Quantum Fiber vs. Viasat Internet Providers Compared

Quantum Fiber brings superior internet speeds and reliability at an appealing price.

Quantum Fiber is a fiber-optic network under the parent company Lumen Technologies, which also operates CenturyLink’s DSL-based service. According to data from December 2024, the Federal Communications Commission states that Quantum Fiber is available to just over 2.2% of U.S. households, making it one of the largest fiber-optic networks in the United States [1]. The service operates in 18 states, as well as a number of cities, with the strongest coverage in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah, and Washington [2]. In May 2025, AT&T announced plans to acquire Quantum Fiber's parent operations for nearly $6 billion—the transaction is expected to close in 2026 [3]. AT&T has indicated no immediate changes are planned, and they will continue to "prioritize putting customers first" following the acquisition. The sale ultimately resulted in Lumen reporting $915 million in losses for Q2 2025, with Lumen attributing losses to the accounting changes, and "not from money actually spent" [4]. Quantum Fiber delivers symmetrical fiber-optic speeds ranging from 500 Mbps to 8,000 Mbps in select markets, with no data caps or contract requirements. The service stands out for its "Price for Life" guarantee, which locks in your monthly rate permanently—a significant advantage in an industry where 63% of customers reported price increases in the past year [5].

Great prices and a Price-for-Life Guarantee.

Quantum Fiber offers straightforward pricing that includes an autopay discount. Monthly costs are approximately $5 higher if you don't enroll in automatic payments. In most markets, the two primary plans available are the 500 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps (1 Gig) tiers. Multi-gigabit options—including 3 Gig and 8 Gig plans—are available in select areas. A handful of markets, including Ocala and Orlando, Florida, as well as Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, offer a budget-friendly 200 Mbps plan for $45 monthly [6].

Plan	Download Speed	Upload Speed	Monthly Price
Up to 500 Mbps	500 Mbps	500 Mbps	$50
Up to 940 Mbps	940 Mbps	940 Mbps	$75
Up to 3 Gbps	3,000 Mbps	3,000 Mbps	$100
Up to 8 Gbps	8,000 Mbps	8,000 Mbps**	$165

*Pricing varies by market **Note: The 8 Gig plan offers asymmetrical speeds with upload capped at 3,000 Mbps  All plans include free equipment rental during an initial period, unlimited data, and no contracts [7].

Value Analysis

When evaluating internet plans, the cost per megabit provides insight into true value. Quantum Fiber's entry-level 500 Mbps plan at $50 monthly translates to 10 cents per Mbps—a competitive rate for fiber service. This pricing structure positions Quantum Fiber favorably against cable providers that may advertise lower starting prices, but dramatically increase rates after promotional periods expire.

Fees and the Price-for-Life Guarantee

Quantum Fiber’s "Price for Life" guarantee permanently locks in your plan rate, which is a fantastic deal. Unlike most cable internet providers that raise prices after the promotional period of one or two years, Quantum Fiber maintains your original rate indefinitely. If you sign up for the 500 Mbps plan at $50 a month, that rate remains frozen even if the same plan later costs new customers $65. This guarantee applies specifically to your base service rate. Three potential cost increases are still possible:

1. Equipment rental fees: Quantum Fiber provides free equipment during an "initial period," but this timeframe is not clearly defined. After this period ends, rental fees may apply. You can drop these fees altogether by using your own compatible router.
2. Installation costs: Professional installation is currently free, though Quantum Fiber states this "could change in the future," and additional products or services might incur extra installation costs.
3. Taxes and miscellaneous fees: Local and state taxes or regulatory fees may increase over time, independent of Quantum Fiber's control.

No Data Caps or Contracts

All Quantum Fiber plans include unlimited data, allowing unrestricted internet use within the acceptable use policy without overage fees or speed throttling. The absence of contracts means you can cancel or modify service anytime without early termination fees.

Viasat offers a variety of price points and speeds to fit your budget

Viasat offers higher speeds than its longtime competitor, HughesNet. While HughesNet only offers download speeds up to 100 Mbps, Viasat offers download speeds up to 150 Mbps in select areas. For the first-tier Viasat internet plan, you will pay an introductory price of about $49.99/month. These Viasat internet plan prices are slightly higher than HughesNet prices and cheaper than Starlink prices. You will get value for your money, because Viasat features unlimited allowances for monthly high-speed data. If you rely on using a lot of high-speed data, Viasat is the clear choice. Avid streamers or remote workers will benefit greatly from the simplicity of these plans. Be aware that like HughesNet, Viasat requires a two-year contract. If you cancel early, you will pay an early termination fee. You can get a no-contract plan for a non-refundable upfront payment which may work out to be more or less than a cancellation fee.

Symmetrical upload and download speeds and superior reliability during peak usage times.

Quantum Fiber utilizes fiber-optic technology, which provides two key advantages over cable and DSL: symmetrical upload and download speeds, and superior reliability during peak usage times. Symmetrical speeds mean your upload capacity matches your download speed. On the 500 Mbps plan, for instance, you receive 500 Mbps in both directions. This proves valuable for video conferencing, uploading large files, livestreaming, and cloud backups—activities that require only modest upload speeds (typically 10 Mbps or less) but benefit from having bandwidth headroom available.

Fiber-to-the-Home vs. Fiber-to-the-Curb

In most installations, Quantum Fiber deploys Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), where fiber-optic cable runs directly to your residence. This provides the fastest possible speeds with full symmetrical performance. However, in some cases, Quantum Fiber may install Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC), where the final connection to your home uses coaxial cable. Even a short coaxial cable segment will reduce upload speeds compared to pure fiber. If you receive an FTTC connection, your download speeds may remain at advertised levels, but uploads will be slower than the symmetrical speeds typical of FTTH. Before installation, confirm which connection type your location will receive.

