View Full Version : Comcast vs CenturyLink
So we're moving next month and thinking of ditching Comcast for Centurylink fiber service. We don't need phone service or any kind of fancy bundle, although I see they have an option to bundle with DirecTV which I might be interested in. Right now I have 20Mpbs service with Comcast and it's OK, but thinking about the 40Mbps option with CenturyLink which would be $70/month by itself after any initial offers expire. I just don't know what CenturyLink's reputation is with regard to customer service and service reliability. Would appreciate any input from folks that have or have had their service, especially if you can compare it to Comcast. Thanks.
ChuckNorris
03-29-2013, 08:29
Had Centurylink, now have Comcast.
Comcast is way better in my opinion!
Our internet service is a lot faster.
jhirsh5280
03-29-2013, 08:29
I've aways hated Comcast, when they went anti gun it just solidified my views
ruthabagah
03-29-2013, 08:33
I am not a big fan of comcast as a company and their customer service suck.... But, unfortunately, their internet service is the only one that's reliable and offer constant download/upload speed in denver metro.
blacklabel
03-29-2013, 08:39
We've got Comcast Internet service only and I wish we could find something else that performs as well. Their customer service blows.
Switched from Comcast to CenturyLink about a year ago. No regrets. Comcast is faster... no denying it... but CenturyLink has been adequately fast for us: we can be streaming an NHL game in HD quality, doing a FaceTime video chat and surf all at the same time with no noticeable degradation in quality or speed. For us... that is fast enough. I can't recall but one outage the entire time and it was quickly rectified. Comcast lost us completely as a customer last year... after having been a customer for 9 years. This whole anti-gun policy of theirs has just solidified even more that it was a good choice to leave them.
spongejosh
03-29-2013, 08:53
Quality of service will depend mostly on the neighborhood and each company's infrastructure there. I have Comcast and I don't have any complaints other than the cost and their politics. The few times I had an issue in the last 8 years they took care of it in a day or 2, including running a new line through my yard from my house to their box. There are some neighborhoods with old wiring that have crappy cable/good phone lines or the opposite or both good or both bad. I deal with Century Link all the time at work (we manage business and home DSL) and it's enough to make me never want to switch. Your in house wiring can also have a big effect on the performance of either.
bowhunter
03-29-2013, 09:02
Why not get the 100 meg with comcast? Or even faster. I dont remember exactly but I think for residential its going to 12/35/100/200 meg now? For business its "holy shit what just happened". Century link cannot and will not compare, its just not gonna happen.
junglerot
03-29-2013, 09:05
We've got CenturyLink, DSL only. The node is in my yard, so I get the maximum real life throughput for my plan. No complaints in the past 3 years, once I got the person on the phone to just shut up and give me my PPPoE account info [Flower]
Bailey Guns
03-29-2013, 09:07
I've had CenturyLink/Qwest DSL for several years now in Bailey. The reliability has been almost perfect. Never really needed service so I guess that speaks well for them. I've never had Comcast service but I can say for the short time I worked for Dish most new installs I did were to replace Comcast service. Of course, there were probably lots of Comcast techs out there replacing Dish service, too.
I went online to terminate my landline service on Monday. Getting rid of the phone would've raised my DSL price to the same as what I was currently paying for phone/DSL. So I was able to downgrade phone service and upgrade to 12Mbps for $10 less per month overall and lock in the price for 5 years.
There's probably good and bad with all of them. Just depends on what service you want and how much you wanna spend.
Zundfolge
03-29-2013, 09:42
Support Comcast and you're supporting the anti gun movement and leftist politics in general with your dollars.
Comcast may be faster than CenturyLink on paper, but honestly the 12 m-bit DSL line I have at home and the 40 m-bit DSL line at work are both fast enough that I really don't think I'd need more speed.
At home I'm able to stream Netflix (or other streaming video) simultaneously to two Roku boxes while all while downloading or seeding a few torrents without any buffering on the streaming boxes.
Also note that if you plan on torrenting anything (even legitimate, non copyrighted content) you can get throttled by Comcast and probably get one of their nasty letters about the evils of piracy (6 strikes and they cut you off). CenturyLink doesn't monitor your traffic like that. And lets be honest, the only time that you're really going to notice the super speed of Comcast is if you transfer extremely large files ... like pirated movies (seriously, how many times a year are you going to download an entire Linux ISO or some other legitimate multi-GB files?) which they won't put up with.
bowhunter
03-29-2013, 10:13
When is the last time any network other then outdoor channels ran a gun commercial?
