Which is better, CenturyLink or Northwest Communications?

Northwest Communications is faster where you can get it, but CenturyLink reaches 378 times as many people, so at most addresses CenturyLink is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 47,370 people), Northwest Communications has the faster top speed for 72% of homes.

FasterNorthwest CommunicationsFaster for 72% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startToo close to callWe do not list plans for both yet.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (181 and 2).

Available to more peopleCenturyLink39.8 million people in 20 states, vs 105,267 in 1 state.

CenturyLink
Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (183)
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Northwest Communications
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 10 - 1,500 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, fiber, cable, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (2)
View Plans

CenturyLink vs. Northwest Communications at a glance

Measure	CenturyLink	Northwest Communications
Available to	39.8 million people in 20 states	105,267 people in 1 state
Main technology	DSL 96%, fiber 19%	Fixed wireless 90%, fiber 12%, cable 4.1%, DSL 2.9%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	8,000 Mbps	1,500 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up	Not listed
Starting price	$55 a month	Not listed
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$1,320 (100 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	3.2 of 5 (181 reviews)	3.5 of 5 (2 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.2 of 5	5.0 of 5
Rated for price	3.4 of 5	4.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 47,370 people (45% of Northwest Communications's area); Northwest Communications is faster for 72% of them, the same top speed for 10%

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 Northwest Communications are available

CenturyLink and Northwest Communications 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.

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, Northwest Communications serves 106,219 residents in 161 cities and 16 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Storm Lake, IA; Algona, IA; and Cherokee, IA.

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

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

CenturyLink vs. Northwest Communications Speeds and Technology

CenturyLink and Northwest Communications 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, CenturyLink offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 237 Mbps compared to Northwest Communications’s average speed of 211 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, Northwest Communications’s top-tier Cable is available to 4.1% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

CenturyLink vs. Northwest Communications Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, Northwest Communications has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

If you represent Northwest Communications, getting listed is simple: publish your machine-readable broadband label file, or send your current plan lineup through our contact page, and your plans will appear here shortly after verification.

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. Northwest Communications Customer Ratings and Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, CenturyLink earns an overall rating of 3.23 / 5 stars from 183 customer reviews, while Northwest Communications maintains a 3.50 / 5 rating from 2 reviews. Northwest Communications outperforms CenturyLink by 0.3 points in overall satisfaction. CenturyLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.81 / 5 stars, compared to Northwest Communications’s highest-rated service, Fixed Wireless, at 4.00 / 5 stars.

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. Northwest Communications 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"

Northwest Communications

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (2); these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 72% of those homes.

Cons

CenturyLink vs. Northwest Communications Top Cities

CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Northwest Communications is available in 161 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.