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Execs
- Quick add and obtain speeds
- No information caps, no contracts
- Worth for all times assure
Cons
- Availability restricted to pick areas
- Few plan choices
Finest Quantum Fiber web plans
| Plan | Month-to-month worth | Max speeds | Charges and repair particulars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200Mbps | $30 | 200Mbps down, 200Mbps up | No tools charges (initially), no information caps or contracts |
| 500Mbps | $50 | 500Mbps down, 500Mbps up | No tools charges (initially), no information caps or contracts |
| 940Mbps | $75 | 940Mbps down, 940Mbps up | No tools charges (initially), no information caps or contracts |
| 3 Gig | $100 | 3,000Mbps down, 3,000Mbps up | No tools charges (initially), no information caps or contracts |
| 8 Gig | $165 | 8,000Mbps down, 8,000Mbps up | No tools charges (initially), no information caps or contracts |
Present extra (1 merchandise)
Supply: CNET evaluation of supplier information
Quantum Fiber, a division of Lumen Applied sciences (together with CenturyLink), has one of many largest fiber-optic networks within the US. As such, obtainable plans could fluctuate from one location to a different.
In most markets, at the least those I’ve checked (and that’s many, from Phoenix to Florida, Minneapolis to Seattle and Boise in between), the supplier’s two flagship plans, 500 megabits per second and 940Mbps, are the principle choices. Extra selections could be splendid, but it surely’s price noting that 500 or 940Mbps is ample velocity for many households.
The 200Mbps plan hearkens again to pre-Quantum Fiber days when the service was referred to as CenturyLink Fiber, however it might be obtainable to new clients in choose markets. The brand new multigig plans arrived below the Quantum Fiber model, with speeds as much as 3 and eight gigabits per second. At present, 3- and 8-gig availability is restricted to a choose few areas, one in every of which is Denver, Colorado.
Whatever the Quantum Fiber plans obtainable in your space, the web service, together with service particulars, promotional affords and the way it compares to different web service suppliers, is essentially the identical. Together with plans and pricing, right here’s all it is advisable to learn about Quantum Fiber earlier than signing up.
What to anticipate in your Quantum Fiber invoice
Quantum Fiber’s broadband label signifies no tools charges, set up prices or different charges. Whereas that is largely true, renting tools may include a month-to-month price after an preliminary interval.
Quantum Fiber retains it pretty easy in terms of plan pricing and the high quality print, so there shouldn’t be any surprises — within the type of worth hikes or an added price for going over your information restrict, for instance — in your invoice.
Granted, taxes, miscellaneous charges and (probably) tools rental prices will add to your invoice, however Quantum Fiber doesn’t inflate the preliminary or month-to-month worth the identical as different suppliers may.
No tools charges, most likely
Quantum Fiber contains tools rental at no extra price for an “preliminary interval.” That’s an awfully obscure time period and one which muddies the supplier’s in any other case clear pricing. Nonetheless, you possibly can count on free Wi-Fi tools rental, at the least initially.
If and when that preliminary interval ends, how a lot your tools rental will add to the invoice can be a little bit of a thriller. We’ve seen a price of $15 up to now (and it’s price noting CenturyLink additionally costs $15), however the precise price could rely in your particular tools and variety of mesh Wi-Fi pods you’ve gotten.
Quantum Fiber’s 360 Wi-Fi affords whole-home connectivity utilizing a mesh Wi-Fi system with as much as 4 pods. The service and tools can be found at no additional price for an preliminary interval.
Quantum Fiber’s 360 Wi-Fi service affords as much as 4 Wi-Fi pods, relying on what number of your set up tech determines your own home wants, along with the SmartNID optical community terminal gadget. Most gadgets will characteristic Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, although Wi-Fi 7 is out there in choose areas.
It’s a formidable setup designed for whole-home protection, so take pleasure in it whereas it’s free. If the rental price, when and if relevant, is greater than you’d wish to pay, there’s the choice to use your individual tools and skip the price. You can even strive calling customer support to negotiate for higher service phrases, together with free tools.
