{"id":2270,"date":"2023-07-27T09:00:07","date_gmt":"2023-07-27T09:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routerctrl.com\/?p=2270"},"modified":"2023-07-27T09:59:58","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T09:59:58","slug":"centurylink-compatible-modems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routerctrl.com\/centurylink-compatible-modems\/","title":{"rendered":"What Modems Are Compatible With CenturyLink?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered what kind of effect would using your own modem\/router have on<\/b> your budget and your network performance? If the answer is yes, and if you\u2019re a CenturyLink<\/a> customer, you\u2019ve come to the right place. <\/b><\/p>\n

We are here to discuss the benefits of having your own CenturyLink compatible modem, tell you what to look for when buying a modem compatible with CenturyLink, and present to you our choice of the best CenturyLink compatible modems. Before we start dealing with our main topic, let\u2019s find out more about CenturyLink. <\/b><\/p>\n

CenturyLink Internet Services and Internet Plans<\/b><\/h2>\n

CenturyLink is one of the largest internet providers in the US. CenturyLink Internet<\/a> is available, in various forms, to residential and business users in 36 states. In 2019, CenturyLink had <\/span>more than 4.5 million internet subscribers<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"CenturyLink<\/p>\n

CenturyLink Internet Coverage map (source \u2013 CenturyLink<\/a>)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Coverage<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

CenturyLink\u2019s DSL network has the greatest coverage. DSL internet by CenturyLink is available to almost 50 million users across the US. That makes it the 3<\/span>rd<\/span> largest DSL provider in the States.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"CenturyLink<\/p>\n

CenturyLink DSL Coverage map (provided by <\/i><\/b>broadbandnow<\/i><\/b><\/a>)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Besides DSL, CenturyLink has a pretty large fiber network (the 4<\/span>th<\/span> largest by coverage area). Their fiber internet services are available to almost 25 million users. Fiber plans are mostly available in major cities, while DSL is available in rural and remote areas. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"CenturyLink<\/p>\n

CenturyLink Fiber Internet coverage map (<\/i><\/b>broadbandnow<\/i><\/b><\/a>)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Internet plans and prices<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

CenturyLink offers a variety of internet plans. All the plans are divided into two price categories. The price for all the plans up to 100 Mbps<\/a> is $50\/month (plus modem rental fee and taxes). The price for Fiber Gigabit service (940 Mbps download and 940 Mbps upload) is $65\/month. <\/span><\/p>\n

In many rural and remote areas, you will get very modest speeds (for example \u2013 3-10 Mbps<\/a> download and less than 1 Mbps upload), and you will have to pay the same price as someone that gets 100 Mbps. It doesn\u2019t seem very fair, but that\u2019s the way it is. Most people in these areas don\u2019t really have other options and CenturyLink (just like other providers) takes advantage of that situation. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

In some areas, the internet speeds are not very impressive<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Another thing we find awkward is that if you live in an area that has a fiber network, you can only choose between two plans \u2013 100 Mbps ($50\/month) or Gig Service ($65\/month). Naturally, in this case, Gig Service is the only logical choice. The price difference between the two available plans is just $15, while the speed difference is huge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Every plan up to 100 Mbps is priced at $50\/month (it doesn\u2019t matter if it\u2019s DSL, Fiber, or something else), and Fiber Gigabit is priced at $65\/month<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

To get a plan suggestion, you can visit <\/span>CenturyLink\u2019s internet availability<\/span><\/a> page, enter your zip code or address and see available plans for your area. <\/span><\/p>\n

Even though the speeds may not be impressive in some areas, the good thing about CenturyLink is its consistent pricing. Unlike some cable internet providers, CenturyLink doesn\u2019t change prices after the promotional period expires.<\/span><\/p>\n

The last thing we have to notice is that CenturyLink\u2019s price for Fiber Gigabit Service is very competitive \u2013 it\u2019s actually significantly cheaper than plans offered by other providers. The average price for Gig Service with other fiber internet providers is $75-$80\/month.<\/span><\/p>\n

