How Much Does CenturyLink Cost ?

Posted on: 11 Jul 2022

Introduction

In today’s connected world, reliable and affordable internet, TV, and phone services are essential for households and businesses alike. CenturyLink, now part of Lumen Technologies, is a leading telecommunications provider offering high-speed internet, TV through partnerships, and home phone services across 37 states. Understanding the costs of these services can be challenging due to variations in pricing by location, plan types, and additional fees. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of CenturyLink’s pricing for internet, TV, and phone services, including standalone plans, bundling options, and associated costs. We’ll also address common questions to help you choose the best plan for your needs and budget.

CenturyLink Internet Services

CenturyLink offers a range of internet plans, including Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and fiber-optic options, designed to meet diverse speed and usage requirements. Below, we outline the main plans, their prices, and their ideal use cases.

DSL Internet Plans

Simply Unlimited Internet
- Price: $55 per month
- Speed: Up to 100 Mbps
- Best For: Small households or individuals with basic internet needs, such as browsing, emailing, social media, and light streaming (e.g., Netflix in HD).
- Features: Unlimited data with no overage charges, no annual contract, and 24/7 technical support. This plan supports multiple devices for everyday tasks but may not suffice for heavy streaming or gaming.

Fiber Internet Plans

Fiber-optic internet provides faster speeds and greater reliability, making it ideal for data-intensive activities. CenturyLink’s fiber plans include:

Fiber Internet (Budget)
- Price: $50 per month
- Speed: Up to 500 Mbps
- Best For: Medium-sized households needing fast internet for streaming on multiple devices, online gaming, or remote work.
- Features: Symmetrical upload and download speeds, unlimited data, and no contract. This plan offers a cost-effective fiber option for users who don’t need the highest speeds.
Fiber Internet
- Price: $75 per month
- Speed: Up to 940 Mbps
- Best For: Large households or heavy internet users engaging in 4K streaming, large file downloads, or multiplayer gaming.
- Features: Symmetrical speeds, unlimited data, no contract, and support for 9+ devices simultaneously. This plan is ideal for tech-savvy households with high bandwidth demands.

Promotions and Discounts

CenturyLink frequently offers promotions to attract new customers. One notable deal provides 12 months of free internet for new customers in select locations with speeds of 20 Mbps or higher. Additionally, CenturyLink participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which can reduce internet costs by up to $30 per month for eligible low-income households, potentially bringing the cost of a 100 Mbps plan to $0 per month. Availability of these promotions varies by location, so checking CenturyLink’s website is essential.

Availability Note: Internet speeds and plan availability depend on your location. Fiber is not available everywhere, and DSL speeds may be lower in rural areas. Visit CenturyLink’s website and enter your address to confirm available plans and pricing.

Internet Plan	Price (/mo)	Speed	Best For	Key Features
Simply Unlimited Internet	$55	Up to 100 Mbps	Basic browsing, streaming	Unlimited data, no contract
Fiber Internet (Budget)	$50	Up to 500 Mbps	Streaming, gaming, remote work	Symmetrical speeds, unlimited data
Fiber Internet	$75	Up to 940 Mbps	Heavy streaming, gaming	Symmetrical speeds, supports 9+ devices

CenturyLink TV Services

CenturyLink does not provide its own TV service but partners with satellite providers DIRECTV and DISH to offer TV packages. These partnerships allow customers to bundle TV with internet or phone services for a streamlined experience. Below, we detail the available TV packages and their costs.