Performance Capacity

A gigabit fiber plan from Quantum Fiber supports about 10 devices at once, engaging in high-bandwidth activities (like 4K streaming and online gaming) while maintaining a smooth performance. The combination of low latency, high bandwidth, and consistent speeds makes fiber particularly well-suited for households with multiple heavy internet users.

Viasat delivers fast, reliable internet with ever-improving technology

You’ll get a solid, reliable internet connection from Viasat. Keep in mind that the military uses satellite internet for their operations. That’s because satellite internet survives in circumstances when cable or fiber internet might be out for days or weeks. Satellite internet can’t be harmed by an earthly accident, a weather catastrophe, or an attack on wired infrastructure. So in that sense, satellite internet is more reliable than wired internet. That’s why Viasat offers special “backup internet” plans for small businesses to minimize service disruption from outages. It’s true that heavy rain or snow can sometimes cause “rain fade,” which is a weakening or interruption in the satellite internet signal. But rain fade is only temporary. The one caveat about your Viasat internet speed is that your maximum speed will vary depending on where you live. Your plan options can vary from 25 Mbps to 150 Mbps download speed. That’s a wide range, but your speed will be better than DSL in many instances. Upload speeds from Viasat will remain consistent for all plans but much lower than the maximum download speeds. This asymmetry in upload and download speeds is typical for satellite internet, but will still allow most normal activities on the internet.

Get free use of a  360 Wi-Fi mesh router or use your own router

Quantum Fiber provides its 360 Wi-Fi equipment at no additional cost during an initial period. This system includes a SmartNID ONT device and up to four mesh Wi-Fi pods. The number of Wi-Fi pods will be determined by your installation technician based on your home's size. Most equipment has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, but Wi-Fi 7 is available in select areas. The mesh network architecture offers better coverage than traditional single-router setups. This is beneficial for larger homes or properties with thick walls that impede wireless signals. The 360 Wi-Fi system creates whole-home connectivity by placing pods throughout your space, eliminating dead zones and ensuring seamless handoff as you move between areas. This setup supports the high device counts and bandwidth demands typical of modern households.

Professional Installation

Quantum Fiber currently provides free professional installation. The company has noted this "could change in the future," and customers requiring additional products or services may incur extra installation costs. Professional installation ensures proper fiber-optic connection, optimal equipment placement for your home's layout, and immediate resolution of any technical issues. The installation process:

• Running fiber-optic cable to your home (FTTH) or to the curb (FTTC)
• Installing the SmartNID ONT
• Positioning mesh Wi-Fi pods throughout the home
• Testing connection speeds and performance
• Explaining system features and troubleshooting resources

Viasat equipment: buy upfront or take option of monthly rental fee

If you want to buy your Viasat dish and modem/router upfront, it will cost you around $300. That will save you some money if you don’t have to pay the monthly rental fee for two years (currently around $15). For customers whose credit scores qualify, installation is free. Others may pay a $100 installation fee.

Quantum Fiber ratings often skewed by CenturyLink

According to the 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) report, Quantum Fiber scored 71 out of 100 points—a 7% decline from the previous year. This places Quantum Fiber four points below the fiber industry average of 75 [3]. The 2025 ACSI data also indicated overall fiber provider scores decreased by 1% year-over-year across the industry [8]. The J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study did not differentiate between Quantum Fiber and CenturyLink DSL, instead reporting combined results for Lumen Technologies. In the West, where Quantum Fiber has its strongest presence, Lumen Technologies ranked last with a score of 511 out of 1,000. This combined scoring methodology means CenturyLink's lower-performing DSL service likely impacted the overall rating. If you compare fiber and DSL services within the Lumen portfolio, the ACSI shows Quantum Fiber's fiber service scores 16 points higher than CenturyLink's DSL offerings. This gap showcases that fiber customers report better experiences than DSL subscribers. The 7% satisfaction decline and below-average ACSI score suggest Quantum Fiber has customer experience downfalls regardless of its technical advantages. Issues affecting its customer experience ratings likely include installation delays, equipment problems, billing discrepancies, and customer service responsiveness. Reddit backs this up, with some users frustrated with Quantum Fiber's reliability: "The speed is great, consistent 550mbps up and down, but it is so unreliable" [9]. Other subscribers report a more positive experience, but do note that they are utilizing their own equipment instead of the Quantum Fiber-supplied equipment: "Love [Quantum Fiber], just get your own wifi equipment" [10]. Despite the below-average satisfaction scores, Quantum Fiber remains a strong technical choice where available. The combination of fast symmetrical speeds, unlimited data, no contracts, competitive pricing, and the price-for-life guarantee creates genuine value.

Viasat’s customer satisfaction average, but 24/7 customer support is strong

On many popular online review sites, Viasat tends to score slightly above average for customer satisfaction. When customers are not satisfied, their comments are often related to the innate differences of satellite technology. It’s true that satellite speeds cannot approach the speeds of cable or fiber. But satellite is often the only technology that can reach rural or remote areas. That’s why it’s not too surprising that Viasat has some customers online who are not happy that their speeds are not fast enough. But it’s hard to get a more objective read on overall customer satisfaction, because Viasat does not appear in the J.D. Power Survey of Residential Internet Service Customer Satisfaction. Viasat does provide extensive online and phone support, with live reps available 24/7 to help with any issues. The online resource library is clear and on target with common types of information that customers might need. Viasat also has a convenient online portal called My Viasat to manage any aspect of your service. My Viasat also works through an app that you can download on your smartphone. Their optional EasyCare service may also be worth the low monthly fee you will pay to have all your service calls covered ($95), a dish relocation covered ($200), and premium customer support with the dedicated EasyCare line.