CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet, From streaming and gaming, remote work, to the chance of staying in touch with our loved ones-through the internet and its perennial ways of being accessible, the internet is part and parcel of our everyday lives.
Given that there are many internet service providers now, it appears that the choice would be even more problematic. There are two relatively popular ones for having high-speed internet. CenturyLink and Spectrum Internet, offering different advantages that might be appropriate to your location, budget, and needs.
Within this guide, we are going to take a closer look into the CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet comparison. We’ll help determine which one is going to best suit your household or business needs. From speed and performance to customer service and availability, we’ll cover everything.
Who Are CenturyLink and Spectrum?
Before diving into detail, it’s helpful to get familiar with what each company offers and their existence within the market.
CenturyLink Overview
CenturyLink, owned by Lumen Technologies, provides internet plans with different DSL speeds and fiber-optic speeds. The brand is highly recognized for its large support for rural areas, making it more of a choice for suburban and rural residents. Specifically, the Price for Life plan from CenturyLink promises to have the same price when you sign up for the service-which you have for the rest of your life, and therefore it pays well for budget-conscious users who would not wish their prices to rise at any single point in the future.
Spectrum Overview
Spectrum Internet, on the other hand, is one of the largest cable ISPs in the United States, covering internet service to more than 41 states. Spectrum is highly available in urban and suburban areas. Spectrum does not cap its data usage. With competitive speeds and consistent service, this company makes it a very reliable choice for heavy internet usage, such as families, gamers, and streamers.
Battle of the Bands: Fiber, DSL, and Cable Technology
When comparing CenturyLink with Spectrum Internet, the first thing that comes into play is the technology each company uses.
CenturyLink’s DSL and Fiber-Optic Network
- DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): It is available everywhere in rural areas. Centennial is giving out speeds to 100 Mbps depending on location. However, since DSL uses the traditional copper line of the telephone, this is slower compared to cable or fiber, especially for those who dwell farther away.
- Fiber-Optic: Speed is super fast when CenturyLink provides fiber-optic internet, with 940 Mbps. A fiber-optic connection uses light signals to convey data, so it is the gold standard for speed and reliability. The problem is that fiber service is available only in some cities, so rural customers may have to settle for DSL.
Spectrum Cable and Fiber Option’s
- Cable Internet: Spectrum mainly offers cable internet, faster compared to DSL but can become slower when shared through a neighborhood. Yet, with speeds beginning at 200 Mbps and going all the way up to 1 Gbps in certain locations, Spectrum offers some of the fastest options available for homes.
- Fiber: Though Spectrum does offer fiber in some locations, the cable service isn’t nearly as widespread. Much of their customer base will be connected via cable rather than fiber, so speed may vary on a case-by-case basis.
Speed Test: CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet ?
The deciding factor with the choice between CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet is the speed. Here’s a brief download and upload comparison.
CenturyLink Speed
- DSL: CenturyLink’s DSL service is intended for light internet use, with speeds ranging from 20 to 100 Mbps. This is good for general uses like browsing, emailing, and low-definition streaming but may not be enough for multiple devices or 4K streaming.
- Fiber-Optic: Better option for those needing high speed would be CenturyLink’s since it goes up to 940 Mbps. It would be perfect for a gamer, in multi-user houses, or just those needing fast upload for work or video conferencing.
Spectrum Speed
Cable: Spectrum offers cable Internet with a base rate of 200 Mbps, and depending on your area, speeds can reach as high as 1 Gbps. These speeds will be more than enough for the vast majority of houses, making it ideal for streams and games in 4K quality as well as for doing remote work. Cable is still slower and less stable than fiber, but good enough for the average user.
Fiber: Spectrum’s fiber service, if it is available in your area, is also offered at speeds equaling CenturyLink gigabit service, but is less available and depends on where you live.