No information caps, contracts or set up charges
Tools rental is considerably of a wild card, however different Quantum Fiber service phrases are extra simple.
All plans include limitless information. Meaning you might be free to make use of your web the way you need (throughout the phrases of the suitable use coverage, in fact) with out having to look at your information so as to keep away from overage charges or velocity throttling.
There are no contracts, so you possibly can cancel or make adjustments to your service at any time with out incurring an early termination price. Simply remember that doing so could include dropping the price-for-life assure in your plan.
Skilled set up can be at present fee-free, however Quantum Fiber states within the high quality print that “this might change sooner or later, and a few clients with extra services or products may need additional set up prices.” So just like the tools rental, take pleasure in it if it’s free, however don’t be completely stunned if it does find yourself costing additional.
About that price-for-life assure
Many ISPs, notably of the cable web selection, have promotional and commonplace pricing. The promotional charge is commonly good for one or two years, after which the value jumps to the usual charge. Some suppliers (taking a look at you, Astound, Cox and Xfinity) enhance the speed considerably, generally by double the promotional charge or extra relying on the plan.
Quantum Fiber doesn’t have promotional pricing, so that you’re paying the usual charge from the beginning and also you don’t have to fret about set worth will increase a 12 months or two later. That’s not essentially distinctive, as just a few suppliers do the identical, together with AT&T Fiber, Google Fiber and Verizon Fios.
Nevertheless, Quantum Fiber takes it a step additional by guaranteeing your charge for so long as you retain your plan. If 500Mbps is $50 while you join, 500Mbps shall be $50 one, two or three years later and on.
That’s to not say your invoice won’t ever go up — that tools rental price could ultimately seem, after which enhance sooner or later down the highway. Moreover, taxes and miscellaneous charges could go up at any time, to no fault of Quantum Fiber.
Quantum Fiber availability
Quantum Fiber’s availability dropped after Lumen Applied sciences bought a portion of its networks, however the ISP nonetheless has a formidable protection space with service obtainable in 16 states.
Till late 2022, CenturyLink had one of many largest mixed fiber and DSL networks, obtainable in elements of 36 states coast to coast. It was then that Lumen Applied sciences bought a good portion of its networks (largely to new ISP Brightspeed) on the East Coast and within the Midwest and South. The ISP now operates primarily in Florida and west of the Mississippi River.
Nonetheless, Quantum Fiber’s protection is spectacular, obtainable to almost 2% of US households, making it the fourth largest fiber web supplier nationwide. Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington have the best Quantum Fiber availability.
Main cities with respectable (over 25%) Quantum Fiber serviceability embody:
- Boise, Idaho
- Denver, Colorado
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Portland, Oregon
- Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah
- Seattle, Washington
How does Quantum Fiber examine?
If Quantum Fiber is out there in your space, you’ll most likely have the choice of at the least one different ISP, seemingly a cable web supplier, however 5G dwelling web may be obtainable.
As a rule, I’d advocate fiber web over different connection sorts comparable to cable, DSL or 5G, and that’s the case with Quantum Fiber.
Cable suppliers comparable to Astound, Mediacom and Xfinity could have a decrease beginning worth than Quantum Fiber (assuming the $30 200Mbps plan isn’t obtainable in your space), however the decrease pricing may include slower speeds. Moreover, the low worth doesn’t final ceaselessly, and cable web will nearly assuredly be the dearer service a 12 months or two down the highway.
Pricing between Quantum Fiber and 5G ISPs together with T-Cell Residence Web and Verizon 5G Residence Web is extra intently matched, however you’ll get quicker speeds and higher reliability from Quantum Fiber.
Sooner uploads, higher reliability
One other benefit Quantum Fiber, and all fiber ISPs, have over cable or 5G ISPs is symmetrical add and obtain speeds and supreme reliability.
Whereas add speeds play much less of a job in typical dwelling web use — video conferencing, on-line gaming, and importing pictures and movies to social media are the most important makes use of, all of which require round 10Mbps or much less — it’s good to have the additional velocity while you want it.