DeusExMachina
03-29-2013, 10:26
Comcast doubled their speeds literally last night. There will be a speed increase sometime in the near future, again.
So we're moving next month and thinking of ditching Comcast for Centurylink fiber service. We don't need phone service or any kind of fancy bundle, although I see they have an option to bundle with DirecTV which I might be interested in. Right now I have 20Mpbs service with Comcast and it's OK, but thinking about the 40Mbps option with CenturyLink which would be $70/month by itself after any initial offers expire. I just don't know what CenturyLink's reputation is with regard to customer service and service reliability. Would appreciate any input from folks that have or have had their service, especially if you can compare it to Comcast. Thanks.
You have a faster speed as of yesterday. If you were subscribing to Blast (25), you should get 50 now if you have a docsis 3 modem. Last I checked, Blast (now 50mb) is $72.95 standalone without promos.
We've got Comcast Internet service only and I wish we could find something else that performs as well. Their customer service blows.
Next time you call, ask for an American. You may get a good guy in Denver.
Why not get the 100 meg with comcast? Or even faster. I dont remember exactly but I think for residential its going to 12/35/100/200 meg now? For business its "holy shit what just happened". Century link cannot and will not compare, its just not gonna happen.
In this area, Comcast is running 25, 50, 105 along with some lower stuff like 12mb I believe for the freebie stuff if you have a kid on reduced/free lunches at school.
Comcast doubled their speeds literally last night. There will be a speed increase sometime in the near future, again.
Next increase is supposed to be Q3 or Q4, but it wont be as much as the one we just saw.
Yesterday, I tested out at 57up, 10down.
bowhunter
03-29-2013, 10:40
I thought the blast went to 35, and the old 50 to a hundred. Did the old 105 not change? With all the metro e stuff i have heard some rumors from construction about residential fiber, any knowledge?
DeusExMachina
03-29-2013, 10:54
You have a faster speed as of yesterday. If you were subscribing to Blast (25), you should get 50 now if you have a docsis 3 modem. Last I checked, Blast (now 50mb) is $72.95 standalone without promos.
Next time you call, ask for an American. You may get a good guy in Denver.
In this area, Comcast is running 25, 50, 105 along with some lower stuff like 12mb I believe for the freebie stuff if you have a kid on reduced/free lunches at school.
Next increase is supposed to be Q3 or Q4, but it wont be as much as the one we just saw.
Yesterday, I tested out at 57up, 10down.
Since I can infer where you work...I bought a DOCSIS 3.0 and it's coming today. How do I replace the modem? Do I call?
Also, I love how I'm paying $70/month for Performance. I really wish when they lowered prices they'd lower you automatically or bump you to the next tier. I'm going to jump up to Blast tonight.
You have to call and add the mac to you account. When you call in, if you have the performance internet, there's a 3mo Blast free upgrade you can get. I could be wrong on the price, but $72 rings a bell, might be $78. Are you in a bundle?
I thought the blast went to 35, and the old 50 to a hundred. Did the old 105 not change? With all the metro e stuff i have heard some rumors from construction about residential fiber, any knowledge?
The 105 price went down to where the 50 was. Dont have any info on construction.
DeusExMachina
03-29-2013, 11:04
You have to call and add the mac to you account. When you call in, if you have the performance internet, there's a 3mo Blast free upgrade you can get. I could be wrong on the price, but $72 rings a bell, might be $78. Are you in a bundle?
No, just Internet. I'm paying $72.48 after modem rental and taxes/fees. I'll ask about upgrading to Blast tonight. Thanks.
No, just Internet. I'm paying $72.48 after modem rental and taxes/fees. I'll ask about upgrading to Blast tonight. Thanks.
Make sure they pull that modem charge when you turn it in. Its easy to overlook that one.
And PM sent.
jackthewall81
03-29-2013, 12:17
Comcast is anti-gun, so there is your answer.
buckeye4rnr
03-29-2013, 12:40
Had Comcast and now have CenturyLink for internet... way better. I have their fastest service for $56/mo for 1 year, might seem bad but I watch all of my tv online and I had nothing but issues with Comcast.