Comparison of Prices: CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet
Now that we know a little about speed, let’s chat about what really matters for most of us: pricing. Both CenturyLink and Spectrum offer competitive plans, but the pricing structure varies greatly based on technology, where you live, and add-ons.
CenturyLink Pricing
The most attractive feature for CenturyLink is Price for Life. Meaning that the price you sign up for is going to stick for the life of your contract-as long as you do not switch your plan-when you choose to re-up. The DSL plans generally start at around $50, but the fiber-optic ones start at about $65. It gets even more excellent for budget-conscious users who just abhor blind rate increases.
Spectrum Pricing
The base 200 Mbps plan from Spectrum runs about $49.99 for every month. This is very competitive, especially if measured against the speed spectrum offers. However this price is a promotional rate and will increase after 12 months. Spectrum’s gigabit plan runs about $89.99 per month following the promotional period. They also throw in a free modem though do charge a $5 monthly fee on top of this plan for their Wi-Fi service unless you use your own router.
Data Caps and Contracts: Freedom vs. Restrictions
Data caps and contracts are quite an important comparison between CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet.
Data Caps
- CenturyLink: Unlimited data is offered to fiber-optic users, but some DSL plans may include data caps, although that is not so much in recent times. Be sure to read the fine print when you’re setting up your plan in your location.
- Spectrum: Does not enforce any data caps, so you can stream, game, and browse all you want without worrying about some hidden fee for overages. For heavy internet users, it is very helpful to have such a policy.
- CenturyLink: No contract: Internet can be cancelled any time; no early termination fee on the consumer’s end, which is good for renters or one who don’t want to lock oneself in for so long.
- Spectrum: Another significant advantage for customers is that, similar to CenturyLink, Spectrum does not require contracts, which may need to be negotiated or changed in the near future. But do note that Spectrum only applies its promotional pricing for 12 months; after that, the monthly rate will increase.
Customer Service and Reliability: What to Expect
While both ISPs offer competitive services, CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet service from either provider can ultimately be made or broken with good customer support.
Customer Support at CenturyLink
CenturyLink received bad reviews about its customer support. Many customers complained that they had to stand in line for their problems to be solved and that the problem is not being solved, especially those in rural areas where no available technicians. However, CenturyLink also supports their customers. Online chat, phone, and social media are also included.
Customer Support at Spectrum
Spectrum, being a bigger provider, has 24/7 customer support across multiple channels including phone, chat, and social media. Not immune to complaints, Spectrum’s larger network allows faster service in urban and suburban areas. If your support personnel are quicker to answer you so be it; however, in terms of ISPs, the quality of the service will vary based on your location.
Availability: Urban vs. Rural Reach
Where you reside may be the determining factor when it comes to CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet. Both companies have service areas that will vary in terms of location; therefore, availability might be the most significant difference.
CenturyLink: CenturyLink’s DSL is available in much of the rural regions throughout the U.S. making it one of the few high-speed options for areas outside the major city centers. However, their fiber-optic service is limited to some select cities only.
Spectrum: Spectrum has a broader coverage area, especially in cities and suburbs. It covers more densely populated areas at faster cable speeds. You are likely to get better coverage if you stay in a city or a suburb adjacent to a city.
Conclusion: CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet
The comparison between CenturyLink vs Spectrum Internet cannot be done outright. It would depend on your priorities. You can only decide which one is the most important for you – be it speed, availability, stability of price, or flexibility.
For those who prioritize simple pricing, you should consider CenturyLink when living in a rural area where they have DSL. Their fiber-optic plans are competitive, so if you live in the city, those are very good options.
Speed: Spectrum offers really fast internet, no data caps, and reliable service. That is why Spectrum is a great option for city or suburb living. Its high speed and wide availability make it a good choice for families, gamers, or any other user that depends on internet speed for work or play.
In conclusion, both ISPs have their merits, and they weigh out to ensure that you get the right internet service. Whether you like the price, the speed, or customer service, each of these services could provide you with the high-speed internet you need to stay connected.
