One major part of monthly internet charges is usually the equipment cost. This can be anywhere from $5 to $15 if you lease the equipment. If you don’t like to add this cost to your monthly charges, some service providers also offer the option of purchasing the equipment with an upfront charge.
While this is also a good option, it doesn’t work for everyone. That is why some service providers also allow users to bring their equipment instead of leasing or purchasing it.
However, for CenturyLink customers, this has always been a mystery. They are often found wondering about whether they can bring their modem with CenturyLink or not. In this article, we will address this issue and provide details about the modems that CenturyLink recommends for the best performance.
Can I Bring My Own Modem With CenturyLink Service?
Bringing your own modem is an option with the CenturyLink internet services but it depends upon the plan and the speed that is available at your address. Moreover, if there is an option for you to use your modem, you will see the option of doing so while signing up.
Most of the time, CenturyLink recommends users to use the modem that comes from CenturyLink and is a part of CenturyLink’s recommended modems list. That is because these modems are tested by CenturyLink and are approved to work with CenturyLink internet technology.
CenturyLink also offers the modem/router combo for its users called “Gateway”. That is an all-in-one device, which offers the functionality of both modem and router. As a result, users can connect devices wirelessly or with the Ethernet cable, without using any additional equipment.
Modem/ Router Gateways Offered by CenturyLink
Currently, CenturyLink offers three gateway devices for its customers. These gateways include:
- Actiontec C3000A
Supports both DSL and Fiber internet with a download speed of up to 940 Mbps. This gateway supports SSID 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and works great with every speed option available in your area.
- Greenwave C4000 XG/LG
Greenwave C4000 XG is a fiber (GPON) only modem and works if the download speed of up to 940 Mbps is available at your address. On the other hand, Greenwave C4000 XG supports a DSL speed of up to 100 Mbps along with a fiber download speed of up to 940 Mbps.
- Zyxel C3000Z
Zyxel C3000Z supports both DSL and fiber. However, it only supports DSL speeds of up to 40 Mbps while it is good to go for fiber.
The modem/router gateway that you will receive from CenturyLink along with your services will depend on the type of connection and speed that is available at your address. You don’t have the option to choose it as CenturyLink automatically determines the most compatible modem and adds it to your order.
List of Modems that Work with CenturyLink Internet?
If you were previously a customer with CenturyLink and have a modem that you think might still work, you can crosscheck it with the list here. This list includes the up to date information about the compatible modems with CenturyLink.
| Technology: DSL MAX Tested Speeds | Technology: Fiber MAX Tested Speed | |||
| Model | ADSL | ADSL2+ | VDSL2 | GPON |
| Greenwave C4000BG | 40 Mbps pair-bonded | 40 Mbps pair-bonded | 140 Mbps pair-bonded | N/A |
| Greenwave C4000LG | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 940 Mbps |
| Greenwave C4000XG | N/A | N/A | N/A | 940 Mbps |
| Actiontec C1000A | 7 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 80 Mbps | N/A |
| Actiontec C1900A | 7 Mbps | 20 Mbps (40 Mbps pair-bonded) | 40 Mbps (100 Mbps bonded) | 940 Mbps |
| Actiontec C2000A | 20 Mbps | 20 Mpbs (40 Mbps bonded) | 40 Mbps (100 Mbps pair-bonded) | 940 Mbps |
| Actiontec C2300A | N/A | 25 Mbps bonded | 100 Mpbs (200 Mbps pair-bonded) | 940 Mbps |
| Actiontec C3000A | 20 Mbps | 25 Mbps (40 Mbps pair-bonded) | 100 Mpbs (200 Mbps pair-bonded) | 940 Mbps |
| Actiontec PK5000 | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps | N/A | N/A |
| Actiontec PK5001A | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps | N/A | N/A |
| Actiontec Q1000 | 7 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 40 Mbps | N/A |
| Technicolor C1100T | 7 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 40 Mbps | 940 Mbps |
| Technicolor C2000T | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps (40 Mbps pair-bonded) | 40 Mbps (100 Mbps pair-bonded) | 940 Gbps |
| Technicolor C2100T | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps (40 Mbps pair-bonded) | 40 Mbps (100 Mbps pair-bonded) | 940 Gbps |
| Adtran C424G | N/A | N/A | N/A | 940 Mbps |
| Calix C844G | N/A | N/A | N/A | 940 Mbps |
| Cisco 2200DDR | N/A | 25 Mbps pair-bonded | N/A | 100 Mbps |
| Westell 7500 | 6 Mbps | 10 Mbps | N/A | N/A |
| Zyxel C1000Z | 7 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 40 Mbps | N/A |
| Zyxel C1100Z | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 100 Mbps | 940 Mbps |
| Zyxel C2100Z | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps (40 Mbps pair-bonded) | 40 Mbps (100 Mbps pair-bonded) | 940 Mbps |
| Zyxel C3000Z | 40 Mbps | 40 Mbps | 80 Mbps (100 Mbps pair-bonded) | 940 Mbps |
| Zyxel FR1000Z | N/A | N/A | N/A | 500 Mbps |
| Zyxel PK5000Z | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps | N/A | N/A |
| Zyxel PK5001Z | 20 Mbps | 20 Mbps | N/A | N/A |
| Zyxel Q1000Z | 7 Mbps | 20 Mbps | 40 Mbps | N/A |
If you are not able to find your modem on this list, that probably means it has expired and no longer supports the CenturyLink internet technology. In such a situation, contact CenturyLink and request a new modem for your internet connection.