Complete Guide to Fiber Optic Internet: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Wondering what fiber optic internet is? Learn what it is, how it works, and which service providers offer it so you know which ones to go for.

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Complete Guide to Fiber Optic Internet: What Is It and How Does It Work?

Complete Guide to Fiber Optic Internet: What Is It, How Does It Work?


Across the United States, almost 350 million people are internet users. This is 94.6% of the country's population!

Obviously, it's vital for us to get online, especially those who have digitally-heavy work and/or hobbies. For most, regular broadband internet is adequate, but for others, they need something much faster. For that, there's fiber optic internet.

What is fiber optic internet? How does it compare to other types of internet? And which internet service providers (ISPs) have fiber optic available?

In this article, we'll discuss the answer to all these questions and more, including what the top service providers are in the US.

What Is Fiber Optic Internet?

What is a fiber optic internet connection? Well, as you can guess from the name, this is a type of internet that uses fiber optics to relay internet signals.

You know how they say something goes at the speed of light? This is the reason why fiber internet is the fastest internet available to us right now.

While the fastest fiber optic internet on record is 255 Tbps (you can download a 1 GB movie in 31.25 microseconds!), you certainly won't get speeds like that with commercial service. In general, you can expect to get download speeds of 1,000 Gbps, which is still miles better than other types of internet.

This technology is cutting-edge, which means you won't find it everywhere, as it takes a huge investment on the ISP's part. In addition, expect to pay much higher prices when compared to other internet services.

How Does Fiber-Optic Internet Work?

With fiber optic internet, you connect through fiber optic cables. Normally, other types of broadband internet use copper wires.

Why fiber optics works so much better than copper is because of the fact that it uses light. Not only can it travel over long distances with very little attenuation, but it also doesn't suffer from distortion. As a result, this means you don't get a significant weakening of the signal, no matter how long the fiber optic cable is.

On the other hand, copper wires have been used for telecommunications ever since telephones were invented. These copper wires can transmit signals quite decently.

But as you may have guessed, they're much more susceptible to attenuation and distortion. This is why if you've ever gotten cable or DSL internet before, where you lived affected your signal greatly.

Fiber Optic Internet Compared to Other Types of Internet

Now that you know how fiber optic internet works, let's take a look at how it compares to the other types of broadband internet. They include DSL, cable, fixed wireless, and satellite internet.

DSL Internet

DSL internet is one of the most commonly used types of high-speed internet. To get a connection, signals are transmitted through telephone wires. This means that if you're located near a switching station, you'll be able to get very fast speeds with DSL.

Because DSL internet uses telephone wires that are currently unused, you don't have to worry about it taking up your landline. This was the biggest problem that came with its predecessor: dial-up internet. With DSL, you can get online and talk on the phone simultaneously.

Compared to fiber optic internet, it's much slower. However, out of the list of options here, it's one of the quickest.

Cable Internet

Cable internet is also a major contender for the most popular type of internet that's used around the world. This is because like with DSL, it provides the quickest speeds (excluding fiber optic internet).

With this type of internet, you get online through signals sent through coaxial cables. This same cable can be used for TV, which is why with cable ISPs, they usually let you bundle services like internet, TV, and phone.

These coaxial cables need to first be laid before customers can get service, so typically, you can only find this service in more urban areas.

Fixed Wireless Internet

While most people prefer DSL or cable internet, these services may not always be available. This is especially true for more rural locations.

In that case, you have the choice of fixed wireless internet. Instead of using a modem to receive signals (as you would with the other 2), you connect through internet signals that are transmitted through radiowaves.

While speeds are decent with fixed wireless internet, it can be unreliable. If you reside somewhere that gets bad weather often, then it may not be such a good choice. However, it may be your only choice to get online.

Satellite Internet

If you live in a rural area, another option is satellite internet. It's available in practically 100% of the United States because the satellites have that far of a reach.

Internet speeds are also decent with satellite internet, but are slower than the other options. Also, it's expensive to get, for both installation and monthly fees. For these reasons, you should probably keep satellite internet as a last option for getting online.


Fiber Optic Internet Providers

Is your heart set on getting fiber optic internet? It can certainly be well worth the money to surf the internet at the fastest speeds possible.

To help you out, here's a great fiber optic internet providers list for the US.

Verizon Fios

The biggest fiber optic internet provider for our country is Verizon Fios. They cover almost 35 million people and offer their services across 10 states. With this ISP, you can get download speeds of up to 950 Mbps.

Out of those 10 states, Verizon Fios mainly serves Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. You can expect to get excellent coverage in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, the Bronx, New York, Staten Island, and Washington.