DIRECTV Packages

DIRECTV offers a range of packages with varying channel counts, catering to different viewing preferences:

ENTERTAINMENT
- Price: $94.99 per month (2-year contract)
- Channels: 160+ channels, including news, sports, and movies (e.g., ESPN, CNN, AMC).
- Best For: Budget-conscious viewers seeking a basic channel lineup.
CHOICE
- Price: $117.98 per month (2-year contract)
- Channels: 185+ channels, including all ENTERTAINMENT channels plus additional sports and movie channels (e.g., NFL Network, TCM).
- Best For: Sports fans and viewers wanting a broader entertainment selection.
ULTIMATE
- Price: $147.98 per month (2-year contract)
- Channels: 250+ channels, including all CHOICE channels plus premium content.
- Best For: Those seeking an extensive channel lineup with diverse programming.
PREMIER
- Price: $192.98 per month (2-year contract)
- Channels: 340+ channels, including all ULTIMATE channels plus premium networks like HBO, Showtime, and STARZ.
- Best For: Viewers who want the most comprehensive TV package with premium content.

DISH Packages

DISH offers competitive TV packages, with one example being:

America’s Top 120
- Price: $91.99 per month (2-year contract)
- Channels: 190+ channels, including local channels, sports, and entertainment.
- Features: Includes a Smart HD DVR and voice remote.

Additional TV Costs

TV services come with additional fees that can significantly impact the total cost:

Equipment Rental: DIRECTV charges a $10 per month TV Access fee, with additional fees for extra devices (e.g., $10 per month per additional Gemini device, $49 one-time fee for each additional Gemini device). DISH may also charge for equipment like DVRs.
Installation Fees: A one-time installation fee applies for setting up satellite dishes and receivers, though promotions may waive this cost.
Regional Sports Fees (RSN): DIRECTV may charge up to $17.99 per month for regional sports networks, depending on your location.
Taxes and Surcharges: These vary by location and can add 10–20% to your bill.
Early Termination Fees: DIRECTV and DISH require 2-year contracts, with early termination fees up to $480 for DIRECTV (prorated at $20 per month remaining) and $20 per month remaining for DISH.

Streaming Note: CenturyLink recommends at least 10 Mbps for streaming TV, with 25 Mbps for a better experience. For reliable HD streaming, 20 Mbps is advised. Visit DIRECTV’s legal page for detailed terms.

TV Package	Provider	Price (/mo)	Channels	Contract	Additional Fees
America’s Top 120	DISH	$91.99	190+	2 years	Equipment, taxes, surcharges
ENTERTAINMENT	DIRECTV	$94.99	160+	2 years	$10 TV Access fee, RSN up to $17.99
CHOICE	DIRECTV	$117.98	185+	2 years	$10 TV Access fee, RSN up to $17.99
ULTIMATE	DIRECTV	$147.98	250+	2 years	$10 TV Access fee, RSN up to $17.99
PREMIER	DIRECTV	$192.98	340+	2 years	$10 TV Access fee, RSN up to $17.99

CenturyLink Phone Services

CenturyLink’s home phone services provide reliable landline connections, ideal for those who value crystal-clear call quality and emergency service reliability. These services are available as standalone plans or bundled with internet.

Standalone Phone Plans

Basic Home Phone
- Price: $24.25–$30 per month (varies by location)
- Features: Local and long-distance calling within the U.S., basic features like caller ID, call waiting, and voicemail.
- Best For: Users needing a simple landline for occasional calls.
Home Phone Unlimited
- Price: $60 per month
- Features: Unlimited nationwide calling, including to Canada, Mexico, Germany, Ireland, and the U.K. (500 minutes per month for international calls), plus advanced features like three-way calling, call forwarding, anonymous call rejection, and voicemail-to-email.
- Best For: Frequent callers, especially those with international contacts.

Bundled Phone Plans

Bundling phone services with internet can offer savings and convenience:

Internet + Home Phone Unlimited
- Price: $90 per month
- Details: Combines Simply Unlimited Internet (up to 100 Mbps) with unlimited nationwide calling.
Fiber Internet + Home Phone Unlimited
- Price: $115 per month
- Details: Pairs Fiber Internet (up to 940 Mbps) with unlimited nationwide and select international calling.

Note: Phone plan pricing can vary significantly by location. Some sources report standalone plans as high as $50 per month, so contacting CenturyLink for location-specific pricing is recommended. Visit CenturyLink’s phone page for details.

