Mossy Life

My Quantum Fiber Journey: The Full Story

The Installation Saga

I signed up online on June 25th, 2025 using someone's referral link and immediately qualified for the $100 bonus (which actually paid out - more on that later). Since my house hadn't been hooked up for fiber yet, a technician installation was required.

June 26th - Less than 24 hours after signing up, I received this email:

"We're sorry for the inconvenience but there's been a delay and we need to reschedule your installation. We'll get in touch with you again to reschedule your installation appointment - usually in about a week, but occasionally longer."

No installation date. No explanation. Just... wait.

After several days of radio silence, I contacted customer service via chat. The rep told me they couldn't provide a date yet because additional equipment needed to be installed in our neighborhood to increase capacity before they could connect our home. This was frustrating - why couldn't they tell me this upfront? And more importantly, when would it be ready?

July 1st - Finally received an installation date:

"Your installation is now set for Thursday, 07/10/2025 by 11:00 AM"

That's a 15-day wait from signup to installation. I was nervous it would get canceled again (I'd read nightmare stories on Reddit about multi-month delays), but this time it stuck.

July 10th, 10:30 AM - The technician was running late:

"Our technician is running late for your appointment. We'll update you once they're headed your way."

Around noon, the technician finally arrived. Here's the good news: the technician was fantastic. Friendly, professional, and had everything up and running quickly. They provided a fiber modem/router combo unit (free - included with service) and walked me through the basic setup.

Total installation time: About 2 hours (including the outdoor fiber line work).

4+ Months Later: My Honest Assessment

It's now November 2nd, 2025, and I've been using Quantum Fiber for over 4 months. Here's what I've learned.

The Performance (Actual Speed Tests)

For context, I'm a software developer and my girlfriend works from home. We regularly have simultaneous Zoom/Teams meetings, upload large files, stream video, and run multiple devices. The internet doesn't hiccup.

This is where fiber destroys cable: That 128 Mbps upload speed. Cable internet typically gives you 10-20 Mbps upload. If you work from home, do video calls, or upload anything to the cloud, fiber's symmetric speeds are game-changing.

The Price: Real Talk

Even better? No promotional pricing games. Quantum Fiber claims this price is "for life" (though they were recently acquired by AT&T, so we'll see). No contract, no early termination fees - it's month-to-month. You can cancel anytime.

Math check: Even after buying a $100 router (recommended), you save $320 in the first year and $420+ every year after.

Pros & Cons: The Unfiltered Truth

🔥 PRO TIPS: How to Get Reliable Service

Here's the deal: Quantum Fiber's provided equipment causes problems. I've read countless reports online (Reddit, forums, blogs) about random internet outages with their modem/router combo unit. My coworker switched to Quantum Fiber around the same time as me, and he's experienced several brief outages using their equipment. Nothing major, but annoying when you're working from home.

Meanwhile, I haven't had a single outage in 4+ months. The difference? I'm using my own router.

Pro Tip #1: Use Your Own Equipment

The equipