Verizon High Speed Internet vs. CenturyLink Internet

Verizon High Speed Internet users can expect download speeds of up to 15 Mbps — enough for browsing the internet and some light streaming, but not enough for HD or 4K video quality. For rural users, it may be the best alternative to satellite internet. Verizon High Speed Internet costs as low as $40 per month without home phone service.

CenturyLink boasts a more extensive repertoire of options. In addition to a DSL network capable of download speeds up to 100 Mbps, CenturyLink offers fiber internet service to over 12.2 million people. The fiber network is capable of speeds of up to 940 Mbps. Expect to pay between $50 and $75 per month.

DSL and fiber networks perform differently, so make sure you choose the best option for your household needs.

Both providers offer a home phone service bundle. CenturyLink will help facilitate the purchase of DIRECTV or Dish Network, but it doesn’t provide bundles that include traditional cable TV. It also typically offers gift cards for new customers who sign up for a new prepaid residential plan. Verizon High Speed Internet plans waive the activation fee for users who sign up online.

Verizon High Speed Internet lacks variety, but it makes up for it with consistency. A basic plan costs $40 per month — no more, no less. You can expect up to 15 Mbps download speeds, which is significantly slower than CenturyLink’s DSL network. Verizon is more well known for its Verizon Fios service.

CenturyLink is one of the largest DSL and fiber internet providers in the U.S. Like Verizon High Speed Internet, CenturyLink’s DSL plans include consistent pricing: $50 a month, regardless of network speed. CenturyLink’s DSL network is capable of much faster speeds than Verizon High Speed Internet, clocking in at a blistering 100 Mbps top speed.

Verizon High Speed Internet vs. CenturyLink: Packages Compared

Henry Ford once said of the Ford Model T, “Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black.” Verizon High Speed Internet subscribes to a similar ethos: You can bundle any service you like, so long as it’s home phone service.

CenturyLink is light-years ahead of Verizon High Speed Internet in this regard. You can include home phone service as a traditional bundle, and you’ll also have the option of pairing CenturyLink internet service with DIRECTV, DIRECTV STREAM, or Dish Network.

Verizon High Speed Internet vs. CenturyLink: Extra Fees and Contracts

Neither Verizon High Speed Internet nor CenturyLink requires contracts, so you won’t encounter early termination fees if you cancel your agreement early.

Installation

Both providers charge for professional installation, but neither charges for self-installation.

Data Cap

Neither Verizon High Speed Internet nor CenturyLink plans include data caps. You get unrestricted access to the internet with no worries about data overage fees.

Verizon High Speed Internet vs. CenturyLink: Customer Satisfaction

Verizon High Speed Internet has award-winning customer service, earning high ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), American Customer Satisfaction Index, and J.D. Power.

Where Verizon High Speed Internet shines, CenturyLink falls flat. CenturyLink’s customer-service rating is currently under review by the BBB. CenturyLink offers several customer-service options, but, based on low ratings by J.D. Power and the American Customer Satisfaction Index, users should temper their expectations.