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Centurylink vs. Astound Broadband

Whether you’re researching Centurylink vs. Astound 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.

Centurylink
Price: $50.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (163)

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Astound Broadband
Price: $20.00 - $290.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (109)

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Centurylink and Astound Broadband compete directly in approximately 2.03% of their service areas, with Centurylink covering 40,883,758 people nationwide and Astound Broadband serving 12,865,516. Centurylink primarily delivers internet through a DSL connection; Astound Broadband specializes in cable connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of Centurylink and Astound Broadband's availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

Centurylink vs. Astound Broadband | Pros & Cons

Centurylink Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • No contracts required
  • Fiber service available

Cons:

  • Limited plan variety
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Installation fees apply

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Astound Broadband Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Offers discounted intro pricing
  • Wide range of plan options
  • No contracts required

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Limited fiber availability
  • Installation fees apply

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Centurylink vs. Astound Broadband | Availability

Centurylink and Astound 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 | Astound Broadband Available | No Coverage

Centurylink currently offers internet service in 5,322 cities and 572 counties across 20 states, reaching approximately 40,883,758 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Phoenix, AZ; Minneapolis, MN; and Denver, CO. By comparison, Astound Broadband serves 12,865,516 residents in 1,036 cities and 138 counties in 13 states, with a presence in population centers such as Chicago, IL; New York, NY; and Boston, MA.

Centurylink has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 13 indicates they focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities..

Astound Broadband is prominent in nationwide with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 4, Astound Broadband focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about Centurylink and Astound Broadband at your location, use our address search tool:

Centurylink vs. Astound Broadband | Speeds & Technology

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

Across their service areas, Centurylink primarily delivers internet through DSL, available to 93.9% of their customers. They also offer fiber to 18.5% of their coverage area. Astound Broadband relies on cable technology, which comprises 87.5% of their network, with fiber available in 18.5% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Astound Broadband offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,563 Mbps compared to Centurylink's average speed of 238 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, Astound Broadband delivers faster speeds in 0.01% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 0.65%, and slower speeds in 99.34%.

The availability of each provider's fastest technology varies significantly by location. Centurylink's premium Fiber service reaches 18.5% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Astound Broadband's top-tier Fiber is available to 18.5% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Centurylink vs. Astound Broadband | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Centurylink and Astound Broadband, sourced directly from FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband labels to ensure transparency and accuracy. We've included both promotional and standard rates for each provider to give you a complete picture of what you'll pay over time. Plan availability and exact pricing may vary by location.

Centurylink Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber Internet 500$50.00500 Mbps500 MbpsFiber
Simply Unlimited Internet$55.00100 Mbps20 MbpsDSL
Fiber Gigabit$75.00940 Mbps940​ MbpsFiber

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

Centurylink Plans

Astound Broadband Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Internet 300$20.00 ($35.99 after 12 months)300 Mbps20 MbpsCable
Internet 600$25.00 ($45.99 after 12 months)600 Mbps20 MbpsCable
Internet 1 Gig$40.00 ($55.99 after 12 months)1000 Mbps20 MbpsCable
Internet 1.5 Gig$50.00 ($85.99 after 12 months)1500 Mbps1000 MbpsFiber
Internet 5 Gig$280.00 ($290.00 after 12 months)5000 Mbps5000 MbpsFiber

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

Astound Broadband Plans

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. Astound Broadband | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, Centurylink earns an overall rating of 3.31 / 5 stars from 163 customer reviews, while Astound Broadband maintains a 3.35 / 5 rating from 109 reviews. Astound Broadband outperforms Centurylink by 0.04 points in overall satisfaction. Centurylink's best-rated service is their fiber offering at 3.84 / 5 stars, compared to Astound Broadband's highest-rated service, fixed wireless, at 4.75 / 5 stars.

Centurylink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.84 of 5 stars

58

Cable

Cable: 3.00 of 5 stars

5

DSL

DSL: 3.01 of 5 stars

90

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 2.75 of 5 stars

4

Centurylink has an overall rating of 3.31 out of 5, with a total of 163 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 (55% of reviews) averages 3.01 / 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.

Astound Broadband Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.37 of 5 stars

19

Cable

Cable: 3.31 of 5 stars

81

DSL

DSL: 2.67 of 5 stars

3

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 4.75 of 5 stars

4

Astound Broadband has an overall rating of 3.35 out of 5, with a total of 109 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Astound Broadband's ratings, their cable service (74% of reviews) averages 3.31 / 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 Astound Broadband Internet Reviews page.

Centurylink vs. Astound Broadband | Fees & 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

Facility Relocation (CTL) Fee

Up to $1.50

Modem lease (optional)

$15-17

Astound Broadband Service

Fee

Pro install (optional)

$79.95

Activation (new acct)

$9.99

Network access fee

~$10/mo

Equipment rental

$14.49/mo​

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. Astound Broadband | Top Cities

Centurylink serves 5,322 cities while Astound Broadband is available in 1,036 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

Centurylink Cities

Phoenix, AZ
  • Availability: 92.50%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 218 Mbps
Minneapolis, MN
  • Availability: 79.41%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 329 Mbps
Denver, CO
  • Availability: 95.57%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 420 Mbps
Seattle, WA
  • Availability: 62.48%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 429 Mbps
Las Vegas, NV
  • Availability: 93.41%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 299 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Seattle, WA
  • Centurylink Avg. Speed: 429 Mbps
  • Astound Broadband Avg. Speed: 1,791 Mbps
Portland, OR
  • Centurylink Avg. Speed: 609 Mbps
  • Astound Broadband Avg. Speed: 1,479 Mbps
Port Orchard, WA
  • Centurylink Avg. Speed: 100 Mbps
  • Astound Broadband Avg. Speed: 1,537 Mbps
Longview, WA
  • Centurylink Avg. Speed: 441 Mbps
  • Astound Broadband Avg. Speed: 1,796 Mbps
Port Angeles, WA
  • Centurylink Avg. Speed: 245 Mbps
  • Astound Broadband Avg. Speed: 1,541 Mbps

Astound Broadband Cities

Chicago, IL
  • Availability: 28.29%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,500 Mbps
New York, NY
  • Availability: 8.93%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,500 Mbps
Boston, MA
  • Availability: 25.54%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,500 Mbps
Manhattan, NY
  • Availability: 60.02%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,500 Mbps
San Francisco, CA
  • Availability: 17.74%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,504 Mbps