CenturyLink Internet for Seniors

While internet use may be typically associated with the younger generations, the stats suggest otherwise, as 70 percent of seniors frequently use the internet. As a communication tool, the internet allows seniors to stay in contact with friends and family. Plus, it's especially crucial for those who use devices that have fall detection and other senior-friendly features that require an internet connection to function properly.

Behind every user experience online is the internet provider that makes the connection happen in the first place. Below, we'll be taking a closer look at CenturyLink, who offers several residential DSL and fiber internet packages — starting at $49 per month with speeds up to 940 Mbps in select areas.

Unlike Verizon and T-Mobile, CenturyLink does not offer any senior-specific plans but that doesn't mean you should count them out just yet. This provider is currently available in 36 states, making them a solid option for users across the country. While CenturyLink's starting prices are a bit higher than competitors like Xfinity and AT&T, you're able to lock in your prices for life with their DSL plans, which is pretty rare for an internet provider. Let's find out how CenturyLink stacks up to the competition and which of their offerings are best for seniors below!

Is CenturyLink Internet Right for Seniors?

As mentioned earlier, while CenturyLink doesn't offer an internet plan designed solely for seniors, they do offer a plan for low-income users that many seniors may qualify for. Approximately 11.6 percent of those aged 80 and above live in poverty,1 which is why an internet plan specifically aimed for lower-income households—something many seniors will qualify for—is a huge benefit.

Seniors who are not on a lower income budget may be interested in one of CenturyLink's many internet plans, with speeds ranging up to 940 Mbps. The company is particularly renowned for its fast internet, which is ideal for customers of all ages.

CenturyLink Internet Plans, Pricing, and Features

Let's take a closer look at the internet plans available from CenturyLink. Keep in mind that different speeds and plans depends on the provider's coverage availability, so not all the offerings below will be an option for you. To get the prices listed for Price for Life plans, you'll need to opt for paperless billing.

While there are several packages available, essentially customers are choosing between the Price for Life DSL plans and Fiber Gigabit Internet (where available), as there are only two price options that separate the two. The only difference is that the speed you get will depend on where you live, so although you may want the 100 Mbps plan, your area may only offer a maximum of 15 Mbps. Yet, you'll still be paying the same rate.

All of CenturyLink's DSL plans have a data cap of 1 TB. This is more than enough data for the vast majority of internet users, even if you live in a large household, so you should never have to worry about going over your limit.

For seniors who enjoy streaming content, upgrading to fiber internet for an extra $20 is certainly worth it. CenturyLink states that a 2-hour movie can be downloaded in just 18.4 seconds when you upgrade to fiber internet, whereas it can take up to 2.6 minutes even with the fastest Price for Life option. Plus, the DSL connection for the Price for Life plans is less reliable than fiber internet overall, so it's best for those who just need a basic internet plan to stay connected. Below is a quick breakdown of what these different speed tiers are useful for, so you can get a better idea of how much speed you'll need:

• 15 to 40 Mbps: Best for light internet users who only need to connect one or two devices. If you just want to send emails to your friends and family, check out pictures of the grandkids on Facebook, and online shop from time to time, this plan will be sufficient. You'll be able to stay connected, but if you want to do any more advanced things like play online games or stream movies in HD, we'd recommend faster speeds.
• 80 to 100 Mbps: For those who want to stream movies with friends, video chat with the kids, or for seniors who have several devices, like a phone, TV, laptop, and speaker, connected to the internet at once, these download speeds will be more sufficient. These speeds are also great for households of 2-3 light internet users.
• 940 Mbps: Seniors who want as much speed as possible and an ultra-reliable fiber connection will want to opt for the 940 Mbps plan. This is far more speed than the average senior will need, but you'll never have to worry about buffering, a frozen screen, or your connection slowing down when lots of people are online at once. If you love to have lots of family members over, and they are all big internet users, this plan may be for you. Whether your grandkids like to game, upload videos to YouTube, watch shows on Netflix for hours, or do schoolwork online, you'll be set.

CenturyLink Discounts for Seniors

There are a few different ways to qualify for a discount on your CenturyLink internet plan. As we've mentioned, there isn't currently a senior-specific discount, but many older adults will meet the qualifications to receive CenturyLink's Lifeline Plan, which offers a discount for low-income households.

First and foremost, the Lifeline plan is for seniors (or anyone else) on a low income and is branched into ‘Single Lifeline' and ‘Tribal Lifeline' packages. The Single Lifeline plan will give you a discount of $9.25 per month through federal support, which would take the $49 per month packages down to just $39.75 when you sign up online. For this price, you'll receive speeds between 40-80 Mbps of internet which is adequate for seniors who only have light usage requirements.

