What Brightspeed customers in IL actually get

Brightspeed Internet in Illinois

Brightspeed is a telecommunications company that acquired CenturyLink's (now Lumen Technologies) consumer operations in 20 states across the Midwest and Southeast in October 2022. In Illinois, Brightspeed provides both DSL and fiber internet service to residential and small business customers. The company inherited an extensive copper-wire DSL network. Has committed to an aggressive fiber-optic buildout program, investing over $2 billion to bring fiber internet to millions of households by 2026.

For Illinois residents in Brightspeed's service territory, fiber plans deliver symmetrical download. Upload speeds up to 940 Mbps, making them competitive with major national providers. Where fiber has not yet been deployed, Brightspeed continues to maintain DSL service with speeds up to 100 Mbps, though many addresses currently receive 20 to 80 Mbps depending on distance from the nearest central office. The transition from legacy CenturyLink infrastructure to Brightspeed's modernized network is ongoing throughout Illinois.

Brightspeed Plans & Pricing in Illinois

Brightspeed offers a straightforward lineup of internet plans in Illinois, differentiated primarily by the technology available at your address. Fiber plans deliver faster, more reliable service at competitive prices, while DSL plans provide affordable connectivity where fiber construction has not yet reached. No annual contracts are required on any Brightspeed plan, giving customers the flexibility to change or cancel without early termination fees.

All Brightspeed plans include unlimited data with no usage caps or throttling. Equipment is available for lease at $10 per month, or customers can use their own compatible router. Brightspeed occasionally offers promotional pricing including the first month free or waived installation fees for new fiber customers in Illinois. The fiber plans include a Wi-Fi 6 router that supports the latest wireless standards for better whole-home coverage.

Brightspeed Coverage in Illinois

Brightspeed's coverage in Illinois is concentrated in areas that were formerly served by CenturyLink's consumer broadband division. This includes both urban and suburban neighborhoods as well as many smaller towns and rural communities. The company's fiber expansion program is prioritizing markets in Illinois where demand for high-speed internet is greatest. Where existing DSL infrastructure is most in need of replacement.

Approximately 12% of Illinois's population lives in rural areas, and Brightspeed's ongoing fiber buildout aims to bring modern broadband to many of these underserved communities. However, fiber availability varies significantly by address. Residents in Illinois's larger cities and suburbs within Brightspeed's territory are most likely to have fiber available today. While customers in more remote areas may still be limited to DSL service until the fiber expansion reaches their neighborhood. You can check your specific address for Brightspeed availability using the tools linked at the bottom of this page.

Installation & Equipment

Brightspeed offers both professional installation and self-installation options for Illinois customers, depending on the service type. For new fiber connections, a professional technician visit is typically required to install the fiber-optic terminal (ONT) at your home and activate the service. This installation is often included free of charge for new customers during promotional periods and usually takes one to two hours.

For DSL service, many Illinois customers can opt for a self-install kit that includes a modem, router, cables, and step-by-step instructions. The kit ships to your address and most customers can complete the setup in 30 minutes or less. Brightspeed's support team is available by phone to assist with any issues during the self-installation process.

The standard fiber equipment includes a Wi-Fi 6 gateway that combines the modem. Router into a single device, delivering strong wireless coverage for homes up to approximately 2,000 square feet. For larger homes, Brightspeed offers mesh Wi-Fi extenders as an add-on to eliminate dead zones. All equipment comes with a 12-month warranty and can be replaced at no additional charge if it malfunctions during the lease period.

Brightspeed vs. Other Internet Providers in Illinois

In Illinois, Brightspeed competes with several other internet service providers depending on the specific area. Cable providers like Spectrum, Xfinity. Cox often serve overlapping territories, typically offering download speeds of 200 to 1,200 Mbps at prices ranging from $50 to $100 per month. Brightspeed's fiber plans are highly competitive on price, often undercutting cable competitors while delivering symmetrical speeds that cable cannot match.

Compared to AT&T Fiber, which also serves portions of Illinois, Brightspeed offers similar speeds at comparable price points. The key differentiator is availability: Brightspeed fiber. AT&T Fiber rarely overlap in the same neighborhoods, so most Illinois residents will only have access to one fiber provider. For addresses still limited to Brightspeed DSL, the service faces stiffer competition from cable providers that can deliver significantly faster speeds over their existing coaxial networks.

For rural Illinois residents outside both Brightspeed's. Cable providers' service areas, satellite internet from Starlink (50-220 Mbps, $120/mo) or fixed wireless from T-Mobile 5G Home Internet (33-245 Mbps, $50/mo) may be available alternatives. While these wireless options cannot match fiber's reliability. Symmetrical speeds, they can provide a meaningful upgrade over Brightspeed DSL in areas where fiber deployment has not yet arrived.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brightspeed available in Illinois?

Yes, Brightspeed provides internet service in portions of Illinois that were formerly part of CenturyLink's consumer broadband territory. Availability varies by address: some locations can get fiber internet with speeds up to 940 Mbps, while others are currently limited to DSL service. Check your specific address using the availability tools linked below to see which plans are offered at your location.

How fast is Brightspeed internet in Illinois?

Brightspeed fiber delivers download and upload speeds up to 940 Mbps (1 Gig plan) or 2,000 Mbps (2 Gig plan) in Illinois. DSL service provides download speeds up to 100 Mbps, though actual speeds depend on your distance from the nearest central office. Most DSL customers experience speeds between 20 and 80 Mbps. Fiber speeds are symmetrical, meaning upload speeds match download speeds.

