How Can I Get Free Or Low-Cost Internet from CenturyLink – In today’s era both the internet and technology has become a significant part of our daily lives. However, it can be financially challenging for low-income families to keep up with the increasing cost related to internet service plans. The good news is that CenturyLink participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program to provide high speed affordable internet to low-income families throughout the United States of America. This helpful and innovative initiative is continuing to revolutionize the way people access internet facilities and is creating a profound impact on their lives. In this guide, we will discuss how you can get free or low-cost internet from CenturyLink ACP program and what are the best CenturyLink internet plans that you can opt for.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- CenturyLink participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
- ACP provides discounts up to $30 per month on internet service for qualifying households.
- Low-income families and participants in specific government programs can qualify for ACP.
- CenturyLink offers fiber internet plans with speeds up to 1 Gigbps.
What is CenturyLink?
CenturyLink is a prominent internet service provider and broadband communication company founded in 1930 and is currently headquartered in Monroe LA. The service provider offers voice, broadband, and video network data to subscribers in 39 different states throughout America. As per reports of FCC CenturyLink is the third biggest service provider on the market right now.
CenturyLink internet provides the fastest speed to customers on the market and based on your location you can be eligible to get internet speed up to 1000 Mbps. Moreover, the company allows customers to keep the same internet rate per month without the need to sign a monthly contract or experience a certain hike in the price. The CenturyLink home phone services help customers to get reliable and crystal clear connections with no lag time or delays.
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What Kinds Of Services Does Centurylink Provide?
CenturyLink is a popular fiber Gigabit Internet service provider and subscribers rely on this company since they provide speeds up to 940 Mbps in different locations throughout the country. Moreover, the service provider also participates in the federal Affordable Connectivity Program. Following are the extensive services that you can expect on choosing CenturyLink.
Residential Home Services
CenturyLink provides different residential services including TV, internet and home phone.
TV Services
The service provider provides a wide variety of TV plans such as live TV, streaming services and on-demand content.
Internet Services
CenturyLink provides a wide array of internet plans such as fiber optic internet that provides speed up to 940 Mbps.
Fiber Internet
The Fiber Internet option by CenturyLink is one of the fastest and most reliable internet services available to customers with speeds ranging up to 940 Mbps.
Home Phone Services
There is a wide variety of home phone services by CenturyLink including caller ID, voicemail, unlimited calling etcetera.
Few more services include the following:
- CenturyLink provides moving services that enable customers to transfer their TV, Internet and home phone services to their new home.
- CenturyLink provides entertainment for kids so that they can enjoy their TV shows from their favorite movies and music.
- The company provides alarm security kits to protect your home from crimes and break-ins.
- The company enables people to stay connected with their classmates and colleagues while learning or working from home.
- You can get gaming kits from CenturyLink that will help you improve your gaming experience.
Does CenturyLink Provide Free Or Low Cost Internet?
Yes, CenturyLink provides free or discounted internet services to qualifying households in the United States of America. This is because the service provider participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program.
The ISP initiative has been launched by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as a replacement for the temporary Emergency Broadband Benefits project to offer low-cost internet and discounted connected devices like tablets, computers and laptops to low-income households.
CenturyLink ACP program enables customers to get a monthly discount of up to $30 per month or an enhanced discount of up to $75 per month if they’re living in an eligible tribal land. Customers can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 for purchasing computers, tablets or laptops by making a copy of $10 to $50 respectively.
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Why Choose CenturyLink Internet?
CenturyLink provides relatively fast internet speed as well as unlimited data. However, the internet service by the company is not designed for everyone. CenturyLink has only one internet plan available in its serviceable areas throughout the country which gives limited options to customers, unlike other service providers.
Following is the list of reasons why you must go for CenturyLink internet plans.
- Faster Speed: CenturyLink fiber and DSL speeds are quite fast compared to other service providers. The service provider provides Fiber Internet and DSL Internet. While Fiber is extremely reliable and fast but not as widely available as DSL the latter is an older connection type with slower speed.
- No Contracts: Customers need not enter into long-term contracts with CenturyLink service therefore they can change or move their service anytime without paying early termination fees.
- Broad Service Areas: CenturyLink Internet plans are available to various areas where other cable or fiber providers may not provide reliable and high-speed internet.
- Extra Add-ons: CenturyLink charges $15 per month in equipment fees. Customers have the option to buy their equipment to save some money. You also have to pay a one-time installation fee in the range between $25 to $149 based on internet technology.
CenturyLink ACP is a true game-changer in the telecommunication industry. The service provider not only helps to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusivity but also helps low-income households to access high-speed internet without straining their budget. Through this eligible households can access broadband services at a reasonable rate and keep up with the fast technological advances.
