CenturyLink Landline Phones for Seniors: a 2024 Review
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June 17, 2024
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CenturyLink is a reputable provider of phone and internet service. It currently offers a single landline for users who want a traditional home phone, including a primary phone number and features such as caller ID and call waiting. The company also offers a bundled option for home phone and CenturyLink internet.
The landline seems expensive at $50 per month, but we like CenturyLink’s no-nonsense approach to its plan, with few hidden fees and no long-term contracts. It also features unlimited long-distance calling, which many plans do not. If you’re in CenturyLink’s service area, consider it a viable option for a reliable landline — especially if you bundle it with DirecTV or CenturyLink internet.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite phone services for seniors, read our guides to the best senior phone plans and best landline phone plans.
CenturyLink Landline Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited calling: Unlike some providers, CenturyLink’s landline offers unlimited calling for both local and long-distance on its home phone plan.
- Large network: CenturyLink’s network serves 36 states, so it has an extensive range of in-person retailers and customer service representatives across the nation.
- Bundling option: To save money, CenturyLink offers users the chance to bundle their home phone plan with internet service.
Cons
- Lack of options: CenturyLink offers only a single landline plan plus a bundling option, so there isn’t room to customize your service.
- Price: At $50 per month, CenturyLink’s stand-alone landline plan is not the cheapest on the market.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite internet providers, read our guide to the best internet for seniors.
CenturyLink Landline Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Features |
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| Home Phone Unlimited | $50 |
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| Home Phone + Internet Bundle | $90 |
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CenturyLink Landline Plan for Seniors
CenturyLink does not offer a plan specifically for older adults, but its Home Phone Unlimited plan has no age restrictions and would be the best plan for seniors looking for a stand-alone landline.
The network offers several discounts for eligible customers, including:
- The Affordable Connectivity Program offers federal assistance for low-income households, discounting the cost of internet service by as much as $30 per month.
- Lifeline offers discounts of up to $9.25 per month to people on federally recognized aid programs for broadband service or packages.
- The Telephone Assistance Program offers state-level assistance for low-income homes to afford internet plans. Check your state’s guidelines to see if you qualify.
Even when these programs apply only to internet service, they may in some cases be applied to the CenturyLink Home Phone + Internet bundle. Check your state’s guidelines and the eligibility requirements of each program to learn if you qualify for a discounted plan through CenturyLink.
How to Purchase CenturyLink
CenturyLink has a huge network that serves customers in 36 states, so you have options when it comes to purchasing your plan. The company has retailers in many major cities, so you can use its store locator to find a location if you’re more comfortable buying a plan in person.
Otherwise, the website gives you access to CenturyLink’s home phone plan and bundle. On Centurylinkquote.com, click “Services” at the top, and then select “Home phone.” It will take you to a page that explains the price and features of the landline. From there, you have three options: You can call the listed number to order the plan, order online by creating a CenturyLink account, or chat with a service representative using the site’s chat function.
We could only find the home phone plan on Centurylinkquote.com. On Centurylink.com, which is the company’s main portal, we could find only the bundle and the $50 internet-only plan. This confusion is a good reason to call or visit a brick-and-mortar location to make sure you get the right plan.
CenturyLink does not sell phone hardware, so you will need your own phone. It only sells plans.
CenturyLink Landline Pricing
CenturyLink’s home phone plan costs $50 per month. Bundled with an internet plan, it costs $90 per month. One thing we love about CenturyLink is that it offers unlimited local and long-distance calls, so you never have to worry about overages.
There are a few extra fees to be aware of, but they won’t apply to everyone. CenturyLink normally installs its landline for free. Your house will need a phone jack, however, and CenturyLink charges $99 to install one if your house doesn’t already have one. We were impressed that installation is free otherwise.
If you need an internet modem to connect your house to the internet as part of your bundle, you can buy it through CenturyLink for either a one-time fee of $200 or $15 per month. We strongly recommend purchasing a compatible modem rather than renting one.
Finally, late fees for payments, which can be done online, over the phone, or at some participating Western Union locations, vary among states. The average fee for missed payments, however, is around $30.
CenturyLink Landline vs. Verizon Landline
Both CenturyLink and Verizon offer no-contract plans for landlines with no price increases. The major difference between them is that CenturyLink offers unlimited long-distance calls for no extra charge, while Verizon’s landline plan does not support long-distance calling and must be upgraded or bundled.
The value of these plans depends on which services you plan to bundle with them, as well as your projected costs for long-distance calling each month.
| CenturyLink Landline | Verizon Landline | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $50 | $30 |
| Price increases | No | No |
| Contract requirement | No | No |
| Long-distance calls | Unlimited | Not included |
Bottom Line
With no long-term contracts, no hidden fees beyond equipment costs, and a single landline plan that includes both unlimited local and long-distance calling, CenturyLink is a viable option for people looking for a primary home phone. Especially if you want to bundle DirecTV or CenturyLink internet with your home phone, you may be able to save money by bundling multiple CenturyLink services into one monthly bill.
With only one plan available — which is by no means the cheapest landline available — CenturyLink will not be a perfect fit for everyone. Call or contact CenturyLink’s in-person retailers to find out if the provider’s landline is right for you, and check your eligibility for multiple discount programs.
CenturyLink Frequently Asked Questions
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Does CenturyLink still offer landline service?
CenturyLink offers a single landline plan, which is available in many states. It can be bundled with internet service.
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Is CenturyLink’s landline service reliable?
CenturyLink is a large communications network that serves 36 states and partners with DirecTV for TV service. It is a reliable internet and phone provider.
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Which is more expensive: CenturyLink landline or cellular?
CenturyLink does not offer a cellular phone plan.