CenturyLink vs Cable ONE

Angelo Ilumba Senior Writer

Updated 15 December 2023

In this Guide

Internet Speeds
Cost, Data and Value for Money
Availability
Customer Reviews
Bundle Packages
Winner: CenturyLink vs Cable ONE

Article Summary

CenturyLink is an internet service provider offering primarily DSL service to its many customers across the country (with fiber available in select locations).

Cable ONE is a cable company and internet service provider offering mostly cable connections with some fiber available.

Both companies can provide high speed internet to their customers, but which one is better? We compare the two companies in categories like speed, cost, coverage, and reviews to help you figure out which company is right for you.

CenturyLink vs Cable ONE

Provider	Speed	Cost	Coverage	Reviews	Bundles
CenturyLink	4	3	4	4	2.5	Go
Cable ONE	4	3.5	2	2	4	Go

CenturyLink vs Cable ONE: Internet Speeds

Winner: Cable ONE

Both Cable ONE and CenturyLink offer up fiber connections with internet speeds reaching up to 1,000Mbps. However, fiber connections aren't the most widely available types of connections. Cable ONE's main type of internet connection is, as you can imagine, cable. Meanwhile, CenturyLink links (see what I did there?) up most of their customers with DSL internet.

The difference in their main connection types tells us a lot when it comes to comparing speeds. Generally speaking, cable internet more reliable reaches higher speeds than DSL. Cable ONE offers up several internet packages with speeds topping out over 100Mbps which is CenturyLink's top speed with their DSL connection.

Cost, Data and Value for Money

Winner: Cable ONE

Monthly Cost

CenturyLink has one advantage over Cable ONE when it comes to monthly cost. That is, with CenturyLink you're locked into the introductory rate you sign up with for life (or at least for as long as you're with CenturyLink). Cable ONE on the other hand will start you off with an introductory rate that pops up to a full rate after 6 months of service.

How Cable ONE wins this category, however, is due to the wide variety of options they offer at varying prices. Smart shoppers can save with Cable ONE if they know what kind of speeds they need and how much internet data they use.

Installation and Other Fees

CenturyLink and Cable ONE both charge installation fees that as well as monthly rental fees for equipment (if you need it).

The good news is that both companies often waive installation fees for new customers. Look for free installation deals whenever you are shopping for new internet service.

Data Allowance

Cable ONE sells their internet services in chunks of allowable data usage. This is how they are able to offer generally low prices. If you want unlimited internet with Cable ONE you'll have to pay an extra monthly fee that makes the bottom line price much more comparable to some of the more expensive internet providers out there.

Any CenturyLink internet plan comes with a data cap. However, this data cap is very big, and according to CenturyLink most internet users aren't ever going to really come close to the data cap. Extra fees will apply for additional data for power users who exceed to cap.

Deals

As is common with internet service providers, Cable ONE and CenturyLink often offer deals with the intention of luring new customers into buying their services. Some deals you might see from both CenturyLink and Cable ONE include free installations, various giveaways, and online exclusive pricing.

Availability: CenturyLink vs Cable ONE

Winner: CenturyLink

No contest here. CenturyLink has some of the strongest presence in the country when it comes to internet service providers. Cable ONE, on the other hand, is only available in a small handful of states. No need to elaborate further, CenturyLink is the clear winner.

Customer Reviews: CenturyLink vs Cable ONE

Winner: Tie

It's always hard to call a winner in this category when comparing internet providers. Unfortunately, it's not because internet providers are known for having extremely glowing customer reviews. The opposite is actually the case. Most internet service providers get more than their fair share of bad reviews.

Cable ONE and CenturyLink are not exceptions. Both suffer from poor reviews that tend to focus on down service, slower than promised internet speeds, and slow response times from customer service.

Bundle Packages: CenturyLink vs Cable ONE

Winner: Tie

That's right, another tie. This one is a little better than the last because CenturyLink and Cable ONE both offer a decent amount of bundles. With several combinations of services available, you're bound to find a bundle that fits your lifestyle for either company.

Winner: CenturyLink vs Cable ONE

CenturyLink

Although Cable ONE's cable is able to get you faster speeds than CenturyLink's DSL, the big discrepancy in availability is just too much for Cable ONE to recover from. Having such a small presence in the country just means that not many people can actually take advantage of their services.

However, if Cable ONE is available in your area, you should consider them to be your next internet service provider. Here are some plans from the winner CenturyLink as well as Cable ONE.

CenturyLink Internet Plans

#1	CenturyLink	CenturyLink Simply Unlimited 140 Mbps VDSL 140/20 Mbps Unlimited Data $55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. View Plan	$55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. Available in select locations. Paperless billing required.	View Plan
#2	CenturyLink	CenturyLink Simply Unlimited 100 Mbps VDSL 100/10 Mbps Unlimited Data $55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. View Plan	$55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. Available in select locations. Paperless billing required.	View Plan
#3	CenturyLink	CenturyLink Simply Unlimited 80 Mbps VDSL 80/10 Mbps Unlimited Data $55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. + $149 Upfront Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. View Plan	$55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. + $149 Upfront Available in select locations. Paperless billing required.	View Plan
#4	CenturyLink	CenturyLink Simply Unlimited 60 Mbps VDSL 60/5 Mbps Unlimited Data $55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. + $149 Upfront Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. View Plan	$55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. + $149 Upfront Available in select locations. Paperless billing required.	View Plan
#5	CenturyLink	CenturyLink Simply Unlimited 40 Mbps VDSL 40/3 Mbps Unlimited Data $55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. + $25 Upfront Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. View Plan	$55/mo Available in select locations. Paperless billing required. + $25 Upfront Available in select locations. Paperless billing required.	View Plan

Cable ONE Internet Plans

#1	WOW!	WOW! Internet 300 Cable 300/20 Mbps Unlimited Data $20/mo with AutoPay + $10 Upfront with AutoPay View Plan	$20/mo with AutoPay + $10 Upfront with AutoPay	View Plan
#2	Breezeline	Breezeline Internet 100 Cable 100/10 Mbps Unlimited Data $20/mo for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount. for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount. View Plan	$20/mo for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount. for 24 months then $45.00/month. Includes $10/mo EcoSave/ AutoPay discount.	View Plan
#3	Kinetic	Kinetic 100 Mbps Fiber 100/100 Mbps Unlimited Data $24.99/mo for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment. for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment. View Plan	$24.99/mo for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment. for 12 months. This advertised price includes a $5.00 credit for AutoPay enrollment.	View Plan
#4	Optimum	Optimum 300 Mbps Internet Cable 300/300 Mbps Unlimited Data $25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. View Plan	$25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.	View Plan
#5	Optimum	Optimum 300 Mbps Internet Cable 300/300 Mbps Unlimited Data $25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. View Plan	$25/mo with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas. with $10/month eligible Auto Pay & Paperless Bill. Wired connection. WiFi speeds may vary. Not available in all areas.	View Plan

Angelo Ilumba

Senior Writer

Angelo is a highly experienced writer for WhistleOut, specializing in unraveling the complexities of the mobile and tech world so that readers can easily understand what is relevant to them. Angelo has been featured on several publications such as MoneyTalksNews, Yahoo Finance, NPR and more.

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