Lumen
Tier-1 backbone, broad national fiber footprint, aggressive channel pricing. Our default recommendation in most markets.
Who they are
Lumen Technologies (formerly CenturyLink) operates one of the largest fiber networks in the US and runs a Tier-1 backbone with extensive global peering. They sell DIA fiber, MPLS, SD-WAN, voice, and managed services to businesses of every size. The brand was rebranded from CenturyLink in 2020 to focus on the enterprise/business market.
Product lineup
Lumen Fiber Internet (DIA, symmetrical 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps), Dynamic Connections (cloud on-ramps), MPLS IP-VPN, SD-WAN solutions, Hosted UCaaS via partners, and managed security. For most SMB and mid-market customers we route to their Fiber Internet product on 36-month terms with channel pricing.
Live Lumen pricing in our markets
Real channel rates from current rate cards. Final pricing always verified before signature.
| Market | Product | Speed | MRC | SLA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | Lumen Fiber Internet 500/500 | 500/500 Mbps | $449/mo | 99.99% |
| Austin, TX | Lumen Fiber Internet 1G/1G | 1000/1000 Mbps | $749/mo | 99.99% |
| Chicago, IL | Lumen Fiber Internet 500/500 | 500/500 Mbps | $479/mo | 99.99% |
| Denver, CO | Lumen Fiber Internet 1G/1G | 1000/1000 Mbps | $689/mo | 99.99% |
Lowest MRC shown: $449/mo for Lumen Fiber Internet 500/500 in Austin, TX. Source: Lumen channel rate card (April 2026).
Best for
- ✓ Businesses needing dedicated fiber with a real 99.99% SLA
- ✓ Multi-site operations using MPLS or SD-WAN
- ✓ Anyone in a Lumen-strong market (West/Mountain/major metros nationwide)
- ✓ Cost-sensitive buyers — channel pricing typically beats AT&T by $50-150/mo at the same speed tier
- ✓ Operations needing fast install (Lumen often has fiber already at the building)
Watch-outs
- ⚠ Coverage gaps in some Southeast markets where AT&T has overbuilt
- ⚠ Construction quotes can be high if fiber doesn't already reach your building (always confirm on-net vs near-net)
- ⚠ Direct sales pricing is much higher than channel — never buy direct without comparing
How we get channel pricing on Lumen
Lumen's channel program is generous. Free install promotions are frequent (typically waiving $1,200 install fees). SPIFFs and special market pricing are common in their home markets like Denver. We typically beat their direct rates by 15-25%.
Get a real Lumen quote for your address
Tell Byte your address and we'll pull live Lumen pricing along with anything else available at your location.
FAQ
Is Lumen the same as CenturyLink?
Yes — Lumen Technologies is the rebrand of CenturyLink, completed in 2020. The business focus is on fiber, networking, and managed services. Residential CenturyLink is now Quantum Fiber.
How does Lumen's SLA compare to AT&T?
Both offer 99.99% uptime SLAs with 4-hour repair commitments on DIA fiber. The SLAs are functionally equivalent. Differences in real-world performance vary by market.
What about Lumen's downsides?
Lumen has had brand instability post-rebrand and some markets where their fiber network hasn't been refreshed. Always confirm building-level fiber readiness before committing to install timelines.
Can I use Lumen for SD-WAN?
Yes — Lumen sells managed SD-WAN solutions, but you can also bring Lumen DIA circuits to a third-party SD-WAN vendor (Fortinet, Cato, etc.) for more flexibility. We typically recommend the latter for businesses already standardized on a security/networking vendor.