Phone Plan	Price (/mo)	Features	Best For
Basic Home Phone	$24.25–$30	Local/long-distance, basic features	Occasional callers
Home Phone Unlimited	$60	Unlimited nationwide, select international calls	Frequent callers
Internet + Home Phone Unlimited	$90	100 Mbps internet, unlimited calls	Budget-conscious households
Fiber Internet + Home Phone Unlimited	$115	940 Mbps internet, unlimited calls	Heavy internet users

Additional Costs and Fees

Beyond base plan prices, several additional costs may apply:

Installation Fees: A one-time fee for setting up internet, TV, or phone services may apply, though promotions often waive this cost.
Equipment Rental: Internet plans often include a modem/router at no extra cost, but standalone rentals may cost $10–$15 per month. TV services require satellite equipment, with fees like DIRECTV’s $10 monthly TV Access fee.
Taxes and Surcharges: These vary by location and can add 10–20% to your bill.
CTL Fees: For phone services, CenturyLink charges Facility Relocation Cost Recovery, Property Tax Recovery, and Federal Regulatory Recovery Fees, totaling up to $4 per month per line. These are not taxes but fees set by CenturyLink.

For detailed fee information, visit CenturyLink’s fees and taxes page.

Customer Support and Reliability

CenturyLink offers 24/7 customer support via phone, online chat, and the My CenturyLink app, which allows users to manage bills, check service status, and troubleshoot issues. The company’s fiber network is noted for 99.9% reliability, with symmetrical upload/download speeds up to 940 Mbps. However, customer satisfaction scores are mixed, with some reviews citing CenturyLink’s 21st place out of 25 providers in a CableTV.com survey due to average customer support and reliability experiences.

Comparing CenturyLink to Competitors

CenturyLink’s pricing is competitive, particularly for fiber internet. For comparison:

Xfinity: Offers cable internet starting at $35 per month for 50 Mbps, but with data caps on some plans.
Verizon Fios: Fiber plans start at $49.99 per month for 300 Mbps, often with no contract, but availability is limited.
AT&T: Fiber plans start at $55 per month for 300 Mbps, with similar unlimited data benefits.

CenturyLink’s no-contract policy and unlimited data make it a strong choice, especially in areas where fiber is available. However, its DSL speeds may lag behind competitors in rural areas.

Conclusion

CenturyLink offers a variety of internet, TV, and phone services to meet diverse household needs, with pricing that ranges from budget-friendly to premium options. Internet plans start at $50 per month for fiber and $55 for DSL, while TV packages through DIRECTV and DISH begin at $91.99 per month. Phone services range from $24.25 to $60 per month standalone, with bundles starting at $90. Additional fees, such as installation, equipment rentals, and taxes, should be factored into your budget.

The absence of contracts and data caps for internet and phone services provides flexibility, making CenturyLink a compelling choice, especially in areas with fiber availability. However, pricing and service availability vary by location, so checking CenturyLink’s website or contacting their support team is crucial for accurate details. By understanding the full cost structure and available promotions, you can select a CenturyLink plan that delivers reliable connectivity at a price that fits your budget.

Faq

Does CenturyLink offer internet without a phone line?

Yes, CenturyLink provides standalone internet plans without requiring a phone line, available in both DSL and fiber options.

What are the installation costs for CenturyLink services?

Installation fees vary but may be waived during promotions. Contact CenturyLink to confirm costs for your area.

Are there any contracts or early termination fees with CenturyLink?

CenturyLink’s internet and phone services have no annual contracts or early termination fees. TV services through DIRECTV or DISH may require 2-year contracts with fees up to $480 for early termination.

How can I check if CenturyLink services are available in my area?

Visit CenturyLink’s website and enter your address to check availability and pricing.

What are the benefits of bundling services with CenturyLink?

Bundling saves money (e.g., $90 for internet + phone vs. $115 separately), simplifies billing, and integrates services for seamless use.