Brightspeed
The former CenturyLink copper territory, now owned by Apollo and rebuilt in fiber: symmetrical plans to 2 Gig with a Wi-Fi 7 router on every fiber plan.
Brightspeed plans at a glance
Our verdict
Brightspeed took over CenturyLink's local phone and internet business in 20 states when Apollo Global Management bought it from Lumen in 2022, and it has been building fiber across the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic since.
Fiber plans run 200 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gig and 2 Gig, all symmetrical, with 8 Gig in select locations. Prices start at $29.99/mo with AutoPay, locked for 12 months, and every fiber plan includes a Wi-Fi 7 router with no annual contract.
The short price lock is the weak spot next to Frontier's 4 to 5 years. Where Brightspeed hasn't built fiber, you're on DSL that tops out around 20 Mbps, which is worth avoiding if 5G home internet or Starlink is available.
Already have Brightspeed? Run our free speed test on a wired computer to see whether you get the speed you pay for, and see which speed test to use if results don't match. See our DSL speed test guide.
Ownership changed recently? See who owns every internet provider.
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.
Frequently asked
Is Brightspeed the same as CenturyLink?
Brightspeed is the company that bought CenturyLink's local copper and fiber networks in 20 states from Lumen. It's owned by Apollo Global Management. CenturyLink's other fiber areas became Quantum Fiber, now owned by AT&T.
How much does Brightspeed cost?
Fiber starts at $29.99/mo with AutoPay, with the price locked for 12 months. Taxes and fees are extra, and exact plan prices depend on your address.
Is Brightspeed fiber or DSL?
Both. Fiber plans run 200 Mbps to 2 Gig. In areas without fiber, Brightspeed still sells DSL at up to about 20 Mbps.
Does Brightspeed have data caps?
No. Brightspeed fiber and DSL include unlimited data.
How fast is Brightspeed fiber?
200 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gig (940/940) and 2 Gig, all symmetrical, with 8 Gig in select locations.
About Brightspeed
Brightspeed was formed in 2022 when Apollo bought CenturyLink's local networks in 20 states. It is replacing copper DSL with fiber in many areas; where fiber hasn't reached, service is still DSL.
Brightspeed coverage by state
City-by-city coverage from FCC records in the 4 states where Brightspeed reaches the most homes.
Sources
- Plan pages and Broadband Facts labels from Kinetic, Frontier Fiber, AT&T Fiber, Brightspeed, checked Oct 2026
- Company press releases and regulatory filings on the ownership changes mentioned
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
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