Learn about our compensation methodology.
Stop overpaying for internet - Find exclusive discounts and rewards in your area.
Gift Card Use code: KALA & receive a $50 gift card with your order!

CenturyLink vs. Fidium Fiber Internet Providers Compared

You are currently comparing:

CenturyLink Vs Fidium Fiber

Change providers
Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated Aug. 18, 2026

You are currently comparing:

CenturyLink Vs Fidium Fiber

Change providers

Plans starting at: $50

Popular Package: CenturyLink internet - Up to 940Mbps.

Download speeds up to: 940 Mbps

Connection Types: Fiber & DSL

Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Plans starting at: $30

Popular Package: 1 Gig

Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

CenturyLink Staff rating

3.3

CenturyLink’s DSL internet has wide coverage but slower speeds

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. 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 price 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 sold half of its DSL network to Brightspeed in 2022. CenturyLink now has a very unusual coverage footprint: think of it as the Western half of the United States, minus California, 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

Fidium Fiber Staff rating

4.3

Fidium Fiber offers good pricing and fast fiber.

Fidium Fiber launched as a residential fiber brand in late 2021 under parent company Consolidated Communications. In September 2025, Consolidated Communications completed a major transformation by uniting all its residential, business, and wholesale operations under the single Fidium brand [1,2], effectively retiring the Consolidated Communications name for customer-facing services. Fidium now represents all the company's fiber-based solutions nationwide and serves more than 75 percent of its broadband customers [2,3]. Available in more than 700 communities [2,3], Fidium currently operates in 8 states: California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont [1]. The company offers competitive pricing across all plans, with their lowest-priced residential plan starting at 300 Mbps and maximum speeds reaching 8 Gbps. A Wi-Fi 6 gateway rental is included in the monthly fee, and Fidium requires no contracts or data caps. The company has invested approximately $1.7 billion in fiber infrastructure since 2020 and earned recognition as one of the nation's top 10 fiber networks by route miles [2,3]. The company is on track to reach more than 80 percent of its footprint with fiber within the next few years [1,2]. This expansion strategy continues to prioritize underserved communities, particularly in rural areas where high-speed internet options have historically been limited, differentiating Fidium from providers that focus primarily on dense urban markets. The unified Fidium brand now encompasses three service lines: Fidium Fiber for residential customers, Fidium Business for commercial clients, and Fidium Wholesale for carrier and infrastructure providers. Searchlight Capital acquired the company in late 2024 and is undergoing a leadership transition, with current COO Gaurav Juneja set to become CEO in early 2026 [4].

PROS

Great prices including an “essential” plan priced for smaller budgets Fast symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gigs Brings high speed internet to rural and metro markets

Cons

Only available in 8 states Occasional complaints about service interruptions Mixed user reviews for customer service

CenturyLink Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
Free Installation! WiFi equipment provided.
CenturyLink Internet - Up To 940Mbps.Fiber InternetUp to 940 Mbps Only $75
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
CenturyLink Internet - Up To 500Mbps.Fiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
CenturyLink Internet - Up To 100Mbps.DSL InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $55
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Fidium Fiber Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
1 mo FREE + Professional Install!
8 GigFiber InternetUp to 8,000 Mbps Only $130
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
1 mo FREE + Professional Install!
5 GigFiber InternetUp to 5,000 Mbps Only $90
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
1 mo FREE + Professional Install!
2 GigFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $70
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
1 mo FREE + Professional Install!
1 GigFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
FREE Professional Install!
300 MbpsFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

CenturyLink FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit BuyCenturyLink.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Call today & find the best CenturyLink internet deals
1-833-943-6858

Fidium Fiber FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit FidiumFiberSavings.com.
Gigabit internet refers to extremely fast internet speeds. Fidium Fiber internet offers upload and download speeds of up to [prov-hiprsp nation="yes" provider="fidium-fiber"] megabits per second. This means you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, smooth gaming, seamless video calls, and speedy software updates for your devices.
Gigabit internet is worth it if you have multiple devices connected to your network, work or take classes online, make video calls, provide tech support for your family's internet issues, have gamers or social media influencers in your household, or use smart home devices. Gigabit fiber internet from Fidium Fiber offers faster speeds, increased reliability, and unlimited virtual bandwidth, making it an excellent choice for those seeking optimal internet performance.
Modifying your Fidium Fiber service is simple. You can easily upgrade, change, or move your service by contacting the Fidium Fiber Insider Portal, which helps you with your billing and services. They will assist you in making the necessary changes to meet your specific needs.
If you encounter any service issues or want to report an outage in your area, Fidium Fiber offers quick assistance. You can reach out to their support team through provided channels online or by phone to report the service issue or outage.
A dedicated fiber internet connection offers numerous benefits. It provides faster speeds and increased reliability compared to other types of internet connections. With fiber internet, you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, lag-free gaming, and quick downloads/uploads. Additionally, fiber-optic connections are less susceptible to interference and offer higher bandwidth capacity, making them ideal for businesses that rely on seamless online operations.
The Attune™ Wi-Fi App allows you to easily manage your network and connected devices. You can explore various settings and features within the app, such as network access customization, speed tests for accurate results, creating profiles to manage household devices, setting up advanced security features, implementing parental controls, blocking or approving websites, troubleshooting connection issues, and reporting service issues or outages. The app provides a user-friendly interface for convenient network management.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193