CenturyLink vs Suddenlink: Side by Side Comparison

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CenturyLink vs Suddenlink

The speeds and prices of broadband plans available from CenturyLink and Suddenlink vary from area to area, with some households open to “gigabit” service and full fiber connectivity. Picking the right provider for your needs will be a question of deciding whether you want to pay a premium for the highest speed or take a discount for a more average plan.

CenturyLink AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (855) 272-5033
  • Support: (877) 862-9343
(855) 272-5033

$45 to $85 / mo.

10 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 1,000 mbps

63%63%

DSL

Current: 46th ↑ (+1)

Suddenlink Communications AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (877) 783-3668
  • Support: (877) 694-9474
(877) 783-3668

$34.99 to $84.99 / mo.

100 mbps to 1,000 mbps

10 mbps to 50 mbps

61%61%

Cable

Current: 23rd ↓ (-1)

CenturyLink OVERVIEW

CenturyLink is a telecommunications company that markets DSL, as well as fiber broadband, digital phone, and TV.

Suddenlink OVERVIEW

Suddenlink Communications services cable Internet and television. They also provide phone service.

CenturyLink INTERNET DEALS †

  • $45 for 10 mbps DSL
    • Speeds up to 10 mbps w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Setup: $0 (Free self-installation. Professional installation is up to $125.)
    • Modem: $10/mo or one-time $150
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $50 for 20 mbps DSL
    • 20 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Setup: $0 (Free self-installation. Professional installation is up to $125.)
    • Modem: $10/mo or one-time $150
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $55 for 40 mbps Fiber
    • 40 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Setup: $0 (Free self-installation. Professional installation is up to $125.)
    • Modem: $10/mo or one-time $150
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $65 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ a 1024 GB/mo data cap
    • Setup: $0 (Free self-installation. Professional installation is up to $125.)
    • Modem: $10/mo or one-time $150
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
  • $85 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and -- Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Setup: $0 (Free self-installation. Professional installation is up to $125.)
    • Modem: $10/mo or one-time $150
    • Call (855) 272-5033 to setup service.
Show All Deals (5)
Last updated on 7/12/2019

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with CenturyLink.

Suddenlink INTERNET DEALS †

  • $34.99 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • Contract Term: 1 year
    • Setup: $49.00 (Includes standard installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 783-3668 to setup service.
  • $44.99 for 200 mbps Cable
    • 200 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑
    • Contract Term: 1 year
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 783-3668 to setup service.
  • $54.99 for 400 mbps Cable
    • 400 Mbps ↓ and 40 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Contract Term: 1 year
    • Includes a $50 Amazon Gift Card.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 783-3668 to setup service.
  • $84.99 for 940 mbps Cable
    • 940 Mbps ↓ and 50 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • Contract Term: 1 year
    • Includes a $50 Amazon Gift Card.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 783-3668 to setup service.
Last updated on 7/7/2019

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Suddenlink.

CenturyLink: DATACAPS From 1024 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. CenturyLink offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

Suddenlink: DATACAPS From 250 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. Suddenlink offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

CenturyLink's TECHNOLOGY

DSL and fiber-to-the-home are currently the two most common Internet options CenturyLink provides.

DSL is an older infrasructure that uses Centurylink’s legacy phone lines to deliver broadband Internet. Although DSL services don’t offer the fastest speeds or lowest latencies, they are widely available and usually more cost-effective compared to alternatives since they can transmit data over the same cheap, abundant cables carrying calls.

If you are evaluating DSL services, make sure to check the speeds available in your area, as they can change dramatically.

Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), on the contrary, is considered the best internet service. In a FTTH setup, CenturyLink delivers a fiber line the full distance to subscriber residences. However, installing fiber lines is costly — such that fiber isn't expanding very quickly.

Suddenlink's TECHNOLOGY

Internet service from Suddenlink come over their hybrid fiber-cable network. Bandwidth is is split to allow TV and digital phone services. Cable is speedier than DSL. However, the upload speeds can't match fiber.

Hybrid networks work by bringing fiber lines to individual neighborhoods, then switching to coaxial copper television lines for the last mile.[2]

The DOCSIS 3.1 protocol for servicing broadband Internet data over coax cable is making high-speed Internet accessible to more areas in the future without expensive updates of existing Suddenlink networks in use.

CenturyLink INSTALLATION

CenturyLink subscribers have two installation choices:

  1. Self installation
  2. Professional Installation

Installing services at home is generally straightforward, especially for Internet-only service. All equipment, plus step-by-step instructions, is included with the installation kit. The task should takes no more than half an hour.

Professional installation is necessary if your house has never been connected to CenturyLink DSL before. Appointments can be made when you order service.

CenturyLink customers with pre-wired homes who are okay with following instructions can save money by doing the equipment on their own.

Suddenlink INSTALLATION

Suddenlink gives new customers detailed self-install materials for those who want to install their service. The process involves hooking up the modem to the home's coax outlet, activating the router, and some other small tasks.

Although installing yourself should take less than an hour for most residential customers, technician installations can be scheduled as well. Technician setup is the better choice for television customers in particular.

CenturyLink RATINGS AND REVIEWS

35%35% Customer Rating

35.3% recommendation rating according to 60682 verified users.

Suddenlink RATINGS AND REVIEWS

49%49% Customer Rating

48.7% recommendation rating according to 9401 verified Suddenlink users.

CenturyLink COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

CenturyLink Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Suddenlink COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

Suddenlink Communications Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Early termination fees and other surprises

Check the fine print before jumping aboard

Broadband communication companies provide complex services, and those complex services come with equally complex fees. The big ones to be aware of are ETFs (early termination fees) and limited-time pricing. ETFs matter particularly for consumers who anticipate relocating regularly, including renters, students, and etc.

The best-priced plans often include ETFs and multi-year agreements so the provider knows they can make a profit even if the margin on your particular connection is not hugely profitable for them. Additionally, shoppers should be sure to compare and account for the “final price” of plans, not just the limited-time sign-up offer. Sign-up offers can save you money, but ultimately the final price matters more if you’ll be staying with the same provider for years.

Pay up-front to avoid rental fees

Modem rentals aren’t something you have to have

Modem rentals are a common offering for Internet providers, providing them with a stable source of low-cost revenue while streamlining the installation and upkeep process for customers. It’s a win-win for people who don’t want to mess with the home network or move too much for owning hardware to be practical, but it’s a losing proposition for everyone else.[1]

First, check with your provider about which makes and models of modem/router are compatible with their network. Second, pick a model that can handle the bandwidth you’re paying for. The savings on rental costs should pay for it within the year, and after that it’s a simple way to save $100 or so per year.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://broadbandnow.com/guides/renting-vs-buying-modem-whats-best-budget ↩
  2. https://www.itu.int/ITU-T/worksem/asna/presentations/Session_2/asna_0604_whitepaper_brouse.doc ↩
Last updated on 7/12/2019.

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