 Review by fuffer 
UPDATED: 35 days ago
member for 7.1 years, 2646 visits, last login: a few hours ago
 Mukwonago,Waukesha,WI
 $39 per month (12 month contract)
 about 7 days
 CenturyTel
 "Right at advertised speed, low latency"
 "None anymore!"
 "No problems here."
| Pre Sales information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Tech Support:
Services:
Value for money:
(ratings above consensus)
|
Let me start by saying that I'm not a big downloader. I surf/email quite a bit, and VPN into my office. Speed is important, but not everything.
Having said that, I was using RoadRunners 3000/512 cable service (without their TV) which was running me $50/mo. Unlimited calling through Vonage was $24/mo. Since the competition is heating up around here with TW phone service, CenturyTel has become quite competitive.
I called to check availability, and found the package that I wanted. The modem cost and installation fees were waived, though it's a 12 month contract. If I want out early, I pay a prorated charge for the modem. Anyway, this was a Friday. By Monday the modem was on my doorstep. five days later, Friday noon, it was up and running.
I now get unlimited phone service, and 1500/256 PPPoE DSL for less than what I was paying for the old configuration. Yes, a reliable phone service and a still snappy connection for less. Even after taxes and fees, I save a couple of bucks.
Do I wish they offered faster service? Sure. They don't offer their 3000/512 service yet, and if they do, it will probably cost more than I'd like to spend.
As I said above though, speed is not everything to me! I do have to say though that the low latency has made surfing and email seem "peppy" to me. I haven't wished for the higher speeds at all!
Good job, CenturyTel!
*UPDATE 5/6/06*
This service has been absolutely rock-solid! The low pings make surfing "snappy", and there has been no downtime that I've been aware of. I absolutely do not regret making the switch. The phone/DSL bundle is great, even if a tad on the expensive side.
*UPDATE 9/1/06*
3000/512 now available. Painless upgrade, still working very well!
*UPDATE 4/8/07*
A big win for customer service! I moved to the next town over, also serviced by CenturyTel. I wanted to switch my 2 phone lines (one is a biz line) and DSL from the old house to the new one on the same day. about 11AM, service at the old house is shut off. Pack up the phones and modem, and sure enough everything was up and running at the new place, without even missing a beat!
Now I find out that they have 10Mpbs service in my area for the same price as the 3000/512 I have now. No problem, they say, we'll have you hooked up by 4/12/07. I'll come back (hopefully I'll remember!) and do another update then. The overall reliability - only an hour of downtime in well over a year - and service has earned them in increase in score from me.
Good job, CenturyTel!
*UPDATE 4/13/07*
Wooo hooo! I'm now getting 10000/768 and it ROCKS! The one thing to be careful of is that older CTEL modems won't sync to the higher speeds. Be sure to ask them about your modem when you upgrade.
At any rate, 10000/768 for $10/mo less than 3000/512. Am I happy? You bet!
*UPDATE 11/2/07*
Everything is still great. There was a week when I my speed was brought down to 6000/768 due to some technical issues. It was resolved quickly, and I'm back up to my full 10000/768. The service has been great, especially when dealing with the local techs. I highly recommend them!
*UPDATE 5/22/08*
Well, I narrowly averted disaster! I had a cable modem installed yesterday because "dry DSL" was going to cost me $59.95/mo. Fortunately, a CenturyTel rep informed me of a deal where I could save enough to make the price comparable to cable. I called in, got it worked out, and I'll be taking the cable modem back tomorrow. I'm glad that I was able to keep CTL!
*UPDATE 7/15/08*
True to their word, not only was my bill lower than what I would have paid for cable, but they also credited me (pro-rated) the rest of the month when I switched to a different plan. Everything switched with no hiccups. I am excited - I see lots of trucks laying fiber in my area..I hope that we'll be seeing 15000/768 around here soon!
Followup comments:  
Simon Kodousek
@centurytel.net
| Should Be Better Hi,
I've had Centurytel's DSL internet service (1.5 MBPS) for about 2 years now. When we moved here, we had Centurytel's dial-up service, however when DSL was available we jumped on it. At first I loved the speed, but 2 years later it's pretty slow. Right now I'm considering switching to Road Runner since it is 5 MBPS VS. 1.5 MBPS and it is only $5 more per month for 12 months (after 12 months the price raises from $34.95 to $44.95).
Here are some things I'd like to add: First off, Centurytel's customer support is absolutely terrible. You usually get very rude people, people who don't know what they are talking about, or people who don't seem happy to help. They also require a social security number for every small task, even adding an e-mail account. Second, there are parental controls built into the internet, so you have to call to turn them off. These controls block popular sites such as Google Video and YouTube.
As soon as Verizon FiOs service becomes available in my area I'll be getting their 15 MBPS service.
Thanks,
Simon  | |
|  | | | BigVe
join:2005-07-15
Gulliver, MI
 ·CenturyTel Inc.
edit:
April 8th, @02:17PM
| In reply.I have been in contact with the customer service several times and they Always where polite and helpful so i don't know what customer support you ended up with.Also doing changes on your account requires verification and that IS for your protection.If not anyone could do changes on your account and you wouldn't like that....right.I use YouTube with NO problems as well as Google video.You should check your setup.Are you using the included software?? If so dump it.What it goes for speed vs price Yes, if i ever would get a chance to something cheaper and faster i would jump on it too since Centurytel's offerings is Highly overpriced.I will never be able to get any Verizon Fios (and if you do, Do you have some extra rooms to rent out  )at my location but wish you the best. | |
| | Dolgan
Premium
join:2005-10-01
Sun Prairie, WI | LOL I just wonder how Simon plans to get Verizon FIOS in Century Tel territory. Verizon will not be overbuilding into other carrier's territories. | |
| | | 
Icon
Time Keeper
Premium,MVM
join:2004-01-07
Kimberling City, MO
·CenturyTel Inc.
| Re: Should Be Better said by Dolgan :LOL I just wonder how Simon plans to get Verizon FIOS in Century Tel territory. Verizon will not be overbuilding into other carrier's territories. Exactly. No such luck there bro. As for blocking the websites you mentioned, there is nothing on CenturyTel's service that blocks those sites.
--
Something unknown is doing we don't know what. Sir Arthur Eddington | |
| | | |
| Forums » comments on review of CenturyTel Inc. |
|
(12)
(11)
·
