cox-exclusive markets.
Call Cox at 1-855-342-0684 to check availability.
Cox Internet vs CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber): Complete 2026 Comparison
| Feature | Cox Internet | CenturyLink Quantum Fiber |
|---|---|---|
| Max Download Speed | 2,000 Mbps | 940 Mbps (fiber only) |
| Starting Price | $50/month | $30/month |
| Data Cap | 1.25 TB | None (fiber) |
| Contract Required | Often yes | No |
| Price Guarantee | 1-2 year promo period | Price for Life (fiber) |
| Technology | Cable, select fiber | Fiber, DSL |
Cox Internet: Established Cable Leader
Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Atlanta, Cox serves 6.5 million customers across 18 states with cable and select fiber infrastructure. Their DOCSIS 3.1 network delivers consistent speeds from 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps with Panoramic WiFi 6 equipment and comprehensive bundle options.
Cox Plans and Pricing
Cox offers Essential 100 Mbps ($50/mo), Preferred 500 Mbps ($70-80/mo), Ultimate 1 Gbps ($100-110/mo), and Gigablast 2 Gbps ($120-150/mo). All include 1.25 TB data cap with $10 per 50 GB overage or $50/mo unlimited upgrade. Equipment rental $11-14/mo.
Pros of Cox
- Consistent cable performance: Reliable speeds across entire footprint
- Fast maximum speeds: Up to 2 Gbps in select markets
- Wide availability: 18 states, 6.5M households
- Advanced equipment: Panoramic WiFi 6 gateway
- Comprehensive bundles: TV, phone, security packages
Cons of Cox
- Data cap: 1.25 TB with costly unlimited upgrade
- Contracts common: 1-2 years for promotional pricing
- Price increases: $20-40/mo jump after promos
- Higher entry price: $50/mo starting point
Call Cox at 1-855-342-0684 for availability verification.
CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber): Fiber with Price for Life
CenturyLink (now Lumen Technologies) operates under the Quantum Fiber brand for residential services. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Monroe, Louisiana, the company serves customers across 37 states with a mix of modern fiber (940 Mbps symmetrical) and legacy DSL (1-100 Mbps). The fiber footprint is expanding but remains limited compared to total service territory.
CenturyLink Quantum Fiber Plans
Fiber markets offer 200 Mbps ($30/mo), 500 Mbps ($50/mo), and 940 Mbps ($65/mo) with "Price for Life" guarantee, no data caps, no contracts, and symmetrical upload/download. DSL areas offer 1-100 Mbps ($30-60/mo) depending on distance from central office. Equipment rental $15/mo or use own modem.
Pros of CenturyLink Fiber
- Price for Life guarantee: No promotional rate increases
- Symmetrical fiber speeds: Equal upload/download performance
- No data caps: Unlimited usage on fiber
- No contracts: Month-to-month flexibility
- Lower pricing: $30-65/mo for fiber tiers
Cons of CenturyLink
- Limited fiber availability: Most areas still on DSL
- DSL extremely slow: 1-100 Mbps inadequate for modern use
- Customer service issues: Consistently poor satisfaction ratings
- Complex service map: Fiber vs DSL availability highly address-specific
Speed Comparison: Technology Determines Winner
Cox delivers consistent cable speeds across their entire 18-state footprint with every address capable of at least 100 Mbps and most areas offering up to 1-2 Gbps. Upload speeds range from 10-35 Mbps on cable infrastructure, scaling higher on select fiber deployments. This consistency means Cox customers receive predictable performance regardless of specific location within served markets.
CenturyLink's speed offering depends entirely on local infrastructure. Quantum Fiber markets receive symmetrical speeds from 200/200 to 940/940 Mbps—dramatically superior to Cox cable for upload-intensive tasks like video conferencing, content creation, and cloud backup. However, the majority of CenturyLink territories still rely on legacy DSL delivering 1-100 Mbps depending on distance from the central office, making them far slower than Cox.
The critical question is fiber availability at your exact address. CenturyLink Fiber beats Cox cable for symmetrical performance, but CenturyLink DSL loses decisively to Cox cable. Check your specific address technology before comparing—fiber makes CenturyLink competitive, DSL makes Cox the obvious choice.
Pricing Breakdown: CenturyLink Fiber Offers Better Value
CenturyLink Fiber's "Price for Life" guarantee provides exceptional long-term value at $30/mo for 200 Mbps, $50/mo for 500 Mbps, and $65/mo for 940 Mbps—these rates never increase. Compare this to Cox's $50/mo starting point that jumps $20-40/mo after promotional periods. Over a 5-year period, CenturyLink Fiber saves hundreds to thousands compared to Cox's escalating rates.
