How To Get Low-Income Internet through CenturyLink
CenturyLink isn't offering special deals for low-income folks after the ACP ends
Nov 15, 2024 | Share 
Brand Guides, How-To, Low-Income
CenturyLink offers $50–$55 monthly plans for both fiber and DSL customers but is not offering special low-income options for former subscribers of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
“Lumen strongly supports bipartisan legislation that will fully fund ACP as part of our digital inclusion mission,” a spokesperson from parent company Lumen tells us. “Our valued ACP customers will continue to receive service, and we’re working to keep them connected at an affordable rate. We also encourage our customers to apply for the Lifeline broadband discount if they aren’t currently receiving it.”
We’ll go over the cheapest plans available from CenturyLink and give you details about what will happen if you were an ACP beneficiary. Then, we’ll list ACP alternatives and CenturyLink competitors who may offer cheaper monthly plans.
Is CenturyLink available where you live?
If you’re with another provider and shopping for a cheaper alternative, enter your zip code below to see if CenturyLink’s low-cost internet is available to you.
Affordable plans from CenturyLink
Our annual survey of internet plans revealed that $50 per month is a good price for broadband speeds, which the FCC defines as download speeds of 100Mbps. Some plans available from CenturyLink are spot on, and others miss the mark—but just barely.
Here’s a list of the cheapest CenturyLink plans available. Start shopping to see what you can get at your exact address.
| Package | Price | Speed | Type | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simply Unlimited Internet up to 140 Mbps | $55.00/mo.† | Up to 140Mbps | DSL | |
| Simply Unlimited Fiber Internet up to 500 Mbps | $50.00/mo.* | Up to 500Mbps | Fiber |
Data as of 11/15/2024. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
See disclaimers.
For context, DSL speeds of 40–80Mbps are fast enough for email and browsing but too slow for most modern applications. Speeds of 100–140Mbps can support a few devices streaming or gaming in HD, and they’re a good choice for small households.
CenturyLink fiber internet with speeds up to 500Mbps is fast enough for even the busiest and most high-tech homes, but it’s not available everywhere.
Looking for internet providers near you?
Enter your zip code below to start comparing options where you live.
What happens when the ACP ends?
The ACP ran out of funding in April. Participating providers received partial payments between $7 and $16 for each qualifying customer (rather than the typical $30 payment). That translated to partial credits on customer bills. But what happens after that?
“Lumen values its ACP customers and has taken numerous steps—going well beyond the FCC’s regulatory requirements—to ensure that its customers are well-informed about the unfortunate end of the ACP and how the ACP wind-down will impact their bills, or, in limited circumstances, their service, going forward,” Lumen reps say in an email to HighSpeedInternet.com.
Starting in June, the FCC will stop sending ACP subsidies unless the U.S. Congress finds another way to fund the program. According to the statement we received, CenturyLink ACP customers can choose to either keep their existing plans or sign up for a new one. If ACP customers don’t respond to multiple notifications about the end of the ACP, their service may be shut off.
Alternatives to the ACP
If you are facing financial hardship and need internet access, look into the Lifeline program. It offers a subsidy of $9.25 for either internet or phone service, and it’s managed by the same agency that managed the ACP.
Start your application with that agency, and be ready to prove eligibility for at least one of the following:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefits
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
- Medicaid
- Tribal Programs for Native Americans
If you qualify for the subsidy, you’ll get to choose from a list of eligible providers. If you’ve been pleased with CenturyLink, look for its name on the list of results and follow instructions to sign up.
Other providers with low-income programs
CenturyLink has a massive DSL network, and it’s started offering fiber internet in some areas. That means it has many competitors, but your options for internet service depend on where you live.
The $50–$55 price for some of CenturyLink’s plans is reasonable, but there’s a good chance you can get faster speeds or cheaper prices elsewhere. The following is a list of CenturyLink competitors who may meet that criteria:
Do you know which internet providers offer service in your area?
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Additional resources
Fast internet is key to everyday life, and we think you deserve the best possible prices where you live. Browse the following articles from our expert library, whether you’re just starting to explore options or hoping to switch internet providers.
- Government Programs To Make Internet Service More Affordable
- How To Get Free and Low-Cost Internet
- Best Internet Deals
- Best Internet Plans and Discounts for Seniors
- Best Internet Plans and Discounts for Students
- Best Internet for Veterans and Military Families
- Rural Internet Providers
- The End of the ACP
Disclaimers
* Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply.
†Paperless billing or prepay required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Get the fastest internet speed available at your location (max speed is up to 140 Mbps).
Author - Chili Palmer
Chili Palmer covers breaking news, satellite internet, mobile connectivity, and streaming services for HighSpeedInternet.com. Previously writing under the name Rebecca Palmer, Chili is passionate about providing accurate and accessible information any time you're trying to connect … whether you already speak geek or just got your first smartphone.
Editor - Jessica Brooksby
Jessica loves bringing her passion for the written word and her love of tech into one space at HighSpeedInternet.com. She works with the team’s writers to revise strong, user-focused content so every reader can find the tech that works for them. Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in English from Utah Valley University and seven years of creative and editorial experience. Outside of work, she spends her time gaming, reading, painting, and buying an excessive amount of Legend of Zelda merchandise.
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