CenturyLink vs Mediacom: Side by Side Comparison
CenturyLink and Mediacom Cable offer various services including internet, phone, and TV. CenturyLink currently ranks as the 3rd largest DSL provider in the U.S. Mediacom Cable is the 5th-largest cable provider, with the most significant coverage in Iowa, Illinois, and Georgia. Depending on your location, you can find Double Play, internet combined with phone or TV services, or Triple Play, internet combined with both TV and phone services available from both CenturyLink and Mediacom Cable.
While both providers offer a variety of plans, speeds, and prices, they each have unique distinctions outlined below.
CenturyLink Info
Mediacom Info
| CenturyLink vs. Mediacom Comparison |
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| Provider | CenturyLink | Mediacom |
| Speed | 20-940 Mbps | 60-1,000 Mbps |
| Pricing | $49-65/mo. | $19.99-79.99/mo. |
| Service Type | DSL, Fiber, Copper or Fixed Wireless | Cable |
| CenturyLink vs. Mediacom FEATURE COMPARISON |
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| Provider | CenturyLink | Mediacom |
| High-Speed Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Data | Select Plans | No |
| Contract-Free Plans | Yes | No |
| TV Service | No | Yes |
| Phone Service | Yes | Yes |
CenturyLink Internet Deals †
†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with CenturyLink.
Mediacom Internet Deals †
†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Mediacom.
CenturyLink vs. Mediacom Performance Overview
CenturyLink’s DSL internet is available to about 49.3 million people, and their fiber services are available to over 20.9 million people, making them the 4th largest fiber provider. Currently, CenturyLink offers DSL, fiber, copper, and fixed wireless in 39 states. For customers looking for phone services and internet, CenturyLink provides an $85 Double Play with speeds up to 940 Mbps in select areas. Most CenturyLink plans run month-to-month for no extra cost, and you can upgrade to unlimited data with their Fiber Gigabit plan starting at $65/month.
Mediacom Cable offers cable internet in 22 states, servicing an estimated amount of 7.5 million people. Customers can choose either a Triple or Double Play bundle, combining their cable internet with phone and TV services. Bundled services range from $99.99-139.99. While Mediacom Cable doesn’t offer unlimited data, you can find monthly data caps varying from 400-6000 GB depending on the plan you choose.
CenturyLink Installation
CenturyLink offers both self and professional installation options to their customers. While they promote the flexibility and easy-to-follow self-installation steps on their site, they provide a certified tech when customers need help installing their equipment or need cables run outside their home. Professional installation can cost a one-time fee up to $125. For those who choose self-installation, fees are currently waived and include shipping, handling, and activation fees.
Mediacom Installation
Mediacom Cable provides customers with professional and self-installation options depending on if customers need cables installed for the first time or cables run outside the home. Professional installation includes a certified technician that will set up your homepage, internet, and email for $99. If you want to set up your equipment, Mediacom Cable will send an install kit with the necessary equipment and instructions. The activation fee for both professional and self-install costs up to $10.
CenturyLink Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print
CenturyLink promotes contract-free options on all of its plans.
Since customers pay month-to-month and aren’t subject to a term agreement, there are no early termination fees (ETFs) unless otherwise noted with your plan. Typical download speeds range between 20-940 Mbps. You can rent a modem for $15/month or pay $150 once with most CenturyLink plans. For the Fiber Gigabit plan, CenturyLink includes the modem at no extra cost.
Mediacom Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print
Mediacom Cable offers contracts between 1-2 years as well as month-to-month contracts.
If you need to break your contract early, ETFs can average up to $240 depending on the contract agreement. With many options available, customers can choose download speeds between 60-1000 Mbps and upload speeds between 5-50 Mbps. Mediacom Cable provides customers the opportunity to rent a modem for between $11.50 per month, depending on the area and plan.
CenturyLink Data Caps
CenturyLink has a 1 TB data cap restriction on all of their plans with the exception of their 940 Mbps fiber plan, which has unlimited data. If you exceed the monthly data limit, which isn’t likely since it’s very high, CenturyLink will not charge an overage fee. Or, you can purchase their most expensive plan that includes unlimited data for $65/month.
Mediacom Data Caps
Depending on the plan, Mediacom Cable has data caps between 400-6000 GB each month. If you exceed your data limit, you’ll be charged $10 for every 50 GB extra. Currently, Mediacom Cable doesn’t offer an unlimited data plan to its customers.
100 Mbps CenturyLink Internet
We switched to CenturyLink and could not be happier. It is so much faster, has never cut out and had the best installation customer service. The price is also great.
GREAT TECH
I was extremely frustrated by the lack of communication from Wed. to Monday with no techs calling or showing up. However, finally, on Monday, Tech did call me, arrived when he said he would, and was absolutely wonderful. He was professional, respectful, and patient with all my questions. His customer service was excellent!
Great Speeds
Signed up for Mediacom after having a very slow and nonfunctioning DSL connection. Had to wait for them to run a line to my area but all in all well worth getting cable connection. Right from start have had a 58 Mbps download and 6 Mbps upload consistently. What I signed for is 50 Mbps/5 Mbps so am receiving a little higher rate. Have only had 2 calls to support and the connection was fixed quickly. Both times it was in their plant so no one needed to come to house.
Could be better
I use Mediacom at my office in Forsyth, MO. It was the only service I had access to when I signed up. It sometimes runs really slow and I don't know why. They did do an update a year or so ago and that did help some, but there are times when it's still slow. It's expensive too. I haven't looked to see if I can do better, so I need to do that.
CenturyLink vs. Mediacom Coverage Availability
CenturyLink Coverage & Availability
Mediacom Coverage & Availability
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