If you go satellite make sure clear few to southern sky without being in center of roof.[Bang]
akumadiavolo
03-29-2013, 13:35
I dropped Comcast a few years ago when their service went downhill. Also with comcast their advertised speed is bullshit. They use "Powerboost" which ups the speed for the first 10 megs of a transfer, then it drops dramatically. So if you play games or stream shows and such Comcast sucks. After that first 10 megs the speed will be half of the advertised speed. My 20Mb connection from Centurylink is far better than my 30Mb from Comcast.
Why not get the 100 meg with comcast? Or even faster. I dont remember exactly but I think for residential its going to 12/35/100/200 meg now? For business its "holy shit what just happened". Century link cannot and will not compare, its just not gonna happen.
Trying to strike a balance between performance vs cost, so 100Mbps doesn't have a good cost/benefit ratio for my needs. As it is, I think we're all being grossly overcharged for what we get in return from these service providers already ;)
You have a faster speed as of yesterday. If you were subscribing to Blast (25), you should get 50 now if you have a docsis 3 modem. Last I checked, Blast (now 50mb) is $72.95 standalone without promos.
Double checked with Comcast this evening and it looks like we just have the "Performance" service, which the tech said only gets a boost from 15Mpbs to 20Mbps. 4 different speed tests tonight show an average of 21Mbps, which I'm guessing is in the Powerboost phase, but I've been seeing those numbers for at least a year.
If you go satellite make sure clear few to southern sky without being in center of roof.[Bang]
Clear view to the southern sky you mean? What's the issue with the middle of the roof? Never had sat TV before.
I dropped Comcast a few years ago when their service went downhill. Also with comcast their advertised speed is bullshit. They use "Powerboost" which ups the speed for the first 10 megs of a transfer, then it drops dramatically. So if you play games or stream shows and such Comcast sucks. After that first 10 megs the speed will be half of the advertised speed. My 20Mb connection from Centurylink is far better than my 30Mb from Comcast.
Glad to hear of a good experience. I haven't made up my mind yet, but definitely some pluses for CenturyLink. Most of our internet traffic will be with Netflix and Amazon streaming and I can take or leave the more traditional TV options. I need to start READING all the books I have piling up anyway.
Appreciate all the feedback!
Since I can infer where you work...I bought a DOCSIS 3.0 and it's coming today. How do I replace the modem? Do I call?
Also, I love how I'm paying $70/month for Performance. I really wish when they lowered prices they'd lower you automatically or bump you to the next tier. I'm going to jump up to Blast tonight.
Make sure they have your new modem documented correctly. I have a DOCSIS 3.0 modem, but it was showing up as a 2.0 in their system until the tech corrected it tonight. And is internet service all you're paying for? I have Performance as well, but paying about $15 less. Only have basic cable on top of that.
Byte Stryke
03-29-2013, 19:43
Support Comcast and you're supporting the anti gun movement and leftist politics in general with your dollars.
Comcast may be faster than CenturyLink on paper, but honestly the 12 m-bit DSL line I have at home and the 40 m-bit DSL line at work are both fast enough that I really don't think I'd need more speed.
At home I'm able to stream Netflix (or other streaming video) simultaneously to two Roku boxes while all while downloading or seeding a few torrents without any buffering on the streaming boxes.
Also note that if you plan on torrenting anything (even legitimate, non copyrighted content) you can get throttled by Comcast and probably get one of their nasty letters about the evils of piracy (6 strikes and they cut you off). CenturyLink doesn't monitor your traffic like that. And lets be honest, the only time that you're really going to notice the super speed of Comcast is if you transfer extremely large files ... like pirated movies (seriously, how many times a year are you going to download an entire Linux ISO or some other legitimate multi-GB files?) which they won't put up with.
all media outlets are antigun... some are just louder than others
if you believe anything else you are lying to yourself
DSL great technology in the 90s... while now on fiber, is still only as fast as the weakest link
I pull at least a GAiA or backtrack image a week
I am on a 200 meg charter line
Since I'm in the process of changing cable over to Dish or DTV I've been on the phone with Comcast a few times this week. Blaster at 50/10 should be $75 + modem (if you don't buy your own) with no discounts.
