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CenturyLink vs. Midstate Communications

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

Whether you’re researching CenturyLink vs. Midstate Communications 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 Midstate Communications?

CenturyLink is faster and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 939 people), CenturyLink has the faster top speed for 79% of homes.

FasterCenturyLinkTop speed 8,000 Mbps vs 45 Mbps; faster for 79% of homes where both are offered.
Cheaper to startToo close to callBoth start at $55 a month.
Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (181 and 0).
Available to more peopleCenturyLink39.8 million people in 20 states, vs 939 in 1 state.
CenturyLink
Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL and fiber
Rating (Reviews): 3 of 5 stars (183)

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Midstate Communications
Price: $55.00 - $175.00 / mo.
Speed: 45 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): No rating yet (0)

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CenturyLink vs. Midstate Communications at a glance

Measure CenturyLink Midstate Communications
Available to39.8 million people in 20 states939 people in 1 state
Main technologyDSL 96%, fiber 19%Fixed wireless 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC8,000 Mbps45 Mbps
Fastest plan we list940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up100 Mbps down, 30 Mbps up
Starting price$55 a month$55 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years$1,320 (100 Mbps plan)$1,320 (6 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 939 people (100% of Midstate Communications's area); CenturyLink is faster for 79% of them

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 Midstate Communications are available

CenturyLink and Midstate 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.

Both Providers Available | CenturyLink Available | Midstate Communications 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, Midstate Communications serves 939 residents in 7 cities and 1 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Boone, IA; Mackey, IA; and Ridgeport, IA.

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

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

CenturyLink vs. Midstate Communications Speeds and Technology

CenturyLink and Midstate 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 Midstate Communications’s average speed of 45 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, Midstate Communications’s top-tier fixed wireless is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

CenturyLink vs. Midstate Communications Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink and Midstate Communications, 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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Midstate Communications Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
6 Mbps / 3 Mbps$55.006 Mbps3 MbpsFixed Wireless
12 Mbps / 6 Mbps$75.0012 Mbps6 MbpsFixed Wireless
20 Mbps / 10 Mbps$95.0020 Mbps10 MbpsFixed Wireless
45 Mbps / 20 Mbps$120.0045 Mbps20 MbpsFixed Wireless
100 Mbps / 30 Mbps$175.00100 Mbps30 MbpsFixed Wireless

Sourced from pricing published on Midstate Communications'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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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. Midstate Communications Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate CenturyLink and Midstate Communications 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. Midstate Communications 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

Midstate Communications Service

Fee

Not Provided by Midstate Communications

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. Midstate 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"

Midstate Communications

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

Pros

    Cons

      CenturyLink vs. Midstate Communications Top Cities

      CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Midstate Communications is available in 7 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

      Boone, IA
      • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 29 Mbps
      • Midstate Communications Avg. Speed: 45 Mbps
      Mackey, IA
      • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 41 Mbps
      • Midstate Communications Avg. Speed: 45 Mbps
      Ridgeport, IA
      • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 76 Mbps
      • Midstate Communications Avg. Speed: 45 Mbps
      Jordan, IA
      • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 58 Mbps
      • Midstate Communications Avg. Speed: 45 Mbps
      Fraser, IA
      • CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 77 Mbps
      • Midstate Communications Avg. Speed: 45 Mbps

      Midstate Communications Cities

      Boone, IA
      • Availability: 3.22%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 45 Mbps
      Mackey, IA
      • Availability: 47.07%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 45 Mbps
      Ridgeport, IA
      • Availability: 38.55%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 45 Mbps
      Jordan, IA
      • Availability: 20.49%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 45 Mbps
      Fraser, IA
      • Availability: 18.49%
      • Avg. Download Speed: 45 Mbps