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7 Best DSL Modems For CenturyLink [Approved & Compatible]

If you receive your Internet service from Centurylink and need to replace the Modem, you will want to make sure the new modem is CenturyLink compatible. DSL stands for “digital subscriber line”, and a DSL modem allows you to connect computers to the Internet with a faster connection than dial-up, using a data subscription plan from a cable company. Though modems are often provided by the cable company, they can also be purchased from a third-party seller. This article will help you find the best DSL modems for CenturyLink.

What is the best DSL modem for CenturyLink?


Editor Pick: Motorola MD1600

How do I choose a DSL modem for Centurylink?


Built-in Router- One thing to consider when purchasing a modem is whether it has a built-in Router, or is just a modem. If you buy a modem/router combination, you will likely end up spending less than you would if you bought a modem and a separate router. It also saves you the trouble of having to set up two different devices. On the other hand, routers tend to have much more technological improvements than modems.

If you want special features in a router, it might not be worth it to buy a modem/router combination. It would be cheaper, in the long run, to have a dedicated modem and keep replacing the router than it would be to keep replacing a modem/router combination. So whether you want a modem with a built-in router or a modem by itself will be largely dependent on how fancy and up-to-date you want your router to be.

Speed Support- You need to look at what speeds are supported by the modem you are considering purchasing. You want the maximum speed supported by the modem to be equal to or greater than the speed of your subscription. It would be silly to pay more each month for fast speeds that you never reap the rewards of.

Service Compatibility- Of course, the modem you purchase will need to be compatible with CenturyLink. It also needs to be compatible with the particular type of service you have. The perfect modem would support ADSL, ADSL2+, VDSL2, and pair bonding. If you have a specific kind of service, such as fiber optic, for instance, be careful that you make sure it is supported. You wouldn’t want to spend money on a modem that doesn’t work.

Upgrade Compatibility- When purchasing a modem, you will want to make sure it isn’t out of date. What you want is for it to be compatible with all available upgrades, as well as future ones. Otherwise, you will have to buy a new modem in the event that your service provider comes out with an upgraded plan that offers faster service. Make sure the modem you buy is up-to-date and future compatible.

Usage- How much you plan to use the Internet makes a difference to what sort of modem you will need. How many devices do you plan to connect to the Internet? If you want to connect a lot of devices, you should make sure the modem has Ethernet connections rather than only USB ones. It also matters what you will be doing online. If most of what you do is casual browsing, you won’t have the same need for faster speeds as someone who does a lot of heavy gaming or video streaming.


7 Best DSL modems for Centurylink reviewed


1.Motorola MD1600 Router

This modem is compatible with CenturyLink and also comes with an AC1600 WiFi Gigabit router. Buying this modem will save you about $10 a month in rental fees from CenturyLink. This modem/router combination is certain to deliver fast Internet speeds to all your devices.

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Space Saving: This is one device that functions as both a modem and a router, so it saves a lot of space. If you hate having wires everywhere, you will be happy with this modem. Its design cuts down drastically on how many wires are needed. It works over your telephone wiring and is easy to install.

Speed and Ease of Use: This modem/router combination will give you Internet speeds of up to 100Mbps, though speeds are also affected by the speed of your Internet service. It comes with a setup wizard, making it fast and easy to install. It should be noted that this modem will not work if you have bonded ASDL, bonded VSDL, or vectoring, which are services that give you faster Internet speeds. For basic Internet, though, it is a good little modem.

Ports and Security Features: This Motorola modem comes with four Gigabit Ethernet ports and a USB 2.0 port, the latter of which supports DLNA media sharing. It has AC1600 Wireless as well as a firewall, WPA/WPA2 wireless security, support for IPv4 and IPv6, and VPN capability. It also comes with a 2-year warranty, and customer support is offered.

Advantage

  • It comes with a built-in router
  • It saves space and wires
  • It offers decent speeds
  • It has some neat security features
  • It comes with a 2-year warranty and customer support

Disadvantage

  • It doesn’t support bonded ASDL, bonded VSDL, or vectoring services
  • It can’t be controlled through an app

Summary: This modem has a built-in router with decent features at an excellent price. Buying it will save you from paying monthly modem rental fees to CenturyLink, and it has many positive reviews. It might be the right modem for you.

Check Motorola MD1600 now from Amazon!

2.CenturyLink Technicolor C1100T

This is a wireless gateway modem built for CenturyLink and it has a built-in router. It is easy to use and install and is designed to give you optimal wireless performance. It might be just the sort of thing you were looking for.

