Internet Service Providers
Top Companies in 2026
Astound Broadband vs CenturyLink Internet
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- Fiber-powered network
- No contracts required
- Multi-year price lock protection
- Month-to-month flexibility with unlimited data
- Simple, predictable pricing structure
- Service options for both fiber and non-fiber locations
- Poor customer service and lack of follow-through
- Difficulty canceling and no prorated refunds
- Limited or outdated app functionality
- Poor customer service responsiveness
- Billing and refund issues that frustrate customers
Astound Broadband was founded in 1993 and is based in Princeton, New Jersey. They operate across several states and provide internet, TV, phone, and mobile services built on a fiber-powered network that supports speeds up to 5 Gbps in select areas. Their plans stand out for offering no data caps, no annual contracts, and included equipment, along with support for newer Wi-Fi technology and both self-installation and professional installation options. Customers can also bundle internet with mobile or TV, often receiving added perks like discounted installation, gift cards, or multi-year price locks, depending on the plan and whether their address qualifies as an eligible home. Customer feedback is mixed. Some users highlight smooth installations, fast speeds during the early months, and affordable promotional pricing, while others report billing issues, rising rates after promotions end, and difficulty reaching support. Astound’s pricing varies by location and speed tier, with standalone plans starting at $30 per month and bundle options offering additional savings for households that want multiple services on one bill. Their range of plans, flexible terms, and high-speed options make them appealing to customers who want strong performance without long commitments.
CenturyLink, founded in 1930 and historically based in Monroe, Louisiana, is one of the long-standing internet providers in the United States and now operates under its parent company, Lumen Technologies. They deliver both DSL and fiber internet service, allowing them to reach a wide range of communities, including urban, suburban, and many rural areas. In locations where fiber is available, customers can experience symmetrical speeds up to around 940 Mbps, along with unlimited data, included WiFi equipment, and contract-free plans. In non-fiber areas, Simply Unlimited Internet plans can reach up to about 100 Mbps and also include unlimited data on a month-to-month basis. CenturyLink’s pricing is generally positioned as straightforward, with many plans avoiding aggressive promotional rates that later increase sharply. DSL plans typically cost around $55 per month, while fiber plans often average about $75 per month in eligible ZIP codes, sometimes with equipment or installation benefits included. Customer experience is where feedback becomes much more mixed. Many customers report ongoing concerns with billing accuracy, delayed refunds, long wait times for support, technician no-shows, and difficulty resolving issues. Because of this, the overall experience often depends heavily on whether fiber is available in your area and how consistent local service performance is.
- Customer Service : Poor
- Mobile Service : True
- Online Billing : True
- Served Areas : California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington
- Customer Service : Poor
- Mobile Service : False
- Online Billing : True
- Served Areas : More than 30 states
- Big savings with bundles
- Unlimited mobile free for 1 year
- Reliability backed by a large national network
- Included fiber equipment and installation perks
- Desktop Application
- FAQs
- Help Center
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Ticket—Undisclosed
- Desktop Application—Undisclosed
- —Undisclosed
- FAQs
- Help Center
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Ticket
- Business Internet
- Fibre Internet
- Rural Internet
- Satellite Internet
- Wireless Home Internet
- Business Internet
- Fibre Internet
- Rural Internet
- Satellite Internet
- Wireless Home Internet—Undisclosed
- 4G
- 5G
- 4G
- 5G
- Android
- iOS
- Android
- iOS
CenturyLink vs. Astound Broadband
CenturyLink and Astound Broadband are often compared because they appeal to similar users who want fast internet, simple plan options, and flexibility without long-term contracts. Both providers focus heavily on value, but they take different approaches, especially when it comes to technology, pricing stability, and availability. This comparison helps you decide which one fits your home, work, or streaming needs best, so you can feel more confident choosing your next provider.
Speeds and availability
CenturyLink serves millions of homes across more than 30 states, offering both fiber and DSL depending on location. Their Simply Unlimited Internet plan typically delivers speeds up to around 100 Mbps in non-fiber areas, while CenturyLink Fiber can reach up to about 940 Mbps. Their biggest strength is reach and consistency: unlimited data, no annual contracts, and predictable plans that do not depend on frequent promotions or regional pricing gimmicks.
Astound Broadband focuses primarily on cable internet across select markets in 11 states and Washington, D.C., with fiber available in limited areas. Their cable speeds commonly range from 300 Mbps to 1,500 Mbps, with some locations offering 2 Gbps and even 5 Gbps on fiber. Like CenturyLink, Astound offers unlimited data and no contracts, but availability is much more regional, with strong coverage in places like Texas, California, Illinois, Oregon, and the East Coast urban markets.
Reliability and performance
CenturyLink’s fiber network is known for stable connections, symmetrical speeds, and 99.9% promoted reliability under Lumen Technologies’ national backbone. DSL service, though still widely used, varies more by location and infrastructure quality. Performance is generally strong for remote work, gaming, streaming, and multi-device homes.
Astound’s performance reflects its cable backbone in most areas, meaning very strong download speeds, slower uploads compared with fiber, and occasional performance dips during peak hours in some markets. Astound’s fiber areas offer noticeably faster and more reliable performance, especially in select cities where multi-gig speeds are available.
Pricing and value
CenturyLink’s biggest advantage is pricing predictability. Their plans generally avoid short-term teaser rates that later spike, so customers usually pay the same rate month to month. Most plans include unlimited data, many fiber markets include Wi-Fi equipment, and select areas even get free installation. Their DSL plan usually sits around $55 per month, and fiber plans often average about $75 per month, which helps people budget confidently without worrying about surprise increases.
Astound is often one of the most aggressively priced cable providers at sign-up, with promo rates commonly starting around $30 to $70 per month, depending on the speed tier, and they frequently offer incentives like 1 to 3 free months of service or $100–$200 gift cards. Prices almost always increase after one to two years, typically by around $8 to $20 per month, though some plans can see steeper jumps.
Conclusion
CenturyLink is best if you want stable, straightforward pricing, unlimited data, and strong fiber performance where available, especially if you prefer avoiding surprise price hikes. They also work well for users who appreciate simple options and wide availability. Astound Broadband is a good fit if you want fast speeds at very competitive introductory rates, live in one of their service regions, and do not mind keeping an eye on price increases after the promo period. If both are available in your area, think about whether you want long-term price stability or short-term savings with higher potential speeds, then choose the provider that matches how you use the internet most.