CenturyLink vs. AT&T- Which of these is the best internet service provider in the country?

Based on extensive research, AT&T and CenturyLink have provedto be among the top internet providers in the United States. They offer both DSL and fiber internet services alongside phone and TV services.

CenturyLink and AT&T are both spectacular internet service providers in the United States. In fact, AT&T has been ranked second as the largest DSL provider while CenturyLink has been ranked third so you know these are giants in the industry. One thing I have liked the most about these providers is the inclusivity. Areas that do not have fiber services can opt for the DSL internet which has a widespread coverage.While AT&T and CenturyLink share few similarities there are still some notable differences to help you pick between the two.

When to use CenturyLink

Would I recommend to this ISP? I definitely would for a number of reasons. CenturyLink offers impressively high speeds at affordable prices with no contracts required. It is one of the best Internet service providers that locks you to your monthly bill. Thismonthly bundle can cover digital TV service as well as phone services depending on what you need.

When to use AT&T Internet service

AT&Toffers DSL, fiber and fixed wireless OPTIONS. Well, that is a lot to choose from so you are assured to find something befitting. AT&T is the best choice for you with the quality fast download speeds at very affordable packages available countrywide.

Features	CenturyLink (Winner)	AT&T
Number of data plan packages	6	4
Price Range	$45.00-$55.00	$49.99-59.99
Download speeds	20Mbps-140Mbps	10Mbps-940Mbps
Contract	No	Yes
Connection type	Fiber, DSL	Fiber, Cable, DSL
Data cap	Unlimited	Unlimited

How to evaluate CenturyLink and AT&T

While internet service providers may seem eerily similar, there are a few things you should look out for to easily tell them apart. My experience with CenturyLink and AT&T has taught me that while they are not without hiccups, they still deliver on impressive performance. Here is criteria we use to rank these two formidable companies:

• Bundling- this entails the flexibility of a company from TV, phone and internet services all under one subscription
• Connection type- You can choose from connections like DSL, cable and fiber with fiber ranking highest of these
• Download speeds- the faster data gets transmitted through channels the better the experience
• Data caps-some services limit the amount of data you can download fromthe internet but fortunately most give an unlimited service. It is important to know that some things like streaming 4K requires unlimited data cap or a high limit if any
• Price- we are always looking for affordable packages with fast speeds as the best picks

CenturyLink vs. AT&T – A comparison overview

CenturyLink overview

CenturyLink offers high speed quality internet at pocket friendly prices with the best feature that they do not need your signature. Yes, CenturyLink does not have any contracts and is one of the internet service providers in the country that accepts monthly subscriptions. The only downside is the availability of fiber across the country butDSL services are available in areas where the fiber is not. That aside, CenturyLink offers quality customer service as well as internet service suitable for home and office activities.

Internet Plan	Price	Download Speeds	Connection Type	Details
15Mbps Internet plan only	$49	15Mbps	DSL	View plan
20Mbps Internet Plan Only	$49	20Mbps	DSL	View plan
40Mbps Internet Plan Only	$49	40Mbps	DSL	View plan
80Mbps Internet Plan Only	$49	80Mbps	DSL	View plan
100Mbps Internet Plan Only	$49	100Mbps	DSL	View plan
CenturyLink Internet Plan Only	$65	940Mbps	Fiber	View plan

CenturyLink has 6 plans with a wide range of speeds. Do keep in mind that unlike other networks, no matter the speed you roughly get the same bill for speeds from 15-100Mbps. With CenturyLink ISP you get the most juice for same price and who wouldn’t want that offer? It is a bummer though that these download speeds all depend on where you live. If your area cannot receive 80Mbps you might be better off finding another close by.

To add, CenturyLink link gives its longtime customers decent prices. The only downer is that it has a 1TB data limit on most of its plans and once your reach the limit you get notified but not disconnected from the service. You can pay an additional fee for more data.

Pros

• You do not get any surprise hikes
• Countrywide broadband coverage
• Dedicated DSL connection

Cons

• Slow speeds when further from the ISP radius.

AT&T overview

AT&T has nationwide coverage and is well known for the phone services, TV and superb internet connection it offers. I have used AT&T throughout the year and I have been fully impressed by how they are so dedicated to their customers having the best services at all times.

If you use internet for basic web browsing, then fiber connection from AT&T might not be necessary as DSL connection is well up to the task. The connection is available everywhere and is extremely reliable. With speeds from 50Mbps you can stream 4K movies and play games with standard visual quality, adequate speeds for home use. If you handle heavy data with your internet, then the fiber connection is the one for you. For gamers and techies, the fiber connection by AT&T is easily the best.

AT&T Internet Plans	Download Speeds up to	Monthly Prices	Services Included	Details
Internet 100	100Mbps	$49.99	Internet	View plan
Gig Internet 1000	1000Mbps	$49.99	Internet	View plan
AT&T internet + AT&T TV	1000Mbps	$79.98	Internet and TV	View plan
AT&T Internet DirecTV	100Mbps	$79.98	Internet and TV	View plan

There are a number of AT&T plans that come and go seasonally based on the location you are at but you are still guaranteed quality services always. I would highly recommend the AT&T fiber connection but it is also important to consider your location before signing any internet service contract. This is because termination of the contract may lead to an extra fee of up to $325 which is costly.

Pros

• Top notch customer service
• Fair gigabit prices
• Great internet packages
• Nationwide coverage

Cons

• Limited Fiber coverage
• Inconsistent DSL speeds

How does CenturyLink and AT&T compare?

Number of data plans

The number of data plans gives customers a room to maneuver from one package to another. CenturyLink has 6 data packages while AT&T offers 4 data packages. Clearly CenturyLink wins out as it also has cheaper packages to choose from.

Cost

No one would want to incur so much for mediocre internet. In this case, AT&T data plans are more expensive compared to CenturyLink but that does not mean CenturyLink lags behind with poor services.

Connection Type

The mode of the connection really matters with fiber known to be the best type. However, both CenturyLink and AT&T have DSL, Fiber and Cable connection. It just depends on your location.  Their DSL connection covers most parts of the country.

Download speeds

The speed can be a primary factor for best ISP. AT&T has faster internet speeds of up to 1000Mbps compared to 950Mbps by CenturyLink.

Conclusion

If you are going for cheap internet, and you do not mind slightly slower speeds then CenturyLink is the best pick for you.It still gets the job done without having to break your bank.

FAQ’s

What is a good internet speed for home use?

Averagely 12-25Mbps is enough for a standard home set.

Which is the best ISP for gaming?

The best for gaming in this industry is AT&T as it even supports 4k ultra HD gaming.