Considering they're the biggest ISP in the US and were the first ones to truly offer fiber optic internet in 2005, you should highly consider going with this ISP. You can count on them to bring you fast internet and great service.

You'll also be pleased to know that they offer digital phone and TV services that can be bundled with their internet services.

AT&T Fiber

The next biggest fiber optic provider is AT&T fiber. They serve a little over 25 million customers but have a broader reach of 21 states. AT&T Fiber's speeds top out at 1,000 Mbps.

The greatest coverage this ISP has is over California, Texas, and Florida. The biggest cities they serve include Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Chicago, and Miami.

Should you want to bundle your TV services, you can do so under DirecTV. AT&T is currently the owner of this satellite TV provider. You can also bundle your phone services if you wish.

EarthLink Fiber

EarthLink Fiber comes in at a close 3rd, as they serve almost 25 million people as well. They offer their fiber optic internet services across 21 states. With EarthLink Fiber, you'll get download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

You'll get the greatest coverage from them in California, Texas, and New York. The top areas EarthLink Fiber serves are Los Angeles, San Antonio, Houston, Chicago, Brooklyn, Miami, and New York.

This is a great ISP to use because their fiber optic network covers around 50% of American homes. This is thanks to Trive Capital's acquisition of the company.

However, if you're looking to bundle phone and TV services, you should look elsewhere. This ISP only provides internet services.

Frontier Communications

Frontier Communications is next on the list, but with just almost 11 million customers served. They have coverage in 8 states and unfortunately, their speeds only go up to 100 Mbps.

You'll find the most coverage in California, Connecticut, and Florida. The top cities Frontier Communications serves are Long Beach, Durham, Fort Wayne, Lakeland, Rochester, Saint Petersburg, and Rochester.

This ISP actually provides most of their fiber optic internet through Verizon Fios's networks, which they acquired in 2014. You can also bundle TV and phone services if you need all 3.

CenturyLink

The 5th biggest fiber optic internet provider is CenturyLink, which serves over 9.5 million Americans. Their service maxes out at 100 Mbps.

While they don't top the list of ISPs, they certainly do for coverage. They're the only ones that offer service across all 50 states, which is no easy feat.

CenturyLink has the best coverage in Washington, Arizona, and Colorado. Top areas served include Seattle, Saint Paul, Denver, Tucson, Minneapolis, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

Like with most other ISPs, CenturyLink allows you to bundle their internet services with phone and digital TV (called "Prism TV").

Google Fiber

Google Fiber is an ISP that offers internet services to just over 2 million people. You can enjoy their services in 10 states and get speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

The main states you'll receive service are Texas, Missouri, and Kansas. In addition, the top areas served by Google Fiber are Austin, Kansas City (both of them), Olathe, Provo, Lees Summit, and Overland Park.

As you may have guessed, Google Fiber only offers fiber optic internet. For phone and TV services, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Windstream

Windstream serves over 1.6 million Americans but has a wide coverage area of 44 states. Their internet speed maxes out at 1,000 Mbps.

This ISP mainly serves Texas, Georgia, and Illinois. Windstream's top areas served are Lincoln, Lexington, Charlotte, Sugar Land, Concord, Broken Arrow, and New York.

Their fiber optic internet services are considered "hybrid" services, as they use fiber-DSL connections. You'll see this service branded as "Kinetic" connections.

With Windstream, you'll be able to bundle internet, phone, and TV services together.

Cincinnati Bell

Cincinnati Bell serves almost 1.4 million people. They have a coverage area over 19 states and their fiber optic internet also gets download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

Their greatest coverage is in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Their top areas served include Cincinnati, Mason, Hamilton, Fairfield, Loveland, Covington, and West Chester.

As with many other ISPs, you can bundle phone and TV services with your fiber optic internet.

C Spire Fiber

C Spire Fiber serves around 1.2 million customers and their services span across 8 states. With this ISP, you'll also get speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.

They serve mainly Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. The main cities you'll find C Spire Fiber in are Hattiesburg, Mobile, Jackson, Brandon, Meridian, Madison, and Southaven.

If you want to bundle internet, phone, and TV services, you can with this ISP. They also have cable internet services as a viable alternative.

Metronet

Metronet serves a little over 1 million people but you can only find them in 3 states for fiber optic internet. Get speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps with this ISP.

The 3 states Metronet serves are Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. Their top areas served are Lexington, Bloomington, Lafayette, West Lafayette, Greenwood, Carmel, and Normal.

In addition to fiber optic internet services, Metronet also offers phone and IPTV services you can get in bundles.


Sign up for Fiber Optic Internet Today

Now you have a great idea of what fiber optic internet is, how it works, and what the best ISPs are out there.