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Bandwidth Quality: This wireless gateway uses high-speed network technologies to give you consistent bandwidth, including Gigabit Ethernet and VDSL2. G.vector is also used to reduce crosstalk on the VDSL2 bands, and G.inp helps protect you from having errors. This combination of features will enhance the quality of the data you receive.

Ease of Use: This gateway is easy to install and easy to use. There are LEDs that let you see the startup sequence, operational status, and connectivity status. This information can also be viewed on web pages.

IPv6 Enabled: The Technicolor is built to be able to use IPv6, the latest Internet protocol version. This version is more secure and supports the expansion of the Internet. Technicolor intends to make the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 go smoothly for you.

Advantage

  • It has features to enhance bandwidth quality
  • It is easy to set up and use
  • It supports IPv6
  • The majority of the reviews are positive
  • It has a built-in router

Disadvantage

  • It is no longer the newest model of modem
  • There is a report of it not lasting very long

Summary: If you want a decent, basic CenturyLink modem that has a built-in router, this one might work for you.

Check CenturyLink Technicolor C1100T now from Amazon!

3.ZyXEL C1100Z For CenturyLink 

This device functions as both a modem and a router. It comes in the box never having been used before, and it comes with all the cables you will need plus an instruction manual. Built for use with CenturyLink, it may be exactly what you were looking for.

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Wireless Standard and Speed: This modem/router combination uses an 802.11 access point and offers speeds of up to 300Mbps. It has standards-based WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) to make it easy for you to set up and connect everything securely. It looks to be simple to use.

Easy Setup: This modem/router can be set up within five minutes and used right out of the box. You may need to contact CenturyLink in order to be sure that the modem is actually tied to your account. You may also need to find out what your phone number is in order to use it if you do not use a landline phone. CenturyLink provides installation instructions online, so setting up a new modem should be fairly straightforward.

Improved Model: This ZyXEL modem is designed to be an improvement upon the Technicolor C1100T. It is reported to have fewer errors than the Technicolor model. Additionally, it is a newer version of the ZyXEL C1000Z, and as such has a better signal and more consistent speeds than the older model.

Advantage

  • It offers decent speeds
  • It has WPS and security features
  • It is easy to set up
  • It is designed for use with CenturyLink
  • It is a new and improved model

Disadvantage

  • here have been reports of receiving a broken, previously used product that came with someone else’s password and was therefore unusable
  • Several people have said it doesn’t last very long

Summary: This modem is a newer and more improved ZyXEL model and isn’t too expensive for a modem/router combination. With its simple features and ease of use, it might be just what you need.

Check ZyXEL C1100Z now from Amazon!

4.CenturyLink C2100T Router

This is a modem and a router, all built into one device. It works for bonded VDSL connections as well as fiber connections, so if you are looking for a router to accommodate such a type of connection, this might be the thing you need.

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VDSL2 and Speed Features: The C2100T is based on VDSL2 standards, so you can have fast Internet speeds and enough bandwidth to effectively surf the web. If you are gaming or streaming, this modem/router combination will give you a faster, smoother experience. It comes with four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports plus a WAN port that can function as a LAN port. It uses 802.11n wireless technology and 2T x 2R antennas to give you improved speed and extended coverage.

Enhanced Security: This modem/router comes with both NAT and SPI Ethernet firewalls to block out any malicious content. It also has WPA/WPA2/WEP security that can be managed with a button. With these features, you will be able to easily enjoy a safe and secure network.

Service Features: CenturyLink provides remote provisioning, monitoring, and management features to increase customer satisfaction and reduce operational expenditure. This modem, built by CenturyLink, is able to support the new IPv6 protocol. If your Internet provider switches from IPv4 to IPv6, your modem may not be able to handle the new standard, so this is a good modem for that reason.

Advantage

  • It is made by CenturyLink, and buying it will help you avoid constantly paying rental fees
  • It offers fast Internet speed and extended coverage
  • It comes with some excellent security features
  • It has remote management features
  • It supports IPv6

Disadvantage

  • It is fairly expensive
  • Some people have reported the connection dropping after a while

Summary: If you want to buy your own modem to avoid rental fees, but want one built by CenturyLink, this one looks like a good option. Being a modem and a router at the same time, this device has good features and there is a good chance of it giving you what you need.

Check CenturyLink C2100T now from Amazon!

5.ZyXEL C3000Z For CenturyLink

Built for CenturyLink, this modem supports VDSL2 bonding. It is a combination modem and router that offers reliable Internet service. Bridge mode is supported, so if you want to use your own router, you can. It might be the CenturyLink modem you need.

