Brightspeed is a fiber optics firm that is set to start its operations in 2022, with the core business being to offer internet service provider to places that are not well covered in the United States. People are still trying to figure out whether Brightspeed is a new name and brand of CenturyLink or not. The two companies are related but are not the same.
This article is going to expound on the history of the relationship between CenturyLink and Brightspeed.
As of 2021, CenturyLink decided to rebrand and is now known as Lumen Technologies. Lumen wanted to divest the consumer internet and wireline operations in 20 states and agreed to sell them to Apollo Global Management funds. The new company that was established from the divested CenturyLink assets is called Brightspeed.
Therefore, although Brightspeed relies on the infrastructure and connections that were once the CenturyLink network, it is an independent company at this point. CenturyLink no longer operates or owns the segments of its network that are being reactivated under the Brightspeed brand name and company.
However, the CenturyLink network which was previously used across rural America has given Brightspeed the network infrastructure to quickly roll out fiber internet in places that have never had it before. Thus, in many areas, Brightspeed is simply carrying on and updating the connections that CenturyLink had developed earlier.
Proposed map for Fiber Internet rollout
Brightspeed aims to build on the existing CenturyLink assets they bought to quickly expand fiber optic internet to more than 3 million households and companies. Their goals include:
- Delivering better, more reliable internet connection with speeds of up to 2 Gbps.
- New fiber locations that may range up to 1.5 million within the next 5 years
- The plan targets densely populated suburban and rural regions with minimal or no access to broadband internet.
- Ensuring that customers are getting the best internet and WiFi connection possible
Hence, it can be said that although Brightspeed is not the CenturyLink reborn, they are leveraging the infrastructure backbones and customers within the Lumen/CenturyLink regions they are acquiring. By having substantial private investment supporting them, Brightspeed wishes to turn these networks into modern fiber-optic networks serving communities that require broadband services.
Is Service Quality Improving?
Whenever Brightspeed upgrades infrastructure to fiber this directly will enhance the speeds, reliability, and capabilities of the networks developed under CenturyLink. Fiber enables symmetrical, gigabit-per-second connectivity which is far superior to obsolete DSL copper wire.
Still, it will take Brightspeed many years to complete the process of fiber upgrades across its coverage area. Customers in areas where conversion to improved internet quality has not occurred may not see the improved internet quality as compared to what CenturyLink was offering before. Until the new fiber network comes into play, the old copper network is still present.
In conclusion, most users should expect and demand better performance standards from Brightspeed’s networks than CenturyLink. Nevertheless, this will be a time series as infrastructure investments are completed in each of the neighborhoods.
Brightspeed Is Different from CenturyLink
While the connection is apparent between these two companies based on network overlap and asset acquisition, Brightspeed aims to differentiate itself from CenturyLink by:
- It has positioned itself as a new fiber-focused connectivity provider that uses the latest technologies.
- Focusing on rural, suburban, and exurban areas and those that are most in need of broadband.
- Offering outstanding localized customer service across their markets
- Developing a competitive price strategy based on simple plans
- Implementing self-service account management tools for enhanced account clarity
- Targeting more the home and small office market rather than corporate
Brightspeed is aware that most of its customers in the rural markets have been unhappy with inconsistent Internet connections and networks that are becoming saturated with additional loads. As for their goal, it remains to revitalize these areas with modern, reliable broadband using CenturyLink’s infrastructure as a starting point.
Therefore in summary, what Brightspeed has done is essentially get large chunks of CenturyLink’s legacy residential networks but are laser-beam focused on re-architecting and improving this infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to provide a significantly more enjoyable internet experience for these areas than what was available while under the ownership of CenturyLink. Brightspeed’s goal is to become a beloved fiber internet provider in the rural areas of the United States if only it invests more and spends more time.
Call (844) 340-6002 to get a new CenturyLink connection now!
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