It's true that now, there aren't many places out there that have fiber optic capabilities. But if this is really important to you, and you're moving soon, it may be worth considering relocating to a more metropolitan area to ensure that you can get the fastest internet available.

With KonectEaze, this is entirely possible. Whether you're moving or just want to switch ISPs, we have a myriad of resources for you to find out if fiber optic internet (or any other type of internet) is available in the area you're in. Let us help you find the perfect plan for you!

Are you ready to find out if you get fiber optic internet in your area? Then use our zip code search tool now. We have thousands of internet plans to choose from.


What is DSL?

Discover the world of DSL technology with KonectEaze! Learn what DSL is, its benefits, and how it can enhance your internet experience.

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What is DSL?

What is DSL?


On average, we spend over 6.5 hours a day on the internet. For many, it's not uncommon to be digitally connected for the entire day.

For this reason, it's very important that you choose the right type of internet, as well as the right internet service provider (ISP). Most Americans choose to get DSL, which is a type of high-speed connection that's available in many parts of the country.

But exactly what is DSL? Is it a good choice for you? And what are the ISPs that are near you anyway?

In this article, we'll answer all your important questions so shopping for the best internet services is a cinch.

What Is DSL?

What is DSL internet?

Before we can answer that, let's first answer this question: what does "DSL" stand for? "DSL" stands for "digital subscriber line." With that out of the way, we can tackle what exactly this means.

DSL internet is where you get high speed internet through the use of telephone wires. You need a modem to connect to, and if you want wireless service, you'll have to also get a router to broadcast the signal in your house.

For most people, DSL is a great internet choice since it offers pretty decent speeds, lots of coverage around the US, and fair prices in most places. However, there are some places where there is no DSL service, which means you'll have to consider some alternatives (more on that later).

How Does DSL Internet Work?

DSL internet signals are transmitted through telephone wires. This means it uses a copper wire connection, which has been around since the advent of the telephone. This means it's a very reliable method of transmitting signals for telecommunications.

DSL takes advantage of unused telephone wires, which is what gives it a leg up when compared to the old-fashioned dial-up internet. If you've previously used it before, you'll know that whenever you need to get online, the phone line is tied up, which means both incoming and outgoing calls aren't possible. However, with DSL, it uses a separate telephone line, which means you're still free to use the landline whenever you please.

DSL Internet Compared to Other Types of Internet

Now you have a basic understanding of what DSL internet is and how it works. But how does it compare to other types of internet?

In general, your other choices include cable, fixed wireless, satellite, and fiber optic internet. Read on to find out more about how good these are in relation to DSL.

Cable Internet

Cable internet is the biggest contender for DSL internet. They get similar speeds, plus they both have wide coverage across the US.

Like with DSL, you need to use a modem to receive cable internet signals. This is attached to the cable wires in your home, which also provide cable TV services. Because of this, you'll usually see these services bundled together from the same provider.

Cable wires need to already be laid by the ISP; otherwise, it can be an investment that's not worth it for them. This is why you won't find cable coverage in some more rural areas. However, for the most part, expect to find cable internet service in the majority of cities.

Fixed Wireless Internet

Unfortunately, you won't always find DSL and cable internet everywhere you go. In that case, you might have to resort to using fixed wireless internet.

This service broadcasts internet signals through radiowaves, which means you don't have to use a modem or router. All you have to do is connect wirelessly, and you're set!

The downside to this is service can be spotty, especially if bad winds or storms go through your town. In addition, speeds won't be as fast or stable just because they're not through a wired connection.

But as we've said, you may have no choice in the matter if you live in a rural area. However, you might have satellite internet as an alternative.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet is available in basically every corner of the United States, which makes it a lifesaver if you live out in the sticks. You receive an internet signal through a satellite in space, which is what gives it such great coverage.

To get satellite internet, the ISP needs to install a receiver and some equipment in your home. When you combine these installation charges with the monthly fees, it may be quite expensive for many households.

In addition, satellite internet may offer great speeds, but there are definitely much better options out there. However, it's a fantastic choice for those who live in the outskirts.

Fiber Optic Internet

Fiber optic internet offers some of the fastest internet speeds around. In fact, they can get up to 100 times the speed of cable or DSL internet!

This type of internet uses fiber optic connections, which is a bundle of wires. It's a lot more efficient than copper wires, since light can travel so quickly and reliably. This is how it gets "lightning-fast" speeds.

The main downside to fiber optic internet is it's not readily available in most parts of the country. It takes a huge investment for an ISP to install the lines, and it's not worth it in more rural areas. This is why you'll mainly find fiber optic internet in major cities.

In addition, this service is quite expensive when compared to the others. Cable and DSL should provide decent enough speeds for the average user, so you'll save a lot more money by going with those choices instead.