MileHighOutlaw
03-29-2013, 20:10
As technician for Comcast now and a Former Qwest Technician I could be biased because of my current employer but I won't. Its true we are rolling out our speed increases area by area and from what I hear folks are digging it. Honestly I dropped my courtesy services in order to get some major projects done around the house. The only thing I kept was the internet and I throttled it down to 6mb thinking I don't need anymore at this time. I can honestly say that is enough to stream Netflix, Hulu and still be on the internet on several devices without lagging. If you want me to take a look at your house to see if you need anything prior to a install just let me know.
stevelkinevil
03-29-2013, 20:16
Just an FYI in-case it hasn't been mentioned. I work for a Gun store/range and Comcast announced a while ago it would no longer sell advertising or services to any business related to firearms. We now use other services. Comcast is not only shitty but can kiss the fattest part of my ass.
Tinelement
03-29-2013, 20:20
Seriously just got off the phone with Century Link,....
For a fucking hour..... I fucking canceled my service. Fucking shit.
Sorry, didn't read the thread, just saw the title. I'm out.
Clear view to the southern sky you mean? What's the issue with the middle of the roof? Never had sat TV before.
Snow will sit on dish and block out reception. I'm gettin to old and don't have the snowball aim I once had.
Comcast sent me an email saying they increased my speed ~30%.
Before I reset my modem:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609688672.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
After I reset:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609822052.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
Gee, thanks, Comcast!
clublights
03-29-2013, 21:05
Clear view to the southern sky you mean? What's the issue with the middle of the roof? Never had sat TV before.
Snow will sit on dish and block out reception. I'm gettin to old and don't have the snowball aim I once had.
I think I heard of "heaters" for the dish to melt the snow and fix the problem ....
Now as for the rest .. I've had DSL since 1999.. pretty happy over all had a few issues here and there with them but most were easy to fix. my 40down 20 up line kicks butt.. full speed all the time .. no power boost crap . also it's my understanding with cable net is you can see speed drops depending on what your neighbors are doing much harsher then DSL
DSL works better for me also in the fact I can get static IP's which I need for my servers. Comcast whats big bucks for static IP's Cent link is only 10 bucks a month for them
clublights
03-29-2013, 21:13
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609832552.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
This is on N Wireless.. I could probably squeeze a meg or two more if I went hardwire
Comcast sent me an email saying they increased my speed ~30%.
Before I reset my modem:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609688672.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
After I reset:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609822052.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
Gee, thanks, Comcast!
I noticed ping times to local servers have gone up in the last week as well. Also, it looks like a strange congestion avoidance algorithm is being use. I used HSTCP, BIC, Westwood all the time but what I'm seeing looks different. I haven't gotten into traces to look at windowing yet but I will soon.
bowhunter
03-29-2013, 21:18
I will have to see if the Blast plus package changed. I have been so busy doing alarms and business I am out of the loop. But blast plus was a great deal. Basically free TV with internet.
bowhunter
03-29-2013, 21:21
Comcast sent me an email saying they increased my speed ~30%.
Before I reset my modem:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609688672.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
After I reset:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609822052.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
Gee, thanks, Comcast!
What modem/router do you have? Any other switches, voip stuff etc
I will have to see if the Blast plus package changed. I have been so busy doing alarms and business I am out of the loop. But blast plus was a great deal. Basically free TV with internet.
$79.95 regular non promo price. Blast internet with economy video and VOD.
bowhunter
03-29-2013, 21:28
$79.95 regular non promo price. Blast internet with economy video and VOD.
You must be that tech that sells stuff all the time while others pick up your work haha! I cant remember that stuff and rarely even sell a DVR. But we only have 3 small bus techs and 2 xfinity home techs on my shift and i am one of each so i stay busy.
You must be that tech that sells stuff all the time while others pick up your work haha! I cant remember that stuff and rarely even sell a DVR. But we only have 3 small bus techs and 2 xfinity home techs on my shift and i am one of each so i stay busy.
I'm just the phone jockey... Its easy to remember it when you can just pull up a random account and build it. :)
I'm one of the phone guys that doesn't sell much, but rather tries to fix the problem
USMC88-93
03-29-2013, 21:33
<--- Comcast Denver metro cable guy.
