CenturyLink is a notable DSL and fiber internet provider in 16 states. In Reviews.org’s Fastest Internet Provider report, CenturyLink comes in at number 10 with an average download speed of 105.53Mbps and an average upload speed of 97.36Mbps.

CenturyLink’s fiber internet delivers symmetrical internet speeds. Fiber is fast, reliable, and did we mention fast? CenturyLink offers fiber internet plans with advertised speeds that range from 500Mbps to 940Mbps, although you should expect much slower speeds from a DSL connection. Our rule of thumb: If there’s fiber, get the fiber.

We determined in our CenturyLink review that its internet services are pretty solid for customers, with an overall speed and reliability score of 3.5/5.0.

In 2020, CenturyLink rebranded as Lumen. It still calls some of its internet service CenturyLink, but it also split off some fiber service into Quantum. This is not to be confused with T-Mobile’s newest acquisition of Lumos, T-Mobile’s new fiber partner. 

CenturyLink offers services in 16 states, grouped mostly on the West Coast, some in the Midwest, and only Florida on the East Coast. According to federal broadband data, CenturyLink's DSL internet reaches 9% coverage throughout the United States, while its fiber internet reaches just over 2% of American households.

Some of CenturyLink’s top cities include:

• Cape Coral, Florida
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Rochester, Minnesota
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Denver, Colorado

Not sure if you’re getting fast enough internet speeds from CenturyLink? You may be able to find other options in your area. Run a search with your zip code below.

While speeds aren’t fast everywhere, most customers are still likely to get adequate speeds from CenturyLink where they live.

I recently spoke to three different CenturyLink customers who have used its fiber and cable internet services.

“I think the speeds are good,” says Cai Crawford, a coworker who lives in South Jordan, Utah, describing his 500Mbps plan. He also admits, “There have been times where it’s not always the fastest.”

On the other hand, Samantha H., a West Jordan, Utah, resident, who had the 940 Fiber plan, saw speeds stay around 600Mbps download and 250Mbps upload. “Speeds were always falling short,” she says.

Alternatively, a CenturyLink rep (asking to remain anonymous) located in Idaho uses the 40Mbps DSL option to work from home. “I run 36–38 wireless. 40 when hardwired,” he shares about running regular speed tests. Overall, he tells me he hasn’t had any issues. It’s possible that a CenturyLink rep wants to make the DSL plan look good, but it could also be true that the DSL internet option is reliable.

If you live in a rural area, CenturyLink DSL is one of our honorable mentions in best rural internet providers of 2025. For a flat rate of $55 per month, its up to 140Mbps DSL plan is a great deal.

Here’s an example speed test, thanks to Cai:

Cai says he “felt like a winner seeing the number go so high,” since he thinks speeds typically stay around 200Mbps to 250Mbps.

While CenturyLink's fiber connection is an awesome choice for internet customers, you can't get fiber everywhere. Most of CenturyLink's footprint consists of much slower DSL internet, and if you can only get that in your area, you may be better off with a faster alternative. 

Run a search with your zip code below to see what's available in your area. 

While CenturyLink’s DSL is our editor’s choice for best DSL internet providers, we also recommend Frontier as a great  budget option. It’s a wallet-friendly DSL service available in 29 states. It also offers unlimited data and no contracts (win, win). Frontier has one DSL plan for $64.99 per month, but its download speeds are not guaranteed and depend on your location. Like CenturyLink Fiber, if you can get your hands on Frontier’s Fiber internet, choose it over DSL.

Google Fiber is an obvious alternative to CenturyLink’s Fiber service. While Google Fiber has limited availability, it outranks all the fiber players. We named it our fastest internet provider of 2025, with a fixed plan of $70 per month for 1,000Mbps. (As Cai and Samantha mentioned above, it’s a superb alternative.)

When I explored the federal broadband data, I noticed that Spectrum Fiber also has some overlap with CenturyLink internet. Spectrum offers speeds up to 1,000Mbps, and we recommend its 500Mbps plan at $60 per month.

Trying to stay away from lethargic DSL and cable? No fiber in your area? You can find the T-Mobile 5G network in 49 states with its amazingly expansive coverage. According to federal broadband data, it’s available in more than 60% of American households. We recommend its 5G Rely Internet plan with download speeds of 72—245Mbps.

Look over other internet comparison guides to weigh your options:

• Google Fiber vs. CenturyLink
• Optimum vs. CenturyLink
• CenturyLink vs. Xfinity Internet
• AT&T vs. CenturyLink
• Spectrum vs. CenturyLink
• Cox Internet vs. Centurylink

If CenturyLink Fiber is available to you, its 500Mbps plan is probably more than good enough. “It gets the job done,” says Cai, who uses the CenturyLink Fiber 500 plan to occasionally work from home.

Here’s a quick guide to understand what you can do with different internet speeds:

As a refresher, here’s what you can do with different internet speeds. Generally, 100Mbps allows you to stream, game, and browse all at the same time.

If CenturyLink Fiber is not available to you, we stand by our recommendation that you sign up for the fastest CenturyLink DSL speed in your area (and all CenturyLink DSL plans are priced at $55 per month regardless of speed).

It’s also worth noting that while CenturyLink does not offer bundle discounts, it does offer budget-friendly bundle packages. Check out the cheapest CenturyLink internet plans to see which TV and internet bundles offer the best bang for your buck. Specifically, the DIRECTV packages (one of the best satellite TV providers) offers some epic combinations.

CenturyLink also offers phone services (not mobile services). Believe it or not, human beings still have phones that can only be used while they’re at home (a wild concept indeed). So if that’s something you or a loved one is interested in, be sure to check out its bundles that combine phone and TV services.

The good news is that none of CenturyLink’s internet plans cost more than $75 (though price hikes can and do happen). If you have questions about a rate increase on your CenturyLink bill, be sure to visit its internet rate increase page to find more information.