Contract length<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

CenturyLink doesn\u2019t require you to sign a long-term contract<\/b> \u2013 you can pay for your plan on a month-to-month basis. Naturally, you may get some additional discounts when subscribing to bundles if you sign the contract, but you will also have to pay the early termination fees if you decide to terminate the contract before it expires. <\/span><\/p>\n

Data caps<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

CenturyLink experimented with data caps some 5 years ago. They even introduced the so-called Excessive Use Policy back in 2016. This policy imposed some pretty strict limits. Some DSL users had very low limits (up to 250 GB). After some time, the limit for most plans was set at 1 TB. Business users and residential Fiber users never had data caps.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the moment, all CenturyLink plans are unlimited<\/i><\/b> \u2013 they don\u2019t come with any kind of data cap. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

All CenturyLink plans come without data caps and overage fees<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Modem rental<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

Every CenturyLink Internet plan<\/a> comes with a matching modem. You have three options when it comes to the modem:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Rent the modem from CenturyLink ($15 monthly rental fee)<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Buy the modem from CenturyLink ($200 one-time payment)<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Buy a third-party modem<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Renting seems to be the most expensive option. The monthly fee is $15, which means that you will have to spend $180 every year. That\u2019s simply too much, especially when you can buy it for $200 from your provider. <\/span><\/p>\n

    According to CenturyLink\u2019s website, their Gigabit Service comes with a free modem, but the installation fee is $299. If you know that the average installation fee is approx. $100, you\u2019ll understand that the modem price is already included in the installation fee.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Fiber Gigabit comes with a \u2018\u2019free\u2019\u2019 modem, but the installation fee is $299<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

    Are You Allowed to Use Your Own CenturyLink Compatible Modem?<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Your third option is buying a modem on your own. That option is definitely more complicated than buying it from CenturyLink, and we don\u2019t really recommend this if you don\u2019t have at least some basic understanding of networking equipment. When you buy it from your ISP, you don\u2019t have to look for something compatible at all \u2013 they will offer you the modem\/gateway that\u2019s perfectly compatible with your plan.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Still, we have to praise CenturyLink for allowing you to use any modem you find appropriate. It just has to be the modem compatible with the service you are subscribed to. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Allowing you to use any modem you like shouldn’t be a big deal. After all, according to Television Viewer Protection Act, ISPs are not allowed to force you to use\/rent their equipment, but that doesn’t stop some ISPs from doing so. CenturyLink is not that kind of ISP. They even published a detailed list of approved modems. Most of the modems on that list are the exact same modems that CenturyLink sells\/leases to its customers (or the modems they used in the past). <\/span><\/p>\n

    The modems\/gateways that are currently in use are <\/span>Zyxel C3000Z<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Zyxel C4000LZ<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Greenwave modems<\/span><\/a> (C4000BG, C4000LG, C4000XG),<\/span> and<\/span> Actiontec C3000A<\/span><\/a>. Some of these modems are only compatible with DSL services (ADSL, ADSL 2+, VDSL), some are compatible with fiber, and some are compatible with both (Actiontec C3000A, Zyxel C3000Z). <\/span><\/p>\n

    CenturyLink also publishes the list of approved modems that they don\u2019t use. Some of the modems\/gateways you can try are <\/span>Adtran C424G<\/span><\/a> (Fiber), <\/span>Calix C844G<\/span><\/a> (Fiber), <\/span>Cisco DDR-2200<\/span><\/a> (ADSL 2+ bonded pair up to 25 Mbps<\/a> or Fiber up to 100 Mbps), <\/span>Technicolor C2000T<\/span><\/a> (ADSL up to 20 Mbps, ADSL 2+ with bonded pair up to 40 Mbps<\/a>, VDSL2 with pair bond up to 100 Mbps, and Fiber up to 940 Mbps), <\/span>Technicolor C2100T<\/span><\/a> (same as C2000T), <\/span>Westell 7500<\/span><\/a> (ADSL and ADSL 2+ single-line \u2013 up to 20 Mbps), etc. To see the entire list, visit the official <\/span>CenturyLink help page<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Note:<\/strong> This list doesn\u2019t incorporate all the CenturyLink compatible modems\/gateways, but only those that have been tested and approved by CenturyLink.  <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    Renting VS Buying CenturyLink Compatible Modem?<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Once you understand the advantages and disadvantages of renting and using your own modem, it becomes pretty clear what the best option is. So, let\u2019s start with the advantages of renting.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you decide to rent, you will get unlimited tech support (we all know that it\u2019s not really that unlimited). So, if something bad happens, if you lose internet connection<\/a>, if you have problems with your wi-fi coverage, or if the modem\/gateway simply breaks, you\u2019ll get all the help you need. <\/span><\/p>\n

