Enterprise Carrier Comparison · Updated April 2026

Lumen vs AT&T Business: A 2026 Enterprise Comparison

Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) and AT&T Business are the two carriers we quote most often for PNW enterprise connectivity. Both offer MPLS, Ethernet, and SD-WAN. Here's where they actually differ.

DimensionLumenAT&T Business
Formerly known asCenturyLink / Level 3AT&T (unchanged)
Fiber network strengthExtensive in Pacific Northwest and West CoastStrong nationally; varies by region
MPLS / private WANYes — strong legacy MPLS footprintYes — AT&T VPN / MPLS
SD-WAN offeringLumen Network as a Service (NaaS), Black Lotus securityAT&T SD-WAN (multiple vendor partnerships)
Dedicated internet (DIA)Competitive; strong in tier-2 marketsCompetitive; strong in major metros
Mobile / wirelessNo mobile network (relies on MVNO)Full AT&T Wireless integration for backup / mobile
Managed servicesManaged SD-WAN, managed security, CDNManaged security, networking, FirstNet for public safety
Contract termsTypically 3–5 yr enterprise; negotiableTypically 3–5 yr enterprise; negotiable
Pricing transparencyModerate; custom quotes standardModerate; custom quotes standard
PNW market presenceVery strong — legacy CenturyLink footprintGood; stronger in Seattle and major cities
Sweet spotMulti-site PNW enterprise, MPLS-to-SD-WAN migrationsNational enterprise, wireless-integrated WAN, FirstNet

The bottom line

For a PNW enterprise with multiple Oregon and Washington sites, Lumen's legacy fiber footprint often gives it a last-mile advantage — particularly in markets where AT&T's fiber hasn't fully expanded. Lumen's NaaS platform is also a compelling migration path for organizations moving off MPLS. AT&T wins where wireless WAN integration matters (AT&T Wireless as a backup link is a genuinely clean solution), and for organizations with sites spread nationally where AT&T's broader footprint reduces the number of last-mile providers you're dealing with. In competitive situations, we frequently pit both against a Comcast or Zayo fiber quote to pressure pricing down.

Fine Print

Carrier pricing is highly negotiable and depends on site addresses, bandwidth requirements, and contract term. All figures and capabilities reflect Q2 2026 market conditions. ITG Group is not affiliated with Lumen or AT&T.

Getting a real quote

Comparison pages can only tell you so much. Actual pricing depends on seat count, term length, geography, existing carrier relationships, and timing of your contract negotiation. ITG Group can run a real head-to-head quote for your exact situation at no cost to you — we're paid by the carrier you choose, not by you, and the flat commission structure means we have no reason to steer you one direction or the other.

Let ITG Run the Numbers for You

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