CenturyLink vs. SFCN
Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side
Check which is available at your address
Whether you’re researching CenturyLink vs. SFCN 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 SFCN?
SFCN is faster and cheaper to start where you can get it, but CenturyLink reaches 929 times as many people, so at most addresses CenturyLink is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 40,704 people), SFCN has the faster top speed for 100% of homes.
| CenturyLink |
|---|
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| Price: $55.00 - $75.00 / mo. |
| Speed: 10 - 8,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: DSL and fiber |
Rating (Reviews): (183) |
| SFCN |
|---|
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| Price: $45.00 - $275.00 / mo. |
| Speed: 10,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fiber and cable |
Rating (Reviews): (1) |
CenturyLink vs. SFCN at a glance
| Measure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available to | 39.8 million people in 20 states | 42,824 people in 1 state |
| Main technology | DSL 96%, fiber 19% | Fiber 100%, cable 100% |
| Top download speed filed with the FCC | 8,000 Mbps | 10,000 Mbps |
| Fastest plan we list | 940 Mbps down, 940 Mbps up | 9,300 Mbps down, 9,300 Mbps up |
| Starting price | $55 a month | $45 a month |
| Cheapest plan, first 2 years | $1,320 (100 Mbps plan) | $1,080 (300 Mbps plan) |
| Customer rating | 3.2 of 5 (181 reviews) | 4.0 of 5 (1 reviews) |
| Rated for speed | 3.2 of 5 | 4.0 of 5 |
| Rated for price | 3.4 of 5 | 5.0 of 5 |
| Where both are offered | About 40,704 people (95% of SFCN's area); SFCN is faster for 100% 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 SFCN are available
CenturyLink and SFCN 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 | SFCN 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.
Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: CenturyLink coverage map and SFCN coverage map.
Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether CenturyLink, SFCN or both are offered at your home.
CenturyLink vs. SFCN Speeds and Technology
CenturyLink and SFCN 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, SFCN offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 10,000 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, SFCN’s top-tier Fiber 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. SFCN Plans and Prices
Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for CenturyLink and SFCN, 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
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Unlimited Internet | $55.00 | 100 Mbps | Not listed | DSL |
| Fiber Internet | $75.00 | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber |
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.
SFCN Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLUS | $45.00 | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Premium | $75.00 | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Fiber |
| Platinum | $275.00 | 9300 Mbps | 9300 Mbps | Fiber |
Sourced from pricing published on SFCN'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.
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. SFCN Customer Ratings and Reviews
Compare how real customers rate CenturyLink and SFCN based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.
CenturyLink vs. SFCN 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
SFCN Service
Fee
Not Provided by SFCN
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. SFCN 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"
SFCN
Too few written reviews to sum up yet (1); these lines come from our data.
Pros
- Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 100% of those homes.
- Cheaper to start: $45 a month, vs $55 from CenturyLink.
- Mostly fiber: 100% of the homes it serves, vs 19% for CenturyLink.
Cons
CenturyLink vs. SFCN Top Cities
CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while SFCN is available in 5 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.
CenturyLink Cities
- Availability: 92.09%
- Avg. Download Speed: 237 Mbps
- Availability: 78.67%
- Avg. Download Speed: 327 Mbps
- Availability: 94.75%
- Avg. Download Speed: 412 Mbps
- Availability: 61.61%
- Avg. Download Speed: 414 Mbps
- Availability: 92.21%
- Avg. Download Speed: 306 Mbps
Overlapping Cities
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 149 Mbps
- SFCN Avg. Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 121 Mbps
- SFCN Avg. Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 274 Mbps
- SFCN Avg. Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 116 Mbps
- SFCN Avg. Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 86 Mbps
- SFCN Avg. Speed: 10,000 Mbps
SFCN Cities
- Availability: 6.38%
- Avg. Download Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- Availability: 93.32%
- Avg. Download Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- Availability: 10.23%
- Avg. Download Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- Availability: 1.34%
- Avg. Download Speed: 10,000 Mbps
- Availability: 84.21%
- Avg. Download Speed: 10,000 Mbps

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