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Is CenturyLink Good? The Pros and Cons of CenturyLink Internet

Today, there are over 4.5 million internet users in the world. Having a way to reliably get online is pretty much a requirement of everyday life, so it's important you choose good internet service providers (ISPs).

For most households, they go for either cable or DSL internet. These are the most common types of internet in the nation. Not only do cable and DSL offer decent speeds, but also affordable prices for the most part.

If you're looking to get DSL, then you should consider CenturyLink. They're the 3rd largest provider of DSL in the US.

Is CenturyLink good though? In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of CenturyLink internet.

Pro: CenturyLink Coverage Is Great

Because CenturyLink is one of the biggest ISPs in the nation, you can count on them to have excellent coverage. They serve almost 50 million customers across all 50 states, with the greatest coverage in Arizona, Washington, and Colorado.

Of course, the exact coverage for your area will depend on what type of internet you want. It's best to double-check and compare to other ISPs that are available for you.

Pro: CenturyLink Internet Speed Is Good

With their DSL service, you'll get download speeds of up to 20 Mbps. For just one person (or even 2) who uses the internet lightly for email and some video streaming, this should be decent enough.

Pro: CenturyLink Has Fiber Optic Internet

Fiber optic internet is the best type of internet you can get. You can get download speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps, which is much faster than other types of internet, such as cable or DSL.

Not every ISP offers fiber optic internet, which means if you choose CenturyLink as yours, there's this added perk. Their fiber internet gets download speeds of up to 940 Mbps, which is their Fiber Gigabit package.

The only downside is you can only find fiber optic internet in limited places. This is because it takes a hefty investment for ISPs to bring this technology to certain areas, which means they'll only do so in places that are worth it. As a result, you'll mainly find fiber optic internet in more urban areas.

Pro: There Are Lots of CenturyLink Internet Packages

As we've mentioned above, you'll get either DSL or fiber optic internet with CenturyLink. While this is only 2 internet options, they do have quite a few packages available.

For DSL, you have 2 choices: download speeds of up to 15 or 20 Mbps. For fiber optic internet, you can get download speeds of up to 80, 100, or 940 Mbps.

As you can see, there are a total of 5 CenturyLink internet packages to choose from, which means they'll have a plan that's perfect for any household.

Pro: CenturyLink Internet Prices Are Affordable

Not only do you have quite a few internet packages to choose from, but CenturyLink internet prices are also very reasonable and affordable.

For the 2 DSL internet packages and the first 2 fiber optic plans, there's a uniform price of $49 per month. As you can see, it'd be wise to choose the fastest internet speeds possible in your area, as you'll pay the same amount for faster speeds.

For the Fiber Gigabit package, the price goes up to $65 per month. However, you're getting significantly faster internet speeds, plus you don't have a data cap (more on that in the next section).

Also, these prices are only available if you sign up for paperless billing. Otherwise, you may have to pay more for your internet subscription.

Con: There Are CenturyLink Internet Data Caps

When you sign up for internet service, you can't just assume you automatically have as much data as you want. In many cases, the ISP may impose something called a data cap. CenturyLink is no exception.

With all CenturyLink plans (except Fiber Gigabit), there is a data cap of 1,024 GB per month. If you go over this, you may have to pay more. Plus, the speeds may be throttled so your internet is much slower.

Pro: The Data Caps Are Very Generous

While CenturyLink does have data caps, they're pretty much negligible.

To put things more into perspective, consider this: the average household only uses 190 GB of data per month. Even if you have a large family size and every person likes to heavily stream high-resolution videos, you probably won't even get to 500 GB in a month.

So even though CenturyLink has data caps, you most likely won't have to worry about reaching that limit.

Pro: You Can Bundle Phone and TV Services

If you plan on using phone and TV services, CenturyLink offers bundles so you can get some cost-savings. They have Prism TV, which is a digital TV platform.

Many ISPs offer just internet and/or phone services, so this makes CenturyLink a step above their competition in terms of savings and convenience.

Is CenturyLink Good? We Think So

So is CenturyLink good? Based on our list of pros and cons, we'd certainly recommend CenturyLink as a reliable and excellent ISP.

While there are data caps with this provider, they're set at such high numbers that you'd almost certainly never reach the limit. Besides, if you're able to get Fiber Gigabit in your area, then you won't have to worry about data caps at all.

With CenturyLink's simple packages and affordable internet prices, it's definitely a good idea to get this ISP for all your internet needs. There's hardly any cons at all!

Do you want to get CenturyLink internet for your home? Then start searching through thousands of plans today. KonectEaze is here to help you save!

How to Save Money on Your Utility Bills

Texas is one of the highest consumers of electricity in the country, with an average monthly bill of over $130. With our long, hot summers, this comes as no surprise. Staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter doesn't have to strain your pocketbook, however.

There are important steps you can take right now to reduce the amount of money you spend on utility bills. Not sure where to get started? Read on to learn how to save money on your electric bill!

Check Your Windows and Doors

Keeping your house cool in summer is easily one of the biggest contributors to your electricity bill. It's very important that you make sure that the hard work your HVAC unit is doing stays inside your home.

