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CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband

Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side

Whether you’re researching CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

Which is better, CenturyLink or Anthem Broadband?

Anthem Broadband is faster and cheaper to start where you can get it, but CenturyLink reaches 34 times as many people, so at most addresses CenturyLink is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 1 million people), Anthem Broadband has the faster top speed for 54% of homes.

FasterAnthem BroadbandFaster for 54% of homes where both are offered.
Cheaper to startAnthem BroadbandFrom $49.95 a month, vs $55.
Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (181 and 0).
Available to more peopleCenturyLink39.8 million people in 20 states, vs 1.2 million in 4 states.
CenturyLink
Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): 3 of 5 stars (177)

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Anthem Broadband
Price: $49.95 - $249.00 / mo.
Speed: 25 - 2,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): No rating yet (0)

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CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband at a glance

Measure CenturyLink Anthem Broadband
Available to39.8 million people in 20 states1.2 million people in 4 states
Main technologyDSL 96%, fiber 19%Fixed wireless 97%, fiber 3.4%
Top download speed filed with the FCC8,000 Mbps2,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up
Starting price$55 a month$49.95 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years$1,320 (100 Mbps plan)$1,199 (25 Mbps plan)
Customer rating3.2 of 5 (181 reviews)No reviews yet
Rated for speed3.2 of 5No reviews yet
Rated for price3.4 of 5No reviews yet
Where both are offeredAbout 1 million people (86% of Anthem Broadband's area); Anthem Broadband is faster for 54% of them, the same top speed for 14%

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where CenturyLink and Anthem Broadband are available

CenturyLink and Anthem Broadband have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Both Providers Available | CenturyLink Available | Anthem Broadband Available | No Coverage

CenturyLink currently offers internet service in 5,326 cities and 574 counties across 20 states, reaching approximately 40,620,740 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Phoenix, AZ; Minneapolis, MN; and Denver, CO. By comparison, Anthem Broadband serves 1,182,183 residents in 185 cities and 28 counties in 4 states, with a presence in population centers such as Boise, ID; Nampa, ID; and Meridian, ID.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: CenturyLink coverage map and Anthem Broadband coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether CenturyLink, Anthem Broadband or both are offered at your home.

CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband Speeds and Technology

CenturyLink and Anthem Broadband utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Anthem Broadband offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 534 Mbps compared to CenturyLink’s average speed of 237 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. CenturyLink’s premium Fiber service reaches 18.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Anthem Broadband’s top-tier Fiber is available to 3.4% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink and Anthem Broadband, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

CenturyLink Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Simply Unlimited Internet$55.00100 MbpsNot listedDSL
Fiber Internet$75.00940 Mbps940 MbpsFiber

Sourced from pricing published on CenturyLink's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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Anthem Broadband Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Basic Wireless Value$49.9525 Mbps5 MbpsFixed Wireless
Value Fiber$79.00250 Mbps250 MbpsFiber
Advanced Wireless Max HD$79.95500 Mbps100 MbpsFixed Wireless
Fast Fiber$99.00500 Mbps500 MbpsFiber
Max Fiber$119.001000 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber
Ultimate Fiber$249.002000 Mbps2000 MbpsFiber

Sourced directly from Anthem Broadband's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate CenturyLink and Anthem Broadband based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

CenturyLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.81 of 5 stars

(62)

DSL

DSL: 2.95 of 5 stars

(120)

CenturyLink has an overall rating of 3.23 out of 5, with a total of 183 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into CenturyLink’s ratings, their DSL service (66% of reviews) averages 2.95 / 5 stars, higher than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our CenturyLink Internet Reviews page.

CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband Fees and Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

CenturyLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by CenturyLink

Anthem Broadband Service

Fee

Connection Fee

$100

Installation Charge

$100

Public IP Address

$9.95

Essential Wi-Fi

$8.95

Premium Wi-Fi

$19.95

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband Pros and Cons

CenturyLink

From 99 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

  • Good value: praised in 30 of 99 written reviews (8 call it overpriced). "I find the price is good compared to other options"
  • No contract hassles: praised in 5 of 99 written reviews. "on no contract deal"

Cons

  • Slower than promised: a complaint in 40 of 99 written reviews (22 call it fast). "slow speed, probably throttled"
  • Outages and drops: a complaint in 39 of 99 written reviews (25 call it reliable). "we had an internet outage"
  • Poor customer service: a complaint in 24 of 99 written reviews (9 praise the service). "Century Link customer service is terrible"

Anthem Broadband

No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.

Pros

  • Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 54% of those homes.
  • Cheaper to start: $49.95 a month, vs $55 from CenturyLink.

Cons

    CenturyLink vs. Anthem Broadband Top Cities

    CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Anthem Broadband is available in 185 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

    CenturyLink Cities

    Phoenix, AZ
    • Availability: 92.09%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 237 Mbps
    Minneapolis, MN
    • Availability: 78.67%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 327 Mbps
    Denver, CO
    • Availability: 94.75%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 412 Mbps
    Seattle, WA
    • Availability: 61.61%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 414 Mbps
    Las Vegas, NV
    • Availability: 92.21%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 306 Mbps

    Overlapping Cities

    Boise, ID
    • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 301 Mbps
    • Anthem Broadband Avg. Speed: 541 Mbps
    Nampa, ID
    • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 272 Mbps
    • Anthem Broadband Avg. Speed: 539 Mbps
    Meridian, ID
    • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 336 Mbps
    • Anthem Broadband Avg. Speed: 398 Mbps
    Idaho Falls, ID
    • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 292 Mbps
    • Anthem Broadband Avg. Speed: 293 Mbps
    Caldwell, ID
    • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 247 Mbps
    • Anthem Broadband Avg. Speed: 771 Mbps

    Anthem Broadband Cities

    Boise, ID
    • Availability: 78.47%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 548 Mbps
    Nampa, ID
    • Availability: 91.70%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 546 Mbps
    Meridian, ID
    • Availability: 71.02%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 396 Mbps
    Idaho Falls, ID
    • Availability: 89.07%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 291 Mbps
    Caldwell, ID
    • Availability: 98.22%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 762 Mbps