DSL Internet Providers

After reading the list above, you might have come to the conclusion that DSL internet is what you want for your home. In that case, you should find out about the top DSL providers so you know which companies to look out for in your area.

Below are the best ISPs for DSL in the United States.

EarthLink

EarthLink is the number 1 DSL provider in the country. They serve over 165 million people and provide DSL services in 31 states. You'll enjoy maximum download speeds of 100 Mbps.

The states you'll get the greatest coverage in are California, Texas, and New York. EarthLink's top areas served include Los Angeles, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, Brooklyn, Miami, and New York.

With EarthLink's DSL services, you won't have any data caps. Their "HyperLink" services won't have them either.

While many other ISPs offer phone and TV services, this one doesn't. So if you're thinking of getting those subscriptions, you'll have to find another provider.

AT&T Internet

Unsurprisingly, AT&T is at the top of the list for DSL internet providers. They're a well-known brand that's served the US for many years, so you can expect to get great internet services from them.

This ISP serves over 122 million people and has coverage in 21 states. They also offer DSL speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

AT&T Internet can mainly be found in California, Texas, and Florida. The top areas served by this ISP are Los Angeles, San Diego, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Chicago, and Miami.

AT&T does offer digital landline phone services, as well as digital TV. In fact, they're the owners of DirecTV. So you'll be able to find cost-saving bundles for all 3 services with this ISP.

CenturyLink

Third on the list is CenturyLink. Their population covered isn't nearly as high as the other 2; they only serve 49 million people.

However, they have excellent coverage that spans 39 states. In addition, their DSL speeds are slightly faster at 140 Mbps. They also have fiber optic internet in some areas.

The main states CenturyLink serves are Arizona, Colorado, and Washington. The top cities they serve include Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, Tucson, Saint Paul, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis.

CenturyLink also has phone and digital TV services available. Bundle them together to get their "Prism TV" services.

Verizon High Speed Internet

Verizon also serves around 49 million people in the United States. They offer their DSL services across 11 states. Their internet speeds aren't as excellent; their speed tops out at 15 Mbps.

The main states you'll find Verizon High Speed Internet in are Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The top cities they serve are Buffalo, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and New York.

While you can certainly enjoy DSL services with Verizon, they only offer phone services in addition to it. If you want TV services, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Frontier Communications

Frontier Communications covers a population of over 33 million and can be found in 29 states. Their DSL speeds get a maximum of 100 Mbps. They also have fiber optic internet available that's routed through Verizon Fios's lines.

This ISP mainly serves California, Connecticut, and Florida. The big cities you'll get coverage in include Long Beach, Fort Wayne, Lakeland, Durham, Rochester, Saint Petersburg, and Tampa.

If you wish to bundle TV and phone services with your internet plan, you can do so with Frontier Communications.

Windstream

Windstream is an ISP that serves almost 14 million of the population. What's great is they have coverage in all 50 states and you can get speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps with their DSL services.

The main states that get great coverage from Windstream are Texas, Illinois, and Georgia. The top cities served are Lincoln, Lexington, Charlotte, Sugarland, Concord, Broken Arrow, and New York.

Like with many other ISPs, you can get digital phone and TV services. The TV service is through their partner, Dish Network. Windstream is a great choice for not only DSL in more rural areas, but also for their discounted bundles.

Consolidated Communications

Consolidated Communications is formerly known as Fairpoint Communications. They serve over 4.6 million people and have a coverage area of 24 states. Their DSL speed maxes out at 200 Mbps and they also provide cable, fixed wireless, and fiber optic internet services.

You'll get the greatest coverage from Consolidated Communications if you live in New Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine. The top areas served by this ISP are Conroe, Katy, Roseville, Nashua, Citrus Heights, New York, and Manchester.

Consolidated Communications does have phone and TV services, which you can bundle with their DSL services. However, you may want to opt for bigger companies outside of internet for better service.

Sonic

Sonic serves almost 3 million customers in the United States. Unfortunately, you'll only find coverage in 1 state: California. Their DSL internet gives you a maximum download speed of 100 Mbps.

As you'd expect, the top areas served are exclusively in this state. They include Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, and Oakland. So if you live in Northern California, Sonic is a great DSL option.

This ISP also offers fiber internet services. In addition, you can bundle phone services with your internet package. However, they do not offer any TV services, so you'll have to choose another provider for this.


Get DSL Service for Your Home Today

Now you know the answer to the question: what is DSL? In addition, you have tons more information on how it works, as well as what the top ISPs are.

With this knowledge, you can make a better-informed decision when it comes to getting a smooth and hassle-free internet connection. The next step is to search KonectEaze's huge database of the best internet deals in your area. We'll help you save some money so you can enjoy the best DSL internet services, all without being charged an arm and a leg.