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Data Rates: With VDSL2 bonding, this modem has 200Mbps/100Mbps down/up data rates. Bonding mode has 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 12a, 12b, and 17a profiles. Single line mode has all those as well as 30a and 35b profiles. The 5GHz band has a standard of 802.11ac and supports a data rate of 1.7Gbps. It is backward compatible with 802.11a/n.

VDSL Bonding: This modem supports VDSL2 bonding, which allows two VDSL2 lines to combine into a single connection, doubling the bit rate. This means you can have faster speeds, and if you are used to having this service already, you won’t have to give it up because of an inferior modem.

Other Features: This modem/router combination has a 4×4 antenna array and VPN pass-through URL blocking. It has four Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, plus a WAN port that doubles as a fifth LAN if you are using it in DSL mode. It supports vectoring, which offers a 150% increase in performance by reducing crosstalk.

Advantage

  • It comes with a built-in router
  • It supports VDSL2 bonding
  • It supports vectoring
  • It has decently fast date speeds
  • It is made by CenturyLink, so compatibility is not an issue

Disadvantage

  • It only works with a bonded DSL connection. If you do not have a bonded connection, it will not work
  • There have been a few reports of it being unreliable

Summary: This modem is designed for CenturyLink services and has some good features. If you are looking for a modem that specifically supports bonding and vectoring, this could be a choice option.

Check ZyXEL C3000Z now from Amazon!

6.ActionTec C1000A Router

This modem has a built-in router. It is compatible with CenturyLink and the router component is very robust. With a lot of excellent features, it might be a good model for you.

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Fast Speed and Great Range: This modem/router combination offers good speeds and is reported to have an excellent range. According to CenturyLink, it is one of the best modems. It uses Gigabit Ethernet and a wireless standard of 802.11n.

Memory: This device has a dual core 32-bit processor, whereas most routers use a 32-bit single core processor. It has 64MB of Flash memory and 64MB of RAM. Most routers only have 4MB of Flash and 8MB of RAM, so this router will offer excellent performance with multimedia applications.

Security and Remote Management: This modem/router combination uses WPA, WEP, and WPA2 encryption to give you a secure experience. It offers TR-069 Remote Management support so you can easily manage and troubleshoot any issues that arise with the device.

Advantage

  • It functions as both a modem and router
  • It offers nice, quick speeds and a good range
  • It has a dual core processor and lots of memory
  • It uses WPA, WEP, and WPA2 encryption for added security
  • It is recommended by CenturyLink

Disadvantage

  • There have been lots of reports of it not working or otherwise being unusable, possibly from being purchased used
  • It overheats easily

Summary: This modem has a lot of positive features and comes recommended by CenturyLink. It could be a good option for you.

Check ActionTec C1000A Router now from Amazon!

7.CenturyLink ZyXEL PK5001z

This is a DSL modem for use with CenturyLink Internet service. It has good security and management features as well as increased speeds and extended coverage. It might be the perfect modem for you.

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Easy Setup and Encryption: This modem can be set up with the push of a button, as it features a hardware WPS button. It also supports WPA/WPA2/WEP encryption for added security.

Firewalls: This ZyXEL modem comes with dual Ethernet NAT and SPI firewalls, allowing it to find and manage content and applications that might be malicious. Security is needed, and this modem offers plenty of it.

Data Speed: This modem offers data speeds of up to 300Mbps and a stable, reliable connection. Your data will be delivered at high speeds for an optimal multimedia experience.

Advantage

  • It is easy to set up
  • It is built for CenturyLink, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility
  • It offers encryption and firewalls for added security
  • It gives you decently fast data speeds
  • If you buy it, you can avoid paying rental fees

Disadvantage

  • There have been a fair amount of reports of receiving a nonfunctional unit
  • According to several people, it is not the best modem

Summary: This modem has decent speeds and good security features. If you are looking to purchase a DSL modem for CenturyLink, this option seems as good as anything else.

Check ZyXEL PK5001z now from Amazon!

The Final Words (Summary)


There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a DSL modem for CenturyLink. You have to make sure the modem is compatible with CenturyLink, compatible with your specific type of service plan, and compatible with the router you want to use. You have to decide whether you want a modem with a built-in router or a separate modem and router. And after all that, you still have to go to all the effort of finding a good product. Hopefully, now that you have read this article, you know more than you did before. You are now well along your way to finding the best DSL modems for CenturyLink.

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This post first appeared on Top PC Tech, please read the originial post: here

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7 Best DSL Modems For CenturyLink [Approved & Compatible]

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