CenturyLink vs. Wind River Internet
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. Wind River Internet 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 Wind River Internet?
Wind River Internet is faster where you can get it, but CenturyLink reaches 1,254 times as many people, so at most addresses CenturyLink is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 25,584 people), Wind River Internet 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) |
| Wind River Internet |
|---|
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| Price: Unavailable, please see site for details |
| Speed: 200 - 10,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber |
Rating (Reviews): (0) |
CenturyLink vs. Wind River Internet at a glance
| Measure | ||
|---|---|---|
| Available to | 39.8 million people in 20 states | 31,715 people in 1 state |
| Main technology | DSL 96%, fiber 19% | Fixed wireless 100%, fiber 19% |
| Top download speed filed with the FCC | 8,000 Mbps | 10,000 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) | No reviews yet |
| Rated for speed | 3.2 of 5 | No reviews yet |
| Rated for price | 3.4 of 5 | No reviews yet |
| Where both are offered | About 25,584 people (81% of Wind River Internet's area); Wind River Internet 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 Wind River Internet are available
CenturyLink and Wind River Internet 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 | Wind River Internet 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 Wind River Internet coverage map.
Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether CenturyLink, Wind River Internet or both are offered at your home.
CenturyLink vs. Wind River Internet Speeds and Technology
CenturyLink and Wind River Internet 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, Wind River Internet offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 2,050 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, Wind River Internet’s top-tier Fiber is available to 18.9% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.
CenturyLink vs. Wind River Internet 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, Wind River Internet 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 Wind River Internet, 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.
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.
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. Wind River Internet Customer Ratings and Reviews
Compare how real customers rate CenturyLink and Wind River Internet based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.
CenturyLink vs. Wind River Internet 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.
Wind River Internet has not provided standardized fee information through their FCC broadband label data. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess their true service costs beyond advertised rates. For current fee information, we recommend contacting Wind River Internet directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.
CenturyLink Service
Fee
Not Provided by CenturyLink
Wind River Internet Service
Fee
Not Provided by Wind River Internet
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. Wind River Internet 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"
Wind River Internet
No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.
Pros
- Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 100% of those homes.
Cons
CenturyLink vs. Wind River Internet Top Cities
CenturyLink serves 5,326 cities while Wind River Internet is available in 12 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: 11 Mbps
- Wind River Internet Avg. Speed: 1,293 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 10 Mbps
- Wind River Internet Avg. Speed: 377 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 10 Mbps
- Wind River Internet Avg. Speed: 200 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 10 Mbps
- Wind River Internet Avg. Speed: 5,765 Mbps
- CenturyLink Avg. Speed: 10 Mbps
- Wind River Internet Avg. Speed: 7,804 Mbps
Wind River Internet Cities
- Availability: 87.85%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,202 Mbps
- Availability: 87.55%
- Avg. Download Speed: 646 Mbps
- Availability: 95.92%
- Avg. Download Speed: 704 Mbps
- Availability: 99.86%
- Avg. Download Speed: 7,924 Mbps
- Availability: 86.24%
- Avg. Download Speed: 9,785 Mbps

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