Do you want to get an excellent DSL internet connection for your household? Then start searching now. Our zip code search tool will let you look through thousands of internet plans instantly!


Does CenturyLink Have Data Caps?

Discover the truth about CenturyLink's data caps. Learn whether CenturyLink enforces data caps and how they may affect your internet usage.

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Does CenturyLink Have Data Caps?

Does CenturyLink Have Data Caps?


Today, over 21% of American households have DSL internet. This is a type of high-speed internet that allows you to browse the internet with a stable connection, and usually, for very affordable prices too.

While there are many internet service providers available, we'll take a closer look at a particular one here: CenturyLink.

Are you wondering: does CenturyLink have data caps? Then read on. We'll answer that question and more in this article.

What's CenturyLink?

CenturyLink is the 3rd largest DSL provider in the entire country. They provide service to over 49 million customers across 39 states, which means there's a very good chance they offer DSL or fiber optic internet where you live.

The major states they serve are Arizona, Colorado, and Washington. In addition, the top areas they serve include Phoenix, Tucson, Denver, Las Vegas, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Saint Paul.

In addition to internet services, CenturyLink also has phone services, so if you want to save money, you can bundle these services together.

What's the CenturyLink Internet Speed Like?

CenturyLink offers DSL and fiber optic internet.

If you opt for DSL, they have download speeds of up to either 15 or 20 Mbps. On the other hand, if you opt for fiber optic internet, you'll get download speeds of up to 80, 100, or 940 Mbps.

However, because fiber optic internet uses expensive cutting-edge technology, you'll be hard-pressed to find it available in many places. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, you probably won't be able to get CenturyLink fiber services.

What Are the CenturyLink Internet Prices?

Here are the CenturyLink plans you can choose from:

  • 15 Mbps: $49/month
  • 20 Mbps: $49/month
  • 80 Mbps: $49/month
  • 100 Mbps: $49/month
  • 940 Mbps: $65/month

As you can see, all the prices are the same, except for the top-tier plan (Fiber Gigabit). Because of this, it's wise to go for the top speeds available in your area.

Do note that to get these prices, you need to get paperless billing.

Does CenturyLink Have Data Caps?

Yes they do. The CenturyLink internet data cap is 1,024 GB per month for every single plan.

However, the exception is the Fiber Gigabit plan, where there are no caps at all. This means you're free to surf the internet as much as you want.

Even with a cap of 1,024 GB per month, you'll find it difficult to hit that limit, even if you have a full household. The average American household uses 190 GB of broadband internet a month. So in the majority of cases, your family should have no issues with CenturyLink's data caps.


Get CenturyLink Internet Today

So does CenturyLink have data caps? Yes it does, except for the Fiber Gigabit plan.

So if you're considering CenturyLink high-speed internet, keep this in mind. However, the CenturyLink data caps are pretty generous, so even if you can't get fiber optic internet where you live, the data caps for DSL shouldn't be too much of an issue.

Are you ready to get CenturyLink internet? Then search the best deals in your area now!


CenturyLink Internet Review: A Complete Guide to the Internet Service

Are you looking for a new internet provider? You may be considering CenturyLink. Learn more with this in-depth CenturyLink internet review.

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CenturyLink Internet Review: A Complete Guide to the Internet Service

CenturyLink Internet Review: A Complete Guide to the Internet Service


Twenty years ago, half of all adults in the United States used the internet. Today that number has ballooned to 90 percent. If you're over the age of forty, you can probably remember the magical day you had a technician come to your home and hook you up to the internet.

Today it's hard to imagine going without high-speed internet at home. With more than 2,000 ISPs in the United States, how do you know which one to pick?

CenturyLink is the third biggest telecom company in the United States. Keep reading to see a comprehensive Centurylink internet review.

Centurylink's Biggest Pro

When you are looking for the best internet services available in your area, you might have a variety of qualifications. If you're focusing on reliability and surprise-free monthly pricing, CenturyLink is one of your best options.

If you're setting stakes in the ground and planning on staying, CenturyLink's biggest pro is its price for life. This means your price will not change as long as you have CenturyLink.

If you move, your price can change because you'll have a new plan. But if you have just moved and are ordering new internet, then CenturyLink is a great option.

CenturyLink Plans

CenturyLink is among one of the best providers in the United States. Thus, if they're available where you live, they're most likely one of the best providers in your area.

The CenturyLink Plans come with the option of phone and/or TV service bundled with them. The DSL internet is not as fast as cable internet on average but does the job for the average internet user.