You probably need to swap your modem for higher speeds. If you have a Docsis 2 compatible modem its highest speeds are 24Mbps. If you get a Docsis 3 compatible modem from them your modem would have the capability of higher speeds. Sounds more like an equipment capability here than anything else. Not to mention that you may have speed limitations through your wireless router or other equipment. (Wireless B,G, and N) have different through-put.
Comcast sent me an email saying they increased my speed ~30%.
Before I reset my modem:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609688672.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
After I reset:
http://www.speedtest.net/result/2609822052.png (http://www.speedtest.net)
Gee, thanks, Comcast!
$79.95 regular non promo price. Blast internet with economy video and VOD.
I spoke with 3 different people yesterday (maybe wed) and I was told that Blast by itself would be $75 + modem if I cancel cable. So you can get cable and VoD for $5? In that case I'd probably keep it.
<--- Comcast Denver metro cable guy.
You probably need to swap your modem for higher speeds. If you have a Docsis 2 compatible modem its highest speeds are 24Mbps. If you get a Docsis 3 compatible modem from them your modem would have the capability of higher speeds. Sounds more like an equipment capability here than anything else.
Or maybe he only has Performance instead of Blast like me.
Seems like we have a lot of Comcast employees onboard here!
I spoke with 3 different people yesterday (maybe wed) and I was told that Blast by itself would be $75 + modem if I cancel cable. So you can get cable and VoD for $5? In that case I'd probably keep it.
Your bundle is probably too big to to see blast plus.
Your bundle is probably too big to to see blast plus.
I'm currently paying $250 per month and I asked what the cost would be to keep just internet with no special offer.
I'm currently paying $250 per month and I asked what the cost would be to keep just internet with no special offer.
Sent PM
The biggest issue with Century Link is that they oversold the heck out of their bandwidth around here. We were getting, consistently, for months, speeds between 1-10kbps on a 1.5mbps connection. Finally got so fed up with it we switched to Comcast. 20mbps feels blisteringly fast, and since we already had cable through them it turned out to be cheaper. YMMV, in Greeley I had nothing but problems with Comcast and great service from Qwest.
buckeye4rnr
03-29-2013, 22:52
Glad to hear of a good experience. I haven't made up my mind yet, but definitely some pluses for CenturyLink. Most of our internet traffic will be with Netflix and Amazon streaming and I can take or leave the more traditional TV options. I need to start READING all the books I have piling up anyway.
Appreciate all the feedback!
That is exactly what I use mine for and in the DTC CenturyLink does it far better than Comcast. I have their fiber optic lines at my apartment and even if it weren't good service, I wouldn't go back to Comcast just because of all the issues I had with them in my three months of service.
CenturyLink ftw
Yesterday, I tested out at 57up, 10down.
Strike that and reverse it. 50 down is the new benchmark. Funny, because few people need anywhere near that speed.
Leonxz326
03-30-2013, 15:58
Comcast just double there speed for free for comcast customers so if u had the 16mgb you now have 25 and if you had they 25 you now have 50
Had comcast before it became too expensive. Allways loved the service, but the last price increase was about $50 and cancelled the service. We then signed up for the century link internet/phone/Direct tv for cheap. Service was reliable, but never exceptional. When the contract was over we switched back to Comcast. Will probably switch every few years depending upon price.
I think I got scamed by comcast. My internet was working great, then I "lost" the internet. I call comcast and they did there online checking and said I had a bad modem and they could lease me one. I said no thanks I'll go buy one. I got a DOCSIS 3 modem called them up, gave them the MAC and the I still couldn't get the internet. They said if I had the monthly service plan the tech visit would be free. So, I signed up for the service the tech came out said the signal was good to the house and he had to come into the house. He came into the house where the service comes into the basement. He said the signal was good to the basement. Then we went to the computer room, said the signal was good to the room, he then called in and did some talking to main office gave the new MAC and it still would work and they said my modem must not be compatable. I then said to hook up the old modem, he called and gave the main office the old MAC and wouldn't you know it I had service with the old modem. This was about 8 months ago. Then 2 weeks ago I lost my service again and the telephone help said I would have to have a tech come out and look at it, the telephone tech said it was my modem. I said "sure send out the tech, I have the service plan" the phone tech was supprised and said "oh so you do (words to that affect)" This was a Sunday and the tech was supposed to come out on Wednesday. But wouldn't you know it my service came back on Sunday night and has been working ever since. I am giving serious thought to giving up Comcast and going with someone else.
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