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CenturyLink vs. Optimum Internet Providers Compared

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CenturyLink Vs Optimum

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Rosslyn Elliott

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

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CenturyLink Vs Optimum

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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 Fiber Internet

Download speeds up to: 8 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

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

Optimum Staff rating

3.5

Optimum features good speeds but poor customer satisfaction scores

Optimum is a major national cable internet provider. Most of Optimum’s 4.4 million subscribers receive cable internet service [7]. But the ISP is also adding some all-fiber connections in select markets--most prominently in the Northeast [8]. Optimum is the internet brand name of Altice USA, which rebranded the company formerly called Suddenlink into the Optimum brand in 2022 [1]. Altice/Optimum is the 6th-largest ISP in the nation [2]. Optimum seems to check off all the right boxes for many of its offerings. You will have no data caps and no required contracts with Optimum internet plans. You will also get free equipment rental included with your monthly plan price. And Optimum’s prices are good (at least while the promotions last). So why are Optimum’s national customer satisfaction scores so low? We’ll check into that as we give you an overview of what to expect from an Optimum internet connection.

PROS

Gigabit download speeds No data caps or contracts 5-year price lock on select plans

Cons

Poor customer satisfaction scores Slower upload speeds for cable than all-fiber Price hikes after promo rates

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

Optimum Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
$50 Prepaid Visa Card Included
8 Gig Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 8,000 Mbps Only $90
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
$50 Prepaid Visa Card Included
2 Gig Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $60
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
$50 Prepaid Visa Card Included
1 Gig Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
5-year price lock
500 Mbps Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $40
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
5-year price lock
300 Mbps Fiber InternetFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356

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

Optimum FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit OptimumSavings.com.
No, Optimum does not impose data caps on any of its internet plans. You will have unlimited data on both cable internet and fiber internet plans from Optimum.
Optimum offers a free internet speed upgrade service to loyal customers, providing faster speeds and better value without changing the current price.
Optimum provides two options for renting a modem: one includes tech support and equipment replacement, while the other option is for purchasing a compatible modem.
To explore different speed options for your Optimum Internet service, you can enter your zip code here at CompareInternet.com to see what plans are available in your area.
Optimum offers savings on monthly bills through their Internet + Mobile Savings program, allowing customers to save up to $30/month by combining Optimum Internet and Optimum Mobile services.
Only Optimum Mobile and Optimum Internet customers are eligible for the Internet + Mobile Savings program offered by Optimum.
Call today & find the best Optimum internet deals
1-833-337-0356