CenturyLink Fiber also includes unlimited data at no extra charge, while Cox's 1.25 TB cap requires many households to pay an additional $50/mo for unlimited. This data policy difference adds $600 annually in favor of CenturyLink for heavy users. Equipment costs are similar at $11-15/mo for both providers unless using customer-owned modems.
However, CenturyLink DSL pricing ($30-60/mo for 1-100 Mbps) offers poor value compared to Cox's faster cable speeds. The pricing advantage only applies in CenturyLink Fiber markets with modern infrastructure.
Coverage & Availability: Cox More Consistent, CenturyLink Wider but Variable
Cox serves approximately 6.5 million households across 18 states (Arizona, Nevada, California, Louisiana, Virginia, Nebraska, Kansas, Ohio, and others) with relatively consistent cable availability throughout served markets. CenturyLink operates across 37 states with much wider geographic reach but highly variable service quality—fiber in select metros, DSL in most areas. Cox's smaller but more consistent footprint often delivers better real-world access to modern speeds.
Contract Terms & Fees: CenturyLink Offers Flexibility
CenturyLink Fiber provides contract-free service with no early termination fees, allowing cancellation anytime. Cox typically requires 1-2 year contracts for promotional pricing with $120-240 ETF if canceling early. Installation costs are comparable at $75-100 for both providers. CenturyLink's combination of no contracts and Price for Life creates superior flexibility compared to Cox's escalating post-promotional pricing locked behind contracts.
Which Provider Should You Choose?
Choose CenturyLink Quantum Fiber if you:
- Have confirmed CenturyLink Fiber availability at your specific address (critical)
- Want symmetrical upload speeds for video conferencing, content creation
- Value Price for Life guarantee with no rate increases
- Prioritize unlimited data with no caps
- Want contract-free flexibility
Choose Cox Internet if you:
- Have CenturyLink DSL (not fiber) as the only alternative
- Need faster maximum speeds up to 2 Gbps
- Live in Cox service area without CenturyLink Fiber access
- Want comprehensive bundles with TV, phone, security
- Value established provider with consistent performance
The Bottom Line
CenturyLink Fiber delivers superior value where available with symmetrical speeds, Price for Life, no caps, and no contracts. However, Cox wins in all CenturyLink DSL areas (the majority of CenturyLink territories) where legacy copper cannot compete with modern cable speeds. Check CenturyLink technology at your exact address before deciding—fiber makes them the winner, DSL makes Cox the clear choice.
Call Cox at 1-855-342-0684 to check availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CenturyLink Fiber better than Cox?
Yes, CenturyLink Fiber offers superior value with symmetrical 940 Mbps speeds, Price for Life guarantee, no data caps, no contracts, and lower pricing ($30-65/mo) compared to Cox's asymmetric cable, data caps, contracts, and higher prices. However, CenturyLink Fiber is only available in select markets—most CenturyLink areas still have slow DSL that cannot compete with Cox.
Does CenturyLink have data caps?
No, CenturyLink Fiber includes unlimited data with no caps or overage fees. This contrasts with Cox's 1.25 TB monthly limit and $50/mo unlimited upgrade. CenturyLink DSL policies may vary by market. The unlimited data on CenturyLink Fiber saves heavy users $600 annually compared to Cox.
What is CenturyLink's Price for Life?
Price for Life is CenturyLink Fiber's guarantee that your monthly rate never increases as long as you maintain service. Pay $30/mo for 200 Mbps, $50/mo for 500 Mbps, or $65/mo for 940 Mbps without promotional expiration or rate hikes. This contrasts with Cox's promotional pricing that increases $20-40/mo after initial 12-month period.
Which is faster, Cox or CenturyLink?
Cox offers faster maximum download speeds at 2 Gbps vs CenturyLink Fiber's 940 Mbps. However, CenturyLink Fiber provides dramatically faster uploads with 940 Mbps symmetrical vs Cox cable's 10-35 Mbps. For upload-intensive tasks, CenturyLink Fiber is functionally faster despite lower download ceiling. CenturyLink DSL (1-100 Mbps) is much slower than Cox.
Is CenturyLink the same as Quantum Fiber?
Quantum Fiber is CenturyLink's consumer brand name for fiber internet service. The company (now Lumen Technologies) uses "CenturyLink" for legacy DSL services and "Quantum Fiber" for modern fiber offerings. They're the same company with different branding for different technology tiers.
Where is CenturyLink Fiber available?
CenturyLink Fiber is available in select metro areas across approximately 16 states including parts of Arizona, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, and others. Total fiber footprint is limited—most CenturyLink territories still have DSL. Availability is highly address-specific even within served cities.
Which has better customer service?
Neither provider excels in customer service. CenturyLink consistently ranks near the bottom in J.D. Power satisfaction surveys, while Cox performs near industry average. Both receive frequent complaints about billing issues, service reliability in some markets, and support responsiveness. Customer service should not be a deciding factor between these providers.
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