Windows and doors are the biggest places of loss for your home. Go through your home and make sure the seals on all the doors and windows are in good shape. If they're not, have them fixed. 

If you have a little extra money saved, you might even consider swapping out single pane windows for double pane windows. They'll do a better job of keeping the cool air in and the hot air out.

Adjust Your Thermostat

You can save significant amounts of money by changing how you run your air conditioner. Consider bumping the temperature on the thermostat up a few degrees during the day. It is recommended that you set it to 78 during the day in the summer to minimize your usage.

Better yet, consider investing in a programmable thermostat. This allows you to run the air conditioner at one temperature during the day and another at night. 

Service Your Air Conditioner

An HVAC unit that's not in good shape is going to end up costing you a lot more money than one that is. Even minor issues like dirty air filters can impact the efficiency of your HVAC unit and drive up the cost of your electric bill.

Have your air conditioner inspected and serviced at the start of the summer each year. Not only will this save you money on your electric bill, but it'll help you catch problems early, saving you from having to hire an emergency HVAC technician.

Upgrade Your Appliances

Are you hanging on to your old appliances? They might actually be costing you money instead of saving it. 

New appliances are much more energy-efficient than older models. This is even more true if your appliances aren't in the best condition. The less functional the appliance, the harder it's going to have to work to stay cool, and the bigger the drain it is on your wallet.

Compare Providers

Texans use a ton of electricity running their homes. Thankfully, Texas also allows electric companies to compete for your business, a luxury people in most other states don't have.

Texas Electricity Ratings makes finding the best provider for your needs super easy. You can read reviews about electricity providers in your area and compare their rates.  Did you know utilities are not the only home service where you can shop compare and save online? You can also do the same with you home internet service providers, tv providers, and home security service.  Companies like Konecteaze.com are built to help you shop and save based on the best options available at your address.  Wether its AT&T, Spectrum or satellite internet service, konecteaze.com has you covered. 

Ready to Save on Your Utility Bills?

Keeping your home comfortable and functional in Texas doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg, but you will need to take some steps to reign in your utility bills. Always service your HVAC system at the start of summer, keep your appliances in good shape, and exercise your right to shop around for the best electricity provider for your needs.

Need help finding a good electricity provider? That's what we're here for! Use our comparison tool today to compare rates from 135 electricity providers in Texas.

Moving Soon? Here's the Best Time for Setting up Internet Services

If you're moving soon and are experiencing a little stress on how to pack up and start relocating, you're far from alone. According to recent statistics, about 35.5 million Americans pack their bags and move to a new house each year.

One of the most stressful and essential things about moving to a new home is knowing how and when to start setting up internet there. Several factors go into deciding when internet installation needs to take place, including knowing the specific situation that you're in, the options available to you in your new location, and what providers work best for your individual needs.

Here, we're going to take an in-depth look at some of these essential factors so that you get a clearer picture of when you need to begin installing internet in your new home. Read on to make your moving experience as seamless and stress-free as possible!

Knowing Your Situation

The first thing that you need to consider when deciding when to set up an internet connection is the specific situation and circumstances of your move. Internet options are going to differ based on your location and point that you're at in the moving process. Read on to begin thinking about some aspects of relocation that you'll need to consider!

What Internet Options Are There?

Generally, you have two options when it comes to internet: satellite and cable.

Satellite internet can be accessed from anywhere in the US. It's basically a communications service that's provided through a series of three wireless satellites that work together to bring a connection to your home. In rural areas, this may be your only option since there aren't internet lines everywhere. It's slower and performs fewer functions than cable internet does, but it's something, and it works. It also takes a bit of time to set up, so you'll need to call a provider a few weeks before moving.

In more populated areas, you're likely to have internet options via cable. These are often of superior quality because they connect to a series of digital lines closer to your home than the satellites are. Cable is faster and more efficient, but it costs more than satellite internet does. It also isn't available in many areas of the US.

Cable internet can be set up much faster than satellite can. It will likely only take a couple of days to get it up and running at home. As a result, you can worry about this while you relocate rather than before you do so.

Where Are You Relocating To?

Because cable internet isn't offered everywhere, you're going to need to do specific research on the place that you're moving to. If you're headed to a less populated area, you're unlikely to have as many options as you would in a big city.

If you live in an area that has satellite internet exclusively, you're going to need to set it up sooner rather than later. It takes about two weeks to install these services, so you'll want to plan accordingly. If you wait until the later steps of your move, you're likely to find yourself without internet for a few weeks.

Other Factors to Consider in Setting Up Internet

In addition to considering the location you're moving to, you'll need to think about your lifestyle and the urgency of your need for an online connection. Read on to get some ideas of what lifestyle factors may cause you to need an internet connection more quickly than you otherwise would.

Do You Need to Work at Home?

If you work at home, you'll need to set up your internet immediately. Not doing so can cause a huge financial strain on you at one of the worst possible times. Moving costs can be pretty high, and you'll need a way to pay them off.

