Verizon High Speed Internet vs. CenturyLink Internet

Verizon High Speed Internet and CenturyLink are two major internet providers in the U.S. that offer reliable DSL networks. CenturyLink also offers access to the faster speeds of its fiber network. Take a look below for the similarities and differences between the two providers, and find out which best suits your needs.

Verizon High Speed Internet users can expect download speeds up to 15 Mbps. While it’s not a ton of speed, it’s enough for browsing the internet and some light streaming. If you want HD or 4K video quality, though, you’re going to want a faster internet plan. 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 up to 940 Mbps. It should be noted that 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.

CenturyLink and Verizon High Speed Internet Both Lack Real Bundle Options

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 only slightly 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 or DISH Network (an option that anyone has with any other internet provider).

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 and CenturyLink Offer Similar Fee Structures

Verizon High Speed Internet Is Slightly Better for Installation

Both providers charge for professional installation, but neither charges for self-installation. That said, Verizon is known for waiving the professional installation fee, while CenturyLink doesn’t have a history of that type of promotion.

Neither Provider Enforces Data Caps

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 Has a Better Customer Service History Than CenturyLink

Verizon has award-winning customer service, earning high ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), and J.D. Power. That said, its DSL product pulls most of the poor reviews about the company, as it is extremely slow for the cost.

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 the ACSI, users should temper their expectations.