    If you decide to rent, you will also get the so-called Secure wi-fi service, which includes privacy protection, cybersecurity, parental control, etc. You will also be able to use the My CenturyLink app to control and monitor your network. <\/span><\/p>\n

    If you buy a third-party (non-approved) modem, you will get only limited tech support (we haven\u2019t been able to find out what limited support actually means). What we know for sure is that you have to install that modem on your own \u2013 CenturyLink technicians won\u2019t install it. If professional installation is required, CenturyLink technicians will use CenturyLink equipment (including CenturyLink modem). After they install everything, you can try connecting a third-party modem on your own and, if it works, you can return the CenturyLink modem. Once you return the modem, you won\u2019t be charged rental fees.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Another great thing that you can get if you decide to use a third-party CenturyLink compatible modem is much better performance. Internet providers rarely use the best available equipment. The equipment they use is perfectly compatible with the services they provide, but it’s not like you can’t get better coverage or a more stable (and more secure) wi-fi connection with some other modem\/gateway. That’s one more reason to use a third-party modem\/gateway. To some people, this is even more important than money-saving. <\/span><\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re not a techy person and don\u2019t want to lose tech support, but still want to save money, there\u2019s a win-win solution \u2013 buy the modem\/gateway directly from CenturyLink. It will cost you $200, and it\u2019ll pay off in 15 months.  <\/span><\/p>\n

    So, to conclude, our advice is to buy the modem. It doesn\u2019t matter if you buy a third-party modem or if you buy it directly from CenturyLink \u2013 you will save a lot of money in both cases. The worst option is renting. This advice applies to every ISP.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

    How to install a Third-Party CenturyLink Compatible Modem<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Installing a third-party DSL modem<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n

    If you already have active internet service by CenturyLink, but you don\u2019t know what kind of DSL connection you have (ADSL, ADSL 2+, VDSL, etc.), you should contact CenturyLink support and get all the information about the type of DSL service that you are using. This is important because not all DSL modems support all DSL types. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Once you buy the right modem, you have to <\/span>contact tech support<\/span><\/a> and ask for some info related to your DSL connection. You need to ask for:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Virtual Path Identifier (VPI)<\/b><\/p>\n

    Virtual Connection Identifier (VCI)<\/b><\/p>\n

    PPPoE credentials<\/b> (username and password)<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you already have a CenturyLink modem, you can access your modem\u2019s settings and find this info without calling tech support (find VPI, VCI, and PPPoE credentials).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Once you get this info, you can connect your new modem to your PC and access the settings by entering the default gateway in your browser. If you don’t know what the default gateway is, open the cmd prompt on your PC, type in ipconfig, and search for the line named default gateway. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Once you open your modem’s settings, go to the Advanced Setup tab, and then to WAN IP settings. Select PPPoE as ISP protocol, and then enter PPPoE credentials (username and password). Hit Save\/Apply.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The other thing you have to change are VPI and VCI values. Within the same Advanced Setup tab, go to DSL settings and enter the right values for VPI and VCI. Based on some info we found online, the VPI and VCI values for CenturyLink are either 0\/32 or 0\/35 (depending on the region). Save settings and exit. After you change these settings, you should be able to surf the internet. <\/span><\/p>\n

    If it doesn\u2019t work, go back to DSL settings in your modem\u2019s settings, and try different line modes.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Video Tutorial – Installing a third-party CenturyLink compatible DSL Modem<\/b><\/p>\n