Make sure that you contact an internet provider early- possibly before you even begin to move- and ask them to set up WiFi at your new place. If you wait a long time, you're also more likely to forget to contact them. This could be detrimental to your work life, so get on top of your internet now!

Is Online Communication Essential to You?

According to psychologists, feeling isolated has incredibly adverse effects on both mental and physical health. In addition to making the risk of depression go up, it also makes you 30% more likely to suffer from a stroke later in life.

If you don't rely on online communications to talk with friends and relatives, you probably could bear to spend a few days waiting for it to get set up. However, most people do require an internet connection to communicate with those they love. If you have friends that live far away from you or are in a long-distance relationship, having internet from the moment you move into your home is essential.

You're going to be stressed out because of the move- don't isolate yourself on top of that!

Do You Have Children While Moving?

Keeping children occupied during a move is difficult, and it's even harder if you don't have a TV set up for them to watch.

If you have children, it's essential that you get the internet up and running quickly regardless of your lifestyle. While you unbox your things and organize your new home, setting your child up with a TV show or iPad is a good way to keep them occupied and out of your way.

Using AT&T is a great idea if you have the option to do so. They have a new streaming service, AT&T TV, which is a great alternative to DirecTV. It's faster and has more options so that you don't need to worry about kids getting antsy while their favorite shows are loading.

Searching for Providers

After you have a rough idea of when you need to start setting up internet in your new home, you'll need to look into the providers that cater to your area. This means doing your research to ensure that your specific needs are met by the provider that you select. Read on for some information on how to find the perfect internet provider to suit your lifestyle and needs!

Research Your Options

The first thing that you'll need to do when looking for an internet provider is to research the options that are out there to you. This can become a pretty overwhelming process when you have no assistance- after all, there are so many providers out there, and each one has its own unique features! Luckily, we're here to help, so we've compiled a short list of internet providers that you may be interested in using as well as the features that make each one of them unique.

• AT&T. We've already talked a bit about AT&T's new streaming service and why it's a great alternative to DirecTV, but there are many other features of AT&T internet that we have yet to brush on. It has some of the highest bandwidth and speed of all internet services on the market. Additionally, the customer service at AT&T is stellar- you'll always get an answer to your questions, and associates are more than happy to help you fix any connectivity issues you may face.
• Centurylink. Customer speeds will vary with this provider, and in many locations, you won't be able to choose the speed of internet you want. However, it's an inexpensive cable alternative that you may want to look into.
• Viasat. If you live outside a cable zone, Viasat is by far the best internet option for you. Rather than connecting to cable, Viasat is a satellite brand that specializes in delivering high-speed internet at a low price. There are also no monthly data caps on Viasat plans, which is an awesome feature for large families.
• Hughesnet. This brand is widely available to everyone in all areas of the nation, so for those of you who are moving out to a rural area it may be a good choice. It's a more expensive alternative than Viasat, but the connection is a bit faster. It does, however, have a monthly data cap, which can be annoying for bigger households.

Choose a Full Package

When choosing an internet service for your home, you can do yourself a huge favor by choosing a full bundle that includes internet, TV, and streaming services. Some packages even offer phone service and data, which is a great way to save on an additional phone bill! When you choose a bundle package, you'll only be paying one price for all the entertainment services that you and your family will use on a daily basis.

This not only means that you'll be saving money, but it also means that you won't need to worry about keeping track of and paying multiple bills. Life is busy and it's easy to get disorganized, especially when you're frantically moving items and unboxing your belongings during relocation. You won't need to worry about logging into many websites to pay your bills when you have a bundle- you'll simply only need to set a reminder and pay once.

The Speed You Need

When choosing an internet package, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the speed of internet that you need. If you have the luxury of living in a place where you can choose between various cable or satellite providers, you'll need to look into the bandwidth of the internet connection for each provider. You may also want to read reviews of other customers who have chosen different internet services to see which of them are happy (or unhappy) with the speed of their service.

If you have a larger family or you work from home/spend hours out of your day online, you're going to need a faster connection. This is also the case if you stream a lot of video or make many Skype calls. Consider these factors and be realistic about the connection speed that you require.

Stay Within Your Budget

However, staying within the budget you set is just as important as getting a high-speed connection. If you spend too much money on internet, you may find yourself under a lot of financial strain when paying the other bills you need in your new location. Until the bills come in for the first month of water, electricity, etc, you don't truly know how much these amenities are going to cost you in your new home.

That's why it's important that you stick to your budget when purchasing your first internet plan. If you decide that you have more money than you thought, awesome! You can change things around later. But don't strain yourself right away, especially when you have to deal with immediate moving costs.

Begin the Internet Installation Search Today

There are many factors that go into deciding when to begin setting up internet in your new home. From knowing your situation to considering your lifestyle to researching the providers that cater to your area, there's a lot to think about.

Now that you have an idea of when you need to begin internet installation while relocating, it's time to start researching some of the packages that you can buy. Click here to get more information on internet/TV bundles that you can choose from after moving to your new location. You can also call us at (888) 376-0763 to discuss internet packages with an expert. This is a great way to get help deciding on the right bundle for you.

Have a smooth move!