CenturyLink
Verizon 5G

CenturyLink vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet

Learn more about CenturyLink and Verizon 5G:

Learn more about CenturyLink and Verizon 5G

CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet are solid options for internet service. The former has been in the internet market for a while, whereas the latter launched recently but already has proven its chops as an internet provider with fast speeds. CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet share some similarities, but we’ve noted key differences below to help you decide which is best for you.

CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G Overall Comparison

CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G Overall Comparison

  • Speed

    100 Mbps - 940 Mbps

  • Pricing

    $30 - $70/mo.

  • Service Type

    DSL, Fiber, Copper, Fixed Wireless

  • Equipment Fee

    $15 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

  • Speed

    300 Mbps - 1 Gbps

  • Pricing

    $50 - $70/mo.

  • Service Type

    Fixed Wireless

  • Equipment Fee

    $0 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

CenturyLink offers DSL and fiber internet plans. DSL uses existing telephone lines to send high frequencies, while fiber uses light pulses in optical cables to send data. The difference in the services’ speeds is significant, but their pricing is similar. CenturyLink’s DSL service is available in 20 states, with the most coverage in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. Its fiber service is available in 20 states, with the most coverage in Colorado, Utah, and Washington.

Verizon 5G Home Internet plans operate on the latest fixed wireless technology via the 5G network, which transmits data at high frequencies using wireless radio waves and cellular towers. This upgraded technology provides download speeds up to 1 Gbps. Verizon’s plans are affordable despite being a new service, so it’s a great alternative to satellite internet if you live in a rural area.

CenturyLink vs Verizon 5G: Best Deals

Internet Deals

CenturyLink deals vary, but they sometimes include gift cards, free installation, and free streaming service subscriptions. Verizon 5G Home Internet mainly offers up to a year of the Disney Bundle for free, which includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN Plus. These deals change often, so check back for the most up-to-date promotions.

Pros and Cons By Provider

Pros and Cons By Provider

CenturyLink Pros

  • Nationwide coverage
  • No contracts or data caps
  • Great promotions for new customers
  • Fast gigabit speeds

CenturyLink Cons

  • Speeds vary by area
  • Limited plan options

Verizon 5G Home Internet Pros

  • Plug-and-play setup
  • Excellent customer support
  • No data caps, contracts, or equipment
  • 2- to 3-year price guarantee

Verizon 5G Home Internet Cons

  • Limited availability
  • Slower speeds than fiber

CenturyLink is one of the largest DSL and fiber internet providers, and it’s widely available across the U.S. It offers competitive pricing and no data caps, and it doesn’t require contracts. It may seem like a no-brainer to choose CenturyLink with its ongoing promotions and super-fast download speeds, but actual speeds vary depending on the area and its customer service isn’t up to standard.

Verizon 5G Home Internet keeps it simple with no data caps, no contracts, and no equipment fees — a trifecta that will entice anyone. It also offers a two- to three-year price lock, even without a contract. Installation is a cinch with the plug-and-play setup, so you don’t have to pay for a technician to install internet in your home. One major downside is that the 5G network isn’t as accessible, but Verizon has plans to expand its newest service.

CenturyLink vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Packages Compared

CenturyLink doesn’t offer its own TV service, but instead partners with DIRECTV. The company has a home phone service, which you can bundle with your internet plan. These bundles come with a variety of deals, such as prepaid Mastercards. Select TV bundles include premium channels such as HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax.

Verizon 5G Home Internet doesn’t offer as many bundles, nor does it have TV service. When you pair your internet plan with a 5G mobile plan, however, you can get a significant discount on your monthly internet bill. When doing the calculations, you may earn hundreds of dollars in savings.

CenturyLink vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Extra Fees and Contracts

Neither CenturyLink nor Verizon 5G Home Internet requires a contract, but they offer optional contracts if you’d rather sign one. If you do, then be aware of early termination fees (ETFs), which can be very expensive when you cancel your agreement early. Both providers charge hefty ETFs, so it’s usually better to go contract-free.

Installation

CenturyLink’s technician installation fee is expensive, but it can be avoided by opting for self-installation. Verizon 5G Home Internet doesn’t have an installation fee since it’s an easy plug-and-play setup.

Data Cap

CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet both offer unlimited data on all their plans. You don’t have to worry about data overage fees, and you can get unrestricted access to the internet.

CenturyLink vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet: Customer Satisfaction

Customer service is important in every industry, and it’s clear who has the better service here. The Better Business Bureau gave Verizon an A+, while CenturyLink remains unscored by the BBB due to an ongoing review of the company’s standing.

CenturyLink vs. Verizon 5G Internet Review

We asked BroadbandNow users to review CenturyLink based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 4306 for CenturyLink. CenturyLink earned an average score of 3.14 out of 5.

As of May 2023, BroadBandNow’s editorial team has not been able to survey enough Verizon 5G customers to provide a comprehensive understanding of how this service is meeting customers’ needs or expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions About CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet

  • Is CenturyLink cheaper than Verizon 5G Home Internet?

    CenturyLink’s cheapest DSL internet-only plan is $50 per month, while its cheapest fiber internet-only plan is $30 per month. Verizon 5G Home Internet offers affordable plans despite being new to the market.

  • Who has faster speeds: CenturyLink or Verizon 5G Home Internet?

    CenturyLink’s download speeds reach up to 940 Mbps, while Verizon 5G Home Internet’s speeds can reach up to 1 Gbps.

  • Do CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet have unlimited data?

    Both CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet offer unlimited data on all their internet plans.

  • Do CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet require a contract?

    CenturyLink and Verizon 5G Home Internet don’t require contracts, but they offer them if you want to take advantage of specific deals that require a signed contract.