Does Brightspeed require a contract?

No, Brightspeed does not require annual contracts on any of its internet plans in Illinois. All plans are month-to-month, and you can cancel at any time without paying an early termination fee. This applies to both fiber and DSL service. Equipment lease fees stop when you return the hardware.

Is Brightspeed the same as CenturyLink?

Brightspeed acquired CenturyLink's consumer internet operations in 20 states, including Illinois, in October 2022. While the network infrastructure is largely the same, Brightspeed is a separate company with its own branding, customer service, and fiber expansion plans. Existing CenturyLink customers in Illinois were automatically transitioned to Brightspeed billing and support.

Cities Served by Brightspeed in Illinois

Brightspeed serves residents across 50+ communities in Illinois. The following are among the largest cities in the state where Brightspeed coverage is available:

• Chicago, IL (pop. 2.7M)
• Aurora, IL (pop. 201K)
• Naperville, IL (pop. 150K)
• Rockford, IL (pop. 148K)
• Joliet, IL (pop. 148K)
• Peoria, IL (pop. 115K)
• Springfield, IL (pop. 114K)
• Elgin, IL (pop. 112K)
• Bloomington, IL (pop. 90K)
• Waukegan, IL (pop. 89K)
• Champaign, IL (pop. 88K)
• Cicero, IL (pop. 84K)

Coverage availability varies by address within each city. Use our availability checker to confirm Brightspeed service at your specific location in Illinois.

Brightspeed Coverage Details in Illinois

Illinois has a large, diverse market ranging from the densely connected Chicago metro to underserved downstate communities. Here is how Brightspeed's network technology and coverage break down across the state.

Technology breakdown in Illinois:

• Fiber (FTTH) — Available in select Illinois neighborhoods where Brightspeed has completed its fiber buildout. Delivers symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps with ultra-low latency, ideal for remote work and streaming.
• DSL — The legacy copper-wire network inherited from CenturyLink covers a broader footprint in Illinois. Speeds range from 20 Mbps to 100 Mbps depending on distance from the central office. While slower than fiber, DSL provides a reliable wired connection.

Across the metro areas we track in Illinois, Brightspeed (including legacy CenturyLink infrastructure) averages approximately 35.6% coverage in served CBSAs. Fiber availability is expanding rapidly as Brightspeed invests over $2 billion in network upgrades through 2026.

How Brightspeed Compares in Illinois

In Illinois, Brightspeed's primary competition comes from HughesNet (Satellite) and Starlink. Where Brightspeed fiber is available, it competes directly on speed and price with cable and fiber alternatives. In DSL-only areas, customers may find faster speeds from cable or fixed wireless competitors, though Brightspeed's no-contract policy and fiber expansion roadmap remain differentiators.

Provider availability and coverage vary by address. Compare plans for your location using our availability checker.

The Illinois Broadband Landscape

Illinois's broadband market includes approximately 14 major providers competing across the state's metro and rural areas. With a combined urban population of 6.1M across tracked cities, Illinois represents a significant market where Brightspeed's fiber expansion investment directly addresses growing demand for high-speed symmetrical internet. The transition from legacy CenturyLink DSL to Brightspeed fiber is reshaping the competitive landscape in communities across Illinois.

For a complete overview of all internet options in Illinois, including current pricing and availability by city, visit our Illinois Internet Providers guide.

Brightspeed Fiber Buildout Progress in Illinois

Since acquiring CenturyLink's consumer operations in October 2022, Brightspeed has committed over $2 billion to building a modern fiber-optic network across its 20-state footprint. Illinois is part of this ambitious buildout program that aims to bring gigabit-capable fiber internet to millions of households by 2026.

Illinois is a key market for Brightspeed's fiber expansion, with the company targeting suburban communities in the Chicago metro area and downstate population centers like Springfield and Peoria. The state's existing utility infrastructure and relatively flat central geography support efficient fiber deployment.

To check whether Brightspeed fiber has reached your Illinois address, enter your location on the Brightspeed availability page. Even if fiber is not yet available, Brightspeed's DSL service continues to operate, and fiber construction may be scheduled for your area in upcoming deployment phases.

Installation & Equipment in Illinois

Brightspeed offers both professional installation and self-installation options for Illinois customers, depending on the service type and your address.

• Fiber installation — New fiber connections in Illinois require professional installation to run the fiber-optic line to your home and install the Optical Network Terminal (ONT). Installation is typically scheduled within 5-10 business days of ordering and takes 2-4 hours. There is no installation fee for standard fiber setups.
• DSL self-install — For DSL service, Brightspeed ships a self-install kit to your Illinois address. The kit includes a modem/router, Ethernet cable, and phone-line filters. Most customers complete setup in under 30 minutes following the included instructions or Brightspeed app guidance.
• Equipment options — Brightspeed charges $10 per month to lease their WiFi router. Illinois customers can also use their own compatible router to avoid the monthly fee. Fiber customers need the Brightspeed-provided ONT regardless of router choice.

Brightspeed's Illinois customer support is available by phone and online chat for installation assistance and ongoing technical troubleshooting.

Brightspeed in Illinois: Additional FAQs

Related Internet Resources

• Brightspeed Internet — Full Provider Review
• Browse All Internet Providers
• Best Fiber Internet Providers
• Check Internet Availability at Your Address
• Illinois Internet Providers