Here's the breakdown of what CenturyLink currently offers. None of these plans include the bundle of TV or phone.

  • For $49 a month, you can receive up to 15Mbps speed of DSL internet.
  • For $49 a month, you can receive up to 20Mbps on a DSL connection.
  • For $49 a month you can also receive up to 80 Mbps on a DSL or Fiber connection if the speed is available in your area.
  • For $65 a month you receive Fiber Gigabit, CenturyLink's newest service. This service offers up to 940 Mbps of fiber internet.
  • For $49 a month you can receive up to 100 Mbps of fiber internet.

CenturyLink is amping up its service by offering more people fiber internet options. Their bundling makes them one of the best options out there if you want a TV package with no-strings promotional pricing attached to it.

If you're looking for a phone-only service, CenturyLink is one of the pricier options.


Which States Offer CenturyLink?

CenturyLink is the third largest telecom company in the country. Thus they offer a significant amount of service to lower-population and rural areas throughout the midwest and west coast.

If you live in a place where you can see the sunrise and set on the horizon daily, then CenturyLink may be your best bet on high-quality internet where you live. They may also be your only provider where you live. These are the states where CenturyLink offers service.

  • Alabama
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Colorado
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

If you see your state on this list, you still may not have CenturyLink as an option. The CenturyLink availability map helps you see if you have CenturyLink in your community and also what other services you can bundle with your internet.

For example, if you live in South Dakota, a state with a significant rural population, you'll see CenturyLink offers service to the state. However, over 20 of the counties are not eligible for CenturyLink's service.

Additionally, your quality of service will depend on the distance between your home and the CenturyLink office. So if you're in a more rural area, you may have poorer service.

What is CenturyLink Price for Life?

CenturyLink's biggest pro is their Price for Life. CenturyLink waits until a contract is up to introduce final pricing on the promotional package.

Often companies will set a contract up so you pay a low price initially and then a higher rate for the second half of your contract. CenturyLink has its "price for life" guarantee, which means you have a locked-in price for a defined time. They won't jack up your rates.

If you're planning on establishing some roots and staying in one place for a while, the price-for-life guarantee is worth putting up with CenturyLink's weaknesses.

Initial Fees and Add Ons

If you're looking at CenturyLink and have a particular budget in mind, be aware of the initial fees and add-ons to your bill. The price-for-life is just for internet service. Here is a breakdown of what you'll pay when you sign up for CenturyLink plans.

  • $60 for an installation fee
  • $15 for a Gateway rental fee
  • $150 for a Gateway purchase fee
  • $5 rental fee for a DVR receiver per receiver if you bundle your TV in with your internet
  • $20 to $250 for terminating TV service. If you terminate your PRISM TV service before the contract has expired, you will $20 a month or up to $250 for the remainder of the contract.
  • $200 for terminating internet service early. You will have to pay up to $200 for an early termination fee if you cancel your contract depending on how time you have left on your contract.

CenturyLink also will require you to either lease or purchase a modem from them. The lease will cost you $10 a month, and you will see this tacked onto your monthly bill. Purchasing the modem will cost you up to $150.

CenturyLink gives you the option of purchasing your modem from a third party. Third-party modems range from $50 to $200, depending on the seller.

If you are a short-term customer, renting makes the most sense. If you're going to stay with CenturyLink for years, then purchasing the modem is a logical move because you can save a few hundred dollars in the long run.

Are CenturyLink Bundles a Good Deal?

When you're looking for internet, CenturyLink doesn't look like as good of a deal as some of the other providers. Their biggest strength lies in their ability to offer a bundle of communication and entertainment options as one package.

Internet-Only

CenturyLink struggles to compete with faster cable and fiber-option companies that offer just internet. CenturyLink's strength in the internet-only game is its price. They're among the most affordable internet services out there.

They also offer a generous 1 TB data plan. If you plan on binging on Netflix, you won't find a massive overage fee on your bill with a plan like this.

Internet and TV Bundle

CenturyLink has a sweet deal with DirecTV and Prism TV. The internet-TV bundle is among the most affordable on the market. So you don't have to worry about buffering a show on your laptop or tablet if you can watch it on your tv with this bundle.

Internet and Home Phone

CenturyLink started as a landline phone company. If you need a home phone, the internet and phone package is one of the better features CenturyLink offers.

If you purchase the internet alone, you might think it's expensive. But when you bundle your phone and internet, the price drops significantly compared to having the two services separately.


How Does CenturyLink Stack Up?

Speed Pro

CenturyLink appears to be working on this. They now offer fiber in some areas of the United States, which means they have superfast speeds. Typically businesses receive this offer as CenturyLink is focusing on this sector first.