The tribal discount offers an increased but undisclosed discount compared with standard Lifeline. Another plus is that it also includes installation assistance, which is perfect for seniors who aren't tech-savvy. Though one downside is the eligibility for the tribal discount2 is stricter than the standard lifeline option.

If you qualify for the following programs, then you may also be eligible for the Lifeline plan:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefit.

There are also various tribal eligibility plans2 that are on the qualification list too. For comparison, a few other providers like AT&T and Xfinity currently provide internet plans to low-income subscribers for as little as $10 per month. While CenturyLink's discount isn't as affordable as this, it's still a great option if CenturyLink is the main internet provider in your area.

Bundle for a Better Deal with CenturyLink

The CenturyLink bundle options offer some much-needed perks to their internet plans. For $85 per month, you can get speeds up to 940 Mbps and unlimited home phone use. That's just $20 more per month than the standalone 940 Mbps fiber plan, for both top-tier internet and unlimited calling.

For seniors who want to stay connected, this package is ideal, especially if you prefer a home phone to a cell phone. To qualify, you must opt for paperless billing, meaning less-tech-savvy seniors could miss out. The total speed is also dependent on where you live. That being said, you can enter your zip code beforehand to get a speed estimate to guide you as to whether the bundle is worth it or not.

How Does CenturyLink Stack up to the Competition?

As previously mentioned, CenturyLink is the third-largest nationwide internet provider in terms of profit, so who are other providers in the top two spots? You might not be surprised to learn that AT&T followed by Verizon currently hold the top spots. Here is what they offer in comparison to CenturyLink.

CenturyLink vs. AT&T

AT&T

• Also part of the lifeline program
• More discounts for low-income households
• Great sign up perks like $300 in reward cards when you bundle online
• Cheaper starting price

AT&T has several internet plans with prices starting at $40 per month for slower speeds. This is a fairer offer than CenturyLink, who charge the same ($49 per month) for all plans unless customers switch to fiber internet. However, one area where CenturyLink has a leg up compared to AT&T is pricing long term.

As we've mentioned, with CenturyLink's Price for Life DSL plans, your monthly rates will never increase. On the other hand, your monthly AT&T internet rates will increase after the first year. Like CenturyLink, AT&T offers DSL and fiber options in many states, though they are not available in all areas. There are also no specific discounts for seniors either, even though AT&T offers them within their cellular plans. AT&T is a part of the Lifeline Program and Access Programs which are ideal for seniors on lower incomes. Prices start at $10 per month for those who qualify.

CenturyLink vs. Verizon

Verizon

• More perks thrown in
• Cheaper starting rates
• Better fiber internet packages
• Complicated sign-up process

Verizon is also part of the Lifeline discount program, and will offer a discount of $20 per month for customers who qualify. Unlike CenturyLink, the explanation of who qualifies for Lifeline3 is a lot more complex, which some seniors may find difficult to understand properly.

While Verizon's plans once again aren't senior-specific, there is a lot more choice with regards to fiber internet, which starts at just $19.99 per month for 200 Mbps. This also includes Disney+ for 12 months. The most expensive package is the Gigabit connection, costing $59.99 per month for up to 940 Mbps. You'll also receive Disney+ and Hulu for 12 months, as well as Free Stream TV, a router rental, and the option to save $20 on an unlimited wireless phone plan. Overall, Verizon offers several extra perks and streaming features that CenturyLink doesn't. However, they are much less widely available throughout the country, so they might not be an option in your area.

About CenturyLink

CenturyLink is the third-largest provider of telecommunications in the United States. They offer internet, telephone, and DirectTV services. CenturyLink has a company history that spans back almost a hundred years, when in 1930 the business began as Oak Ridge Telephone Company. Known for its widespread availability in rural areas, CenturyLink currently offers broadband services across 36 states, with the most concentrated coverage in Arizona, Colorado, and Washington. As of 2018, CenturyLink had over 5.4 million customers in the U.S.

Is CenturyLink Worth It?

Despite not offering any senior-specific internet plans, CenturyLink is still a solid internet option for seniors. CenturyLink offers the majority of its packages at $49 per month for DSL speeds ranging anywhere from 15 Mbps up to 100 Mbps, depending on your location and availability. For those who want faster, more reliable internet speeds, fiber internet will offer a solution if you live in an area where it can be installed, though it will cost $65 per month. These prices may seem high compared to budget internet providers, but you'll be able to lock in your rates for life with the DSL plans, and for its fiber plan, CenturyLink is reasonably priced.

Given most Americans aged 65 and over are spending 10 hours a day interacting with a screen4 such as computers or tablets, it's clear that seniors have a need to find an internet package that offers great value to meet their needs. With their lifetime price lock, bundle plans, high-speed internet options, and Lifeline discount, we believe that CenturyLink fits the bill!