The reliability, 99.9% in keeping with Quantum Fiber, is way more beneficial. Cable and 5G dwelling web are prone to community congestion, so speeds can drop throughout peak utilization occasions or, within the case of 5G, as extra customers be part of the community.
A take a look at Quantum Fiber buyer satisfaction
Final 12 months was the primary 12 months the American Buyer Satisfaction Index scored fiber and non-fiber ISPs individually. The transfer favored Quantum Fiber (proven as CenturyLink Fiber) effectively, because the ISP scored a 78 out of 100, second solely to AT&T Fiber (80). The rating was three factors above the trade common for fiber suppliers.
J.D. Energy didn’t differentiate between CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber in 2023, so the general rating might be (and doubtless is) lowered by Lumen Applied sciences’ DSL facet of the enterprise. CenturyLink landed a 709 out of 1,000 within the North Central area, once more second to AT&T (726), however didn’t fare as effectively within the West the place a rating of 687 fell effectively under the area common.
The low rating within the West is regarding, however once more, I’d attribute that to CenturyLink’s DSL service, particularly contemplating Quantum Fiber’s excessive ACSI rating.
Quantum Fiber recap
Quantum Fiber doesn’t provide you with a whole lot of choices — 500 or 940Mbps is it in most areas — but when the obtainable speeds meet your wants, then the ISP is definitely price contemplating.
Together with quick, constant add and obtain speeds, Quantum Fiber comes with limitless information, no contract necessities and free tools rental (form of). That’s par for the course with most fiber suppliers, however Quantum Fiber stands out additional with its price-for-life assure that locks in your month-to-month charge for so long as you retain your plan.
Quantum Fiber FAQs
What’s the distinction between CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber?
Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink are two totally different dwelling web manufacturers below Lumen Applied sciences. The primary distinction between the 2 companies is within the connection kind. CenturyLink is a copper-based DSL service whereas Quantum Fiber employs a fiber-optic community. The applied sciences make for vastly totally different companies in terms of velocity, reliability and availability.
To additional differentiate between the 2 companies, Lumen Applied sciences retired the CenturyLink Fiber model and transitioned clients to the brand new Quantum Fiber service.
How a lot does Quantum Fiber really price?
Quantum Fiber plans vary from $30 to $165 per 30 days for max speeds of 200 to eight,000Mbps. Nevertheless, most areas may have the choice of two plans: 500Mbps beginning at $50 per 30 days or 940Mbps for $75.
Tools is included at no extra price for an “preliminary interval,” after which an tools price could apply in case you select to hire from Quantum Fiber. There are not any information caps or contracts.
What’s Quantum Fiber’s price-for-life assure?
The worth-for-life assure locks your month-to-month charge for the lifetime of the plan. For instance, in case you join 500Mbps at $50 per 30 days, the $50 charge will keep the identical so long as you retain your plan.
The assure would not apply to tools rental charges, taxes or different miscellaneous charges, so what you pay every month very effectively could go up sooner or later, however not due to a charge enhance.
How briskly is Quantum Fiber?
Quantum Fiber affords max speeds of 200, 500 and 940Mbps in choose areas, together with multigig speeds of three and 8Gbps. Most areas, nonetheless, may have the choice of 500 or 940Mbps. Remember the fact that such speeds are to the house. Precise skilled speeds inside the house will fluctuate as a result of a wide range of elements comparable to utilizing Wi-Fi and connecting a number of gadgets.
As a fiber-optic web supplier, Quantum Fiber has the benefit of delivering symmetrical add and obtain speeds, so max speeds to and from the house ought to be comparable. Moreover, fiber service is much less weak to community congestion, so speeds are sometimes extra constant throughout peak utilization occasions or as extra customers be part of the native community.
How do I contact Quantum Fiber customer support?
You may contact Quantum Fiber customer support by way of on-line chat or over the cellphone at 833-250-6306 seven days every week between the hours of seven a.m. and 11 p.m. CST. You can even attain out to Quantum Fiber buyer help on the supplier’s official Fb, X and Instagram pages, or ship an electronic mail to fibersuccess@q.com.