Still, if you are a longtime CenturyLink customer frustrated with your lagging internet, it's worth a call to see if service has improved in your area. You may be eligible for a faster speed now than when you first locked in your contract years ago.

Speed Con

DSL internet speeds are slower and less reliable than cable and fiber; if you need faster speed, compare with local cable, fiber, and fixed wireless options;

works well for average Internet user; if you are working from home and need basic speeds, CenturyLink is a good option; if you're a gamer, a power user, a techie, or someone that has intensive daily use, the lower-than-average upload speeds will frustrate you; weather affects DSL more than other technology

Price Pro

As we've mentioned, the CenturyLink price for life is something that makes them shine. With other companies, you may find some surprises in your monthly bill when your price goes up halfway through your contract. With the Price for Life, you can find yourself saving money on your monthly utilities.

As long as you do not move or change services, CenturyLink promises to keep your bill the same. If you temporarily suspend your internet by doing things like going on vacation, CenturyLink prices can go up, so be aware of the fine print of your contract.

Price Con

The fine print in the Price for Life contract can catch you off guard. Price for Life applies as long as you do not change residences or internet services.

So if you move across town in a community that offers CenturyLink, CenturyLink will terminate your contract, and you will have to sign up for a new contract that may cost you more.

If you sign up for the cheapest, slowest internet package with CenturyLink and then later discover you need a faster connection, you may end up paying quite a bit more for faster service. You may even end up paying more than you would have had you gone with a different provider.

CenturyLink also has the power, via their fine print, to terminate your service at their sole discretion without any notice.

If you're a long-time CenturyLink customer, you can attempt to negotiate your prices.

Let's say you do move across town or even to a different community that offers CenturyLink service. When you attempt to establish your internet services with CenturyLink again if they try to hike up your prices, negotiate with them.

Show them you're a reliable customer of many years and how you've always paid your bill on time. They may be willing to work with you to lower your prices. After all, they want your business and they want customers they can count on.

You also need to be aware of the added fees CenturyLink does not include in their promotions. You will need to either buy a modem from CenturyLink or lease one for a monthly fee. They will add the fee to your monthly bill.

So while the promotional deal may tell you that you will pay $45 a month, you may end up with a $60 a month bill with the added fees.

Also, if you're getting new internet in your home, prepare yourself for the $100 or more fee for installation. Getting the internet will make your first bill a bit of a doozy.

Data Limits

All CenturyLink plans come with the same data limit. You can use up to 1 TB (terabyte) of data. But truly, this isn't a limit since CenturyLink does little after you go over.

Plus, this is a huge amount of data. AT&T says you would have to stream 400 hours of movies to hit this data cap. That would be approximately 13 hours of streaming a day, every day, for 30 days.

More internet companies are going to this number for data caps. CenturyLink is the one company that has the 1 TB data cap for all of its plans. So you can use the internet without worrying too much that you'll receive an overage charge on your monthly bill.

CenturyLink Internet Review on Customer Service

As one of the three largest DSL Internet providers in the country, CenturyLink has a huge coverage area and millions of customers to please. They cover 39 states mostly in the midwest and west coast states.

They receive their fair share of customer service calls. As a result, CenturyLink reviews on customer service vary.

While they receive only a little over one star of overall satisfaction rating at Consumer Affairs, the recent reviews are 5-star reviews. This indicates that perhaps CenturyLink has amped up its customer service department. The quality of satisfaction is based on 415 ratings submitted by customers at the time of this article.

Compare and Save with CenturyLink

This Centurylink internet review shows how CenturyLink stacks up against other internet companies. They have great prices and bundling services. They're also proving that they are a forward-thinking company with their new services on fiber internet.

If you're looking for the best internet service in your area, keep visiting our site. Take some time to learn about us so you can compare internet services and save money.


Top 5 Cities in Texas for Rise Broadband

Rise Broadband offers comprehensive plans for homeowners and businesses. If you're in Texas, these 5 cities can sign up for Rise Broadband.

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Top 5 Cities in Texas for Rise Broadband

Top 5 Cities in Texas for Rise Broadband


If there was ever a time that proved to you how valuable a secure, constant, and speedy internet service is, that time is now. COVID-19 is straining the limits of some internet service providers. However, if you use Rise Broadband, it's their fixed wireless internet service that gives you a robust and continuous service through a common alternative to cable and DSL providers.

With over 2,674 internet service provides in the U.S., your options can seem almost limitless. But there are very few internet service providers able to deliver reliable and continual wireless service. Rise broadband, with its fixed wireless system, continues to lead the way for companies that are leaders in their respective industries like Google.

Read on to learn about some of Rise Broadband's plans for comprehensive coverage for both homeowners and businesses. If you live in Texas, there are already five cities offering Rise Broadband. There may never be a better time to secure your internet service with one of the best alternatives in the market today.

