Gig-speed requirements

Is your internet "gigabit" ready? Customers with CenturyLink Fiber Internet may have bandwidth plans of up to 940 Mbps. With this much total speed, there are a few things you need to check to make sure you get the fastest speeds possible. Before you run a speed test or start troubleshooting your WiFi, go through this checklist first to cover the basic requirements.

Does your computer have the right specs?

Your computer needs to have a "Gig Ethernet" port. Other device specifications also affect how much speed it can transmit, including the operating system, processor, memory, and network adapter. Even the browser and the number of apps you have running can impact speed test results. 

Recommended computer specifications:

• Operating System: Windows 10 (64 bit) or Windows 11
• Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-3320M CPU @ 2.60GHz (4 CPUs)
• Memory: 16 GB or more
• Network adapter: 1 Gig or more

Do you have a fiber-ready modem?

Your gateway (modem/router) needs to be fast enough to handle these speeds. Here are some CenturyLink modems that are compatible with speeds of up to 940 Mbps:

• Actiontec C2300A
• Actiontec C3000A
• Adtran C424G
• Axon C4000 series
• Calix C844G
• Technicolor C1100T
  
• Zyxel C1100Z
• Zyxel C3000Z
• Zyxel C4000 series

Do you have the right kind of Ethernet cable?

You need a category 6 (CAT-6) cable or newer. The Ethernet cable has been evolving since 1985. As technology has changed, new categories of cables have been developed, each with greater speed capabilities. 

Is your WiFi up to standard?

Keep in mind that speed tests performed over a wireless connection don't reflect your full connection bandwidth. A wired connection is faster and more reliable in some cases, and should be considered with certain high-bandwidth devices when you have a gig-speed plan. Still, we all love our WiFi, so there are some things you can do to improve your wireless connection. 

You can get the fastest WiFi speeds possible by making sure your device and modem are both using the 802.11ac^* standard and are connected at 5 Ghz.

^*802.11ac has a theoretical speed of 1.3 Gbps. Real-world factors like interference and distance can reduce speeds dramatically.

Consider all your devices

When you have multiple devices using your high-speed internet, your bandwidth is shared across those devices. Be aware of all the things that can eat up your bandwidth: other computers, gaming and streaming systems, smart security cameras and doorbells, smart thermostats or other appliances, DVRs, smart TVs, VoIP digital phones, wireless printers, smartphones, tablets, and many more.