CenturyLink Overall Rating Breakdown

CenturyLink scores 6.0 overall, weighed down by its legacy DSL service which still serves most customers. The Quantum Fiber product is genuinely competitive with consistent speeds and a unique permanent price guarantee. However, DSL customers experience speeds well below modern standards with inconsistent reliability, pulling the overall score down considerably. Customer service remains a persistent area for improvement across both product lines with long hold times and mixed agent quality being common complaints.

What Customers Say About CenturyLink

Speed Consistency

Quantum Fiber customers report solid performance competing with any national fiber provider. Plans at 940 Mbps consistently deliver 850-920 Mbps on wired connections with symmetric uploads excellent for remote work. DSL customers paint a starkly different picture: many report real-world speeds of just 10-30 Mbps even on plans advertised at higher tiers, with frequent speed fluctuations and dropouts during peak evening hours. The performance gap between CenturyLink's fiber and DSL products is among the widest we observe in the industry.

Customer Support Quality

Customer service is CenturyLink's most significant weakness. Hold times regularly exceed 30 minutes during business hours, and customers report difficulty reaching knowledgeable agents. The transition of copper assets in 20 states to Brightspeed has added confusion, with some customers unsure whom to contact. Online chat is available but often routes through scripted flows before reaching a live agent who can actually help resolve the specific issue.

Installation Experience

Fiber installation is professional and typically completed in 2-4 hours by qualified technicians. DSL installations are simpler but can involve outdated equipment. Scheduling delays of 1-3 weeks are common in both cases, particularly in rural areas with limited technician availability. Communication about appointment windows could be improved based on customer feedback.

Billing Transparency

The price-for-life guarantee on Quantum Fiber is CenturyLink's strongest billing feature and the aspect customers praise most consistently. Your rate is locked permanently at your signup price with no annual increases ever. DSL billing is similarly straightforward. There are no hidden fees beyond the stated monthly rate and optional equipment rental costs. This simplicity is refreshing in an industry known for complex promotional billing structures.

Pros and Cons of CenturyLink

How CenturyLink Compares to Other Providers

Choosing an internet provider means weighing speed, price, reliability, and availability against your needs. Here is how CenturyLink measures up against its primary competitors:

AT&T Fiber offers faster speeds (up to 5 Gbps) and a more polished experience, but costs more and lacks price-for-life. CenturyLink wins on long-term value. Xfinity provides faster cable speeds and wider availability, but data caps and annual price increases make CenturyLink fiber more appealing for budget-minded households. Brightspeed inherited CenturyLink's copper in 20 states and is building fiber to upgrade those areas.

Compare plans side by side:

• CenturyLink vs AT&T
• CenturyLink vs Xfinity
• CenturyLink vs Brightspeed

Our Testing Experience with CenturyLink

We tested Quantum Fiber and recorded 900 Mbps down and 880 Mbps up with latency of 7-10ms, on par with AT&T Fiber and other top providers. Our DSL test was far less impressive: 28 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up on a plan rated for 60 Mbps, with latency spiking to 45ms+ during evening peaks when neighborhood utilization increases significantly.

The CenturyLink online portal is basic and primarily useful for bill pay. Wi-Fi from the fiber router was adequate for medium-sized homes up to about 1,800 sq ft. The DSL router is older generation and may benefit from replacement with a modern Wi-Fi 6 router. During our fiber test, we experienced zero outages over seven days. The DSL connection had one brief 15-minute interruption.

Who Should Choose CenturyLink?

CenturyLink is the right pick for specific types of internet users. Based on our research, hands-on testing, and analysis of customer reviews, here are the profiles that benefit most:

• Price-sensitive customers in fiber areas wanting a permanent rate lock with no future increases
• Customers who prioritize simple billing with no annual price hikes or promotional gimmicks
• Light internet users in DSL areas with basic browsing and email needs
• Anyone in Quantum Fiber areas looking for a budget-friendly gigabit option
• Long-term residents who plan to stay at their address and maximize the price-for-life value

If you fit one or more of these profiles, CenturyLink is worth serious consideration. To explore available plans, visit CenturyLink Plans and Pricing.

The Bottom Line on CenturyLink

CenturyLink is a provider of sharp contrasts. Quantum Fiber customers get a genuinely excellent product with the unique price-for-life guarantee no other major provider matches. DSL customers get an aging product increasingly uncompetitive with modern alternatives. If Quantum Fiber is available at your address, the combination of solid speeds, permanent price lock, and no data caps makes it compelling. If only DSL is available, explore T-Mobile Home Internet, Starlink, or check if Brightspeed has fiber upgrades planned for your area.

For a full overview, visit our CenturyLink provider page or compare CenturyLink plans and pricing.