Rise Broadband

Rise Broadband parent company was JAB Wireless, Inc. that incorporated in 2005. JAB Wireless, Inc. became re-branded under the Rise Broadband name and banner in 2015. Since it's rebranding, it has grown in leaps and bounds due to its most significant benefit to consumers.

Rise Broadband delivers its service wirelessly. Customers receive their internet connection from a beamed broadcast access tower in their area. The beam goes directly to the customer's antenna that's been installed on their rood, and it's distributed within the customer's home through a WIFI router.

The Rise broadband connection is called a fixed wireless Internet service. That's why with the company headquarters in Englewood, Colorado, the company continues to grow and develop with high-speed internet and digital voice services across sixteen states.

The Top Five Cities in Texas for Rise Broadband

Rise Broadband gives customers an alternative over cable and DSL providers like Comcast. Different internet service providers offer different price plans, speeds, and coverage areas. For instance, Frontier Communications' customer population is 33,290,459.

Rise Broadband currently has 25,719,363. Frontier Communications and Rise Broadband are often compared due to the closeness of their customer populations and service provisions. When you look at the comprehensive overview of Rise Broadband's growth in Texas, you're better able to understand that Rise has more penetration in diverse areas with its extensive network for homeowners and businesses. Rise broadband is in over 3,726 Texas zip codes.

#1 San Antonio, Texas

When you need a fixed wireless internet service alternative to cable and DSL in San Antonio, Texas, Rise is where you need to go and check out first. There are approximately 677,376 customers of Rise Broadband in San Antonio. You can choose from different tiers of service speeds, depending on what you need.

The range goes from economy packages to the breakout internet package. In San Antonio, Rise also offers bundles that included Rise security, protection, and support for up to five devices with streaming, IoT, and home network support services.


#2 Dallas, Texas

Dallas offers its population over thirty-two home internet options and fifty-three business internet choices. Every home has the choice to sign up for a fixed-line service. Rise Broadband provides 52.5% of the Dallas population using fixed wireless.

There's a wide range of zip codes near Dallas that also can use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:

  • 75371
  • 75246
  • 75226
  • 75223

The surrounding areas around Dallas fit right in with Rise Broadband's overriding mission, which is to close the digital divide by offering rural and suburban homes and businesses competitive choices in their internet services.

#3 Fort Worth, Texas

If you're not from Texas or live in Texas, it's easy to think that Fort Worth and Dallas are geographically the same areas. In reality, they are quite different in population and territory. Fort Worth offers thirty-three home internet options with over forty-one business service choices.

99.8 of all Fort Worth, Texas homes can get fixed-line service. There's a wide range of zip codes near Fort Worth that also can use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:

  • 76164
  • 76166
  • 76106
  • 76161

Fort Worth does have regular competition in internet service providers like AT&T, Spectrum, Frontier, and more. But often when customers are looking for that which is comparable or can exceed their DSL, Cable or Fiber, they often turn to Rise broadband.

#4 Plano, Texas

Plano, Texas, offers its population over twenty-eight home internet options and forty-one business service choices. There's a wide range of zip codes near Plano, Texas that can also use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:

  • 75023
  • 75026
  • 75025
  • 75075

Plano, Texas, is considered in some places to be more rural, but you do get DSL, Cable, Fiber, Wireless, and Satellite Internet provider services. They all range in giving you between 5 to 1000 Mbps.

#5 Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock, Texas, offers its population an excellent selection of home internet options with twenty-three to choose from. They also have twenty-two business internet choices. What's more, is 99.6% of all of the homes in Lubbock can get fixed-line services.

There's a wide range of zip codes near Lubbock that also can use Rise broadband which includes but isn't limited to:

  • 79410
  • 79406
  • 79493
  • 79413

The provider with the most coverage in the Lubbock area is Rise Broadband, which is available to 100% of the city.


Switch Internet Providers

When you're considering switching internet providers, you want to know their coverage areas, internet speed, and overall costs with and without bundling your services. That's why it's essential to understand your next step is your most important one. When you consider the positive Rise Broadband reviews as well as their ability to give you what you want, when you need it at a price you can afford, you create an almost perfect combination.

Reach out to KonectEaze when you're ready to empower yourself and your home or business with an internet provider that offers you transparency, value, and fairness. KonectEaze has one overall purpose and that's to make sure you know the best deals you can receive for your internet, cable, or any other home service option you're considering. Today's world has brought about changes in what we use and expect from our internet providers.

KonectEaze has the answers you may have about ensuring you never go without the latest and greatest information and data you need to know for the health and safety of your home and family.