Is there anything more aggravating than trying to choose the most excellent Internet Service Provider? Not only are your choices constrained by geography, but plans might also be challenging to understand. Furthermore, you must usually commit to a method for at least a year or longer to get the best rates. CenturyLink and Comcast Xfinity are two of the largest internet service providers in the United States.
But, apart from the fact that they’re widely available, are they any good? Check out our complete guide for a detailed comparison of their bundles, costs, speeds, and more before committing to a plan from either carrier.
What’s available from CenturyLink and Comcast, and where can you get it? CenturyLink and Comcast Xfinity are two of the country’s largest internet service providers. Comcast’s Xfinity (a new brand for the company) is the country’s largest cable internet provider. Xfinity internet plans are available to about 100 million individuals in 39 states. They are a primary cable TV provider for most of the United States and provide Internet access. CenturyLink isn’t as big as Xfinity, but they’re not insignificant. Their DSL and fiber internet options are available in 37 states and cover 48 million people.
In general, CenturyLink covers a large area and provides rural areas. Xfinity has a more extensive customer base, but coverage is more frequent in suburban and urban regions.
Xfinity internet plans have a clear advantage in terms of availability. They have by far the most extensive service area. CenturyLink, on the other hand, is still readily available.
Which Internet Service Provider is the Best?
Both companies provide a wide range of internet download and upload speeds. Xfinity supplies cable internet. The internet is delivered to your home via the same cable as your television channels. Xfinity cable internet speeds typically top out at roughly 150 Mbps. Cable is regarded as a rapid and dependable mode of communication. Besides fiber optic, which is limited in availability, the cable is the fastest option for most Americans. The major disadvantage is that cable internet requires you to sign a contract with a cable company. Most cable companies, including Xfinity, need a one-year or longer contract. (We’ll go over this in further detail later.)
Both companies provide a wide range of internet download and upload speeds. The internet is delivered to your home via the same cable as your television channels. Xfinity cable internet speeds typically top out at roughly 150 Mbps.
Types of Internet
Cable is regarded as a rapid and dependable mode of communication. Apart from fiber optic, which is limited in availability, cable is the fastest option for most Americans. The major disadvantage is that cable internet requires you to sign a contract with a cable company. Most cable companies, including Xfinity, need a one-year or longer contract.
CenturyLink provides DSL as well as various fiber optic internet options. A Direct Subscriber Line (DSL) is an internet connection that uses regular phone lines. It has a top speed of 140 Mbps. DSL is a fast, dependable, and generally available Internet connection. It’s available in many rural regions where big cable companies haven’t yet installed cable. On the other hand, speed can be inconsistent, especially if you’re far from a service provider’s center.
CenturyLink, on the other hand, offers fiber internet. Fiber optic cables transfer data at the speed of light using thin strands of glass. CenturyLink fiber upload and download speeds can reach up to 940 Mbps. Fios (fiber optic internet service) is the most uncommon type of internet in the United States. Regrettably, it is similarly slow to grow to new areas.
CenturyLink offers fiber internet in 26 states, but coverage is not uniform across the board. It’s mostly limited to large urban areas, and even there, coverage can be spotty. Fiber optic internet also necessitates the use of specialized equipment.
What Television Services Do They Provide?
Xfinity and CenturyLink both offer TV and movie channel packages. They do, however, have some noticeable differences.
Xfinity TV Packages
As you may recall, Xfinity was once known as Comcast, and Comcast was solely a cable provider. As they expanded to include internet services, they changed their name to Xfinity (and as a way to distance themselves from the terrible public image they had at the time). Despite the name change, they are still primarily a cable firm that provides a wide range of cable channels. HGTV, TBS, Nat Geo, FX, and more popular cable networks are included in their Starter Package. If you want a wide variety of cable channels without breaking the bank, this is a fantastic option.
The Preferred plan is the next step up. It has over 220 channels, including IFC, Disney XD, NBA TV, and specialty content. If you’re a significant TV watcher with a diverse set of interests, this is a beautiful alternative.
Finally, the Premium plan is available. There are approximately 260 channels available, including HBO, Showtime, Starz, and Cinemax. It’s ideal for cinema buffs. The NFL Red Zone is also included in the Premium plan, which isn’t perfect. The Preferred option provides access to all other major sports. If you want to watch NFL games, you can end up paying for channels you don’t wish to because the Premium package is so strongly oriented on movies.
Options for CenturyLink TV
Because CenturyLink’s TV selections have recently been altered, they can be a little perplexing. Prism TV was CenturyLink’s television offering until 2018. You don’t need cable or satellite because it’s an internet-based TV service. You must, however, be a CenturyLink fiber customer. MTV, Cartoon Network, AMC, ESPN, and other networks are available on Prism TV. HBO, Showtime, and other premium movie networks are available to subscribers.
They come with a relatively conventional set of features that you’d find in most television entertainment bundles. You can simultaneously stream various content on up to three devices. You may also use the DVR to record shows. Except for local stations, practically all programming can be streamed to any device with an internet connection.
The most basic plan is Prism Essential. The service is $69.99 a month, plus $9.99 for the set-top box rental. In addition, you must sign a two-year contract. The Essential plan comes with 165 channels with a diverse selection of programming but no premium movie channels. It’s comparable to Xfinity’s Starter Package but with a few extra tracks.
Prism Complete includes a range of specialized channels, including BBC American, Fuse, and others, for $74.99 per month. Complete, like Essential, requires a two-year subscription and a monthly set-top box rental of $9.99. The Complete plan is comparable to Xfinity’s Preferred method but with a few extra channels.
Who is the best among these?
CenturyLink has much clearer pricing. You should have no problem visiting their website and understanding exactly how much each package costs and what it includes. Transmission is much more challenging to deal with. Their prices change all the time. You won’t know precisely what is available until you call and speak directly with a representative. But just because CenturyLink is easier to deal with doesn’t mean they always offer the best prices. When you call Comcast, make sure you understand what similar options are at CenturyLink. If you can get a better price for a Comcast package, you may want to commit to a long-term contract.
However, the opposite can also be true. If you find a great price on CenturyLink’s services, you can lock in that price – literally – for life. CenturyLink offers a lifetime price guarantee. The price you pay for the first month of Internet service or a TV/internet package is the same price you will pay every month you continue to use their service. In addition, CenturyLink does not require long-term contracts. You pay each month for as long as you want, and then you can discontinue service at any time.
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