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List Of Best CenturyLink Internet Plans
CenturyLink enables its subscribers to choose between internet speed in areas where more than one internet speed is available. You can choose the fastest speed in your area and can also opt for self-installation to get the best value in the long run. You will get DSL connections if you’re not living in a metro area that will enable you to access plans up to 100 Mbps speed with more latency compared to a fiber option.
CenturyLink Internet plans come with affordable pricing and added features like free self-installation and unlimited data with select plans. Below is the list of best-century internet plans.
- Simply Unlimited Internet Plan: Simply unlimited is a DSL connection type by CenturyLink that provides up to 100 Mbps speed range at the cost of $55 per month. After applying your $30 ACP credit you just have to pay $25 from your pocket.
- Fiber 500 Internet Plan: This plan is priced at $50 per month and provides a maximum download speed of up to 500 Mbps. The Fibre 500 Mbps plan is fast enough for medium or large households and is priced as low as $50 per month. After applying your $30 ACP credit you just have to pay $20 from your pocket.
- Fiber Gigabit Internet Plan: This plan is priced at $75 per month and provides maximum download speed up to $75 per month. After applying for a $30 ACP credit you just have to pay $45 from your pocket.
If you’re not streaming from different devices at a time, working from home or live gaming then you can opt for Centurylink Fiber just by paying $75 per month. On the other hand, the Fiber GB Internet plan is the best option for average households in the United States. If there are no such fiber optic providers available in your area and CenturyLink DSL service is only available to you then opting for CenturyLink will likely be a more affordable long-term option compared to other satellite, and cable operators.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For Free/ Low-Cost CenturyLink ACP Benefits?
To get free or discounted internet services and free government tablets you first need to qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program. Following is the list of eligibility criteria to qualify for free or low-cost CenturyLink ACP benefits.
Qualify Based On Income
The combined annual household income of the applicant should be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. This comprises low-income households with one person earning up to $27118 annually and families of 4 earning up to $55500 annually. An additional $9400 can be added for an additional person in the household.
Qualify Based On Participation In Government Assistance Programs
Moreover, you can also qualify for CenturyLink ACP plans if you can prove your participation in the following programs:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Federal Public Housing Program or Section 8
- School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- Welfare-to-work
- Supplemental Security Income
- Veteran’s Pension or Survivor Benefits
- Lifeline Assistance Program
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program For Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Must be a current-year recipient of the federal Pell Grant
- Applicants living on qualifying tribal land must participate in one of the following programs: Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Tribal Head Start, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation, Affordable Housing Program For American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians.
Also, applicants should be at least 18 years of age to receive CenturyLink Affordable Connectivity Program benefits with a valid US identification card. Citizenship in the United States of America and lawful residentship of the state where CenturyLink operates are important to receive free or discounted internet plans.
Low income families can also benefit from the Free phone and Tablet Government Programs.
What Are The Documents Required To Prove Your Centurylink ACP Eligibility?
Applicants must attach the following relevant documents along with the application form for the CenturyLink ACP program to receive free or discounted internet services.
Income Verification Documents
Following is the list of acceptable income documents:
- Paycheck stub
- Recent Income Statement from your employer
- Retirement or Pension Statement of Benefits
- Workers Compensation Statement of Benefits
- Veteran Administration Statement of Benefits
- Social Security Statement of Benefits
- Previous year’s federal state or tribal tax return
- Unemployment or Workmen’s Compensation Statement of benefit.
Proof of Government Program Participation
Following is the accepted document that demonstrates your participation in the government assistance programs.
- Benefit Award Letter
- Government Approval Letter
- Statement Of Benefits Letter.
Identity and Age Documents
The generally accepted documents are as follows:
- Drivers license
- Birth certificate
- Passport
- Government-issued state military or tribal ID
- Certificate of US citizenship
- Permanent resident card
- US driver’s license
- Certification of emancipation.
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How To Apply For Free Or Low-Cost Internet From CenturyLink ACP Benefits?
Low-income households who can meet the aforementioned eligibility criteria and provide relevant documents need to follow the below-mentioned steps to complete the application procedure.
1. Determine Your ACP Eligibility
The first and foremost step is to determine whether you can meet the eligibility for the Affordable Connectivity Program. You can fulfill eligibility criteria based on your low-income status or government program participation. If you’re eligible, submit your documents to the National Verifier to get a response about your approval.
2. Complete ACP Application Form
You need to follow the below-mentioned steps to complete the ACP application form:
- Open the ACP website and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button
- Next you will see the application form for the ACP National Verifier
- Fill out the application form and upload the eligibility documents
- Finally, submit the application form and wait for a response. Once approved you can reach out to them to CenturyLink for their ACP service.
3. Complete CenturyLink Enrollment
The next step is to contact CenturyLink customer service so that you can apply ACP credits to your internet bills. For this, you have to simply dial 866-642-0444 and seek direction about how you can use the ACP credits with your current CenturyLink account.
You can also complete the CenturyLink application procedure online by visiting the official website: https://www.centurylink.com/relief/. Fill out the application form, enter your e-mail address, zip code and upload the documents. and you can notice ACP credits will start applying from your second bill.
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List Of Rules And Guidelines Of CenturyLink ACP
- Only one member from each household is eligible to receive ACP benefits and get free or discounted Internet
- Eligible households that do violate the one discount service per household rule will tend to lose their discount and can also be prosecuted by the government.
- ACP discounts are for the individual’s primary residence. An individual can have only one permanent primary residence.
- CenturyLink ACP program requires existing customers who are receiving the free or discounted internet to renew their participation on an annual basis. If a consumer fails to renew their participation in the ACP program then they will be dropped from the program.
- The benefits that you receive from the CenturyLink ACP free or discounted internet program are non-transferable. You cannot transfer the device or service to another person.
- In case you are no longer eligible for the free phone or tablet program from the ACP program then you must notify CenturyLink within a period of 30 days
- You must use your service once a month or else the CenturyLink authorities can dismiss the service that you are receiving currently.
- A household cannot get ACP benefits from multiple providers however can switch from one provider to another anytime.
CenturyLink Customer Satisfaction Ratings: Recent Facts & Figures
As per a recent report from the FCC, approximately 45% of CenturyLink customers experienced internet speeds higher than 95% of what had been initially advertised.
Nearly 30% received internet speed within 80 to 95% of what was advertised and around 25% received less than 80% of what had been initially advertised.
Based on customer feedback received, the American Customer Satisfaction Index gives annual customer satisfaction scores to internet providers. Following are some figures and stats about customer satisfaction ratings of CenturyLink.
- CenturyLink fiber received a customer score rating of 78/100 in 2023 and took the second place in the top fiber providers after AT&T fiber.
- Unlike other fiber providers, CenturyLink stood in a better position than Verizon FiOS and Google Fiber
- The average ISP score for fiber plans is 75/100
- CenturyLink received 62/100 for non-fibre providers after AT&T, Sparklight, Windstream, Xfinity, Spectrum and others.
Additional ACP Service Providers That Help With Free Or Low Cost Internet
Besides CenturyLink there are many Free Phones and tablets Government Programs. In case you do not qualify for CenturyLink ACP then take a look at the following service providers that help with ACP benefits:
- TruConnect
- Qlink Wireless
- Assurance wireless
- Maxsip Telecom
- True Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
- Excess Telecom
- Assist Wireless
- Easy Wireless
- enTouch Wireless
- Cintex Wireless
- Sprocket Wireless
- SafetyNet Wireless
- StandUp Wireless
Conclusion
CenturyLink ACP is an initiative designed to bridge the digital divide and enable poor households to access internet connectivity. With more and more of our day-to-day lives being conducted online, everyone needs to access reliable and affordable internet service. CenturyLink ACP is an amazing way through which low-income households can stay connected without breaking their banks. This initiative not only helps needy families but also serves to benefit society at large by providing better and improved digital accessibility. This article has helped you to know the eligibility criteria, the application procedure, and documents required for CenturyLink ACP and transform your life for the better.
Read about government grants and financial assistance programs at our Get Government Grants’ section today. We will guide you and assist you to find the right type of support based on your needs and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Centurylink Provide Senior Discounts?
CenturyLink is a proud participant in the Federal Lifeline Assistance Program and so it offers reasonable internet service to eligible customers including seniors for just $9.25 per month.
Is There A Contract Requirement For CenturyLink Internet Plans?
CenturyLink does not require any annual contract requirements on its internet or other plans. You can cancel the service anytime without paying any early termination fees. However CenturyLink charges a monthly rate of $15 for its gateway combination modem and router but the fees can be waived for customers who are having fiber Gigabit Internet.
How Fast Is CenturyLink Internet?
The CenturyLink Internet speed is based on your current location. Generally, the company provides a variety of speeds and ranges between 3 Mbps and 200 Mbps. If you live in a fiber optic-enabled area you can choose the Gigabit fiber Internet. In limited cities, the company’s fiber optic connections provide speeds up to 1 Gbps.
Is Centurylink Available In My Area?
CenturyLink is presently serving around 3,000,000 subscribers with its residential coverage in approximately 1/3 quarters of the United States making it a readily available choice nationwide. The highest concentration is available in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. You can check your address on the official website to find out if the service is available in your neighborhood.
