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What modems are compatible with CenturyLink?

CenturyLink high-speed internet uses its own technology, and your modem needs to be compatible. If you aren’t using the right modem, you may not get the best possible internet speeds.

All of the modems listed in the table below are compatible with the our network and supported by CenturyLink. However, if you're looking for a new modem to use with CenturyLink service, we recommend these five newest models:

  • Actiontec C3000A 
  • Greenwave C4000XG 
  • Technicolor C1100T 
  • Zyxel C1100Z
  • Zyxel C3000Z

FInd answers to some of the most common modem questions and answers below the table.

Testing modems for CenturyLink compatibility

We test all of our certified modems to make sure they perform as expected. Each of the CenturyLink-approved modems below has been tested for technology compatibility (ADSL, ADSL2+, VDSL2, GPON and Pair Bonding), real-world maximum speed, and IPv6 compatibility.

CenturyLink compatible modems

Make/Model ADSL A ADSL2+ A VDSL2 A GPON A Bonded A Ports Features
Actiontec C1000A 7 Mbps 20 Mbps
 80 Mbps
 N/A
 N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Actiontec C1000A-D 7 Mbps 20 Mbps
 80 Mbps
 N/A N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Actiontec C1900A 7 Mbps 20 Mbps 80 Mbps 1 Gbps ADSL2+: 25 Mbps
VDSL2: 100 Mbps
 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Actiontec C2000A N/A N/A 80 Mbps 800 Mbps ADSL2+: 25Mbps
VDSL2: 100Mbps
 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Actiontec C2000A-D N/A N/A 80 Mbps 1 Gbps ADSL2+: 25Mbps
VDSL2: 100Mbps
 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Actiontec C2300A
 TBD TBD
 100 Mpbs
200 Mbps Vectoring		 1 Gbps ADSL2+: 25Mbps
VDSL2: 200MbpsC
 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5 GHz n/ac, Vectoring, CBRAS
Actiontec C3000A 20 Mbps 20 Mbps 100 Mpbs 1 Gbps ADSL2: 40Mbps
VDSL: 200Mbps		 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port		 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5 GHz n/ac
Actiontec PK5000 7 Mbps 20 Mbps
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 100 Mbps Eth (4)
 2.4 GHz b/g
Actiontec PK5001A
 7 Mbps
 20 Mbps
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A 100 Mbps Eth (4)
 IPv6, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Actiontec Q1000
 7 Mbps
 20 Mbps
 40 Mbps
 N/A
 N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port
 IPv6, VectoringB, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Actiontec Q2000
 N/A N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 ADSL2+: 20 Mbps
VDSL2: 40 Mbps
 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Adtran C424G N/A N/A
 N/A 1 Gbps N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 CenturyLink ON, IPv6, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5GHz n/ac
Calix C844G N/A N/A
 N/A 1 Gbps N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port		 CenturyLink ON, IPv6, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5GHz n/ac
Cisco 2200DDR N/A 10 Mbps N/A
 40 Mbps ADSL2+: 25 Mbps 100 Mbps Eth (4) Prism TV, 2.4 GHz b/g
D-Link 850L N/A N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A Gig Eth (4)  
 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5 Ghz n/ac
Greenwave C4000XG* N/A N/A N/A 1 Gbps N/A Gig Eth (5), USB Host Port IPv6, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5 GHz n/ac/ax, CBRAS
Technicolor C1100T 7 Mbps 20 Mbps 80 Mbps 1 Gbps N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, CBRAS
Technicolor C2000T
 7 Mbps 20 Mbps 80 Mbps 1 Gbps ADSL2+: 25 Mbps
VDSL2: 100 Mbps
 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Prism TV, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Technicolor C2100T
 7 Mbps
 20 Mbps 80 Mbps 1 Gbps ADSL2+: 25 Mbps
VDSL2: 100 Mbps		 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Prism TV, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5 GHz n/ac, Vectoring, CBRAS
Westell 7500 6 Mbps 10 Mbps  N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 Eth (4) 2.4 GHz b/g
Zyxel C1000Z
 7 Mbps 20 Mbps
 80 Mbps
 N/A
 N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 		 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, CBRAS
Zyxel C1100Z
 7 Mbps 20 Mbps
 80 Mbps
 1 Gbps N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 		 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, CBRAS
Zyxel C2100Z
 7 Mbps 20 Mbps 80 Mbps 1 Gbps ADSL2+: 25 Mbps
VDSL2: 100 Mbps		 Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5 GHz n/ac, Vectoring, CBRAS, Prism TV
Zyxel C3000Z
 N/A N/A 80 Mbps 1 Gbps VDSL2: 100 Mbps Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, Vectoring, 2.4 GHz b/g/n, 5 GHz n/ac, Vectoring, CBRAS
Zyxel FR1000Z
 N/A N/A N/A 500 Mbps N/A Gig Eth (4)  
USB Host Port C
 IPv6, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Zyxel PK5000Z 7 Mbps 20 Mbps
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 1000 Mbps Eth (4)
 2.4 GHz b/g
Zyxel PK5001Z
 7 Mbps
 20 Mbps     N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 100 Mbps Eth (4)  
USB Host Port 
 IPv6, 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Zyxel Q1000Z
 7 Mbps
 20 Mbps 40 Mbps N/A N/A 100 Mbps Eth (4) 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Zyxel NGB-419N
 N/A     N/A
 N/A
 40 Mbps N/A
 Eth (4) 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Zyxel P-870N
 N/A     N/A
 N/A
 50 Mbps N/A
 Eth (4) 2.4 GHz b/g/n
Zyxel Q100
 N/A N/A 40 Mbps N/A N/A 100 Mbps Eth (1) N/A
3rd party modems - - - - - - -
  How to locate the make/model number on your modem
Can't find your modem? Check our list of retired models

"N/A" means the modem has not been tested or did not pass testing on a particular technology. CenturyLink highly recommends using a modem that has been tested and approved to work with your internet service. All other modems not included on this list are not supported by CenturyLink Technical Support. 

Table notes

A  These are the max speeds the technology can accomodate. Speeds may differ based on other factors.
B  Some features/ports are for future use
C  Speed acheived using Vectoring
* Not compatible with G.Hn WiFi Extender auto-cloning

CenturyLink modem questions

Still have questions about CenturyLink modems? See our frequently asked questions below.  

What is the best modem for CenturyLink DSL service? 

For optimal performance, we recommend using one of these modems for CenturyLink DSL internet service:

  • Actiontec C3000A
  • Zyxel C1100Z
  • Zyxel C3000Z
  • Technicolor C1100T

What is the best modem for CenturyLink Fiber Internet?

The preferred models for CenturyLink Fiber are the Greenwave C4000XG and the Zyxel C3000Z.

Can I use my own router/modem with CenturyLink service?

When you order online, you will see a note during the order process if bringing your own modem is an option. However, if you have CenturyLink internet service, you will get the best experience and performance by using certified CenturyLink equipment. Why? Our modem/router combo equipment is tested and guaranteed to be optimized for maximum performance, is easy to set up, and come with free 24/7 tech support. You can purchase or lease a compatible modem from CenturyLink to use with your service.

What's the difference between a modem and a router? Do I need to have both?

A modem is the equipment needed to bring internet service into your home over a wired connection (meaning you would plug your computer into the modem directly). A router is what allows you to access that internet connection through WiFi. So most customers do need a router in order to access their connection from all of their wireless devices. 

The good news is that the equipment provided by CenturyLink is a combination modem/router in one easy-to-use unit (we also refer to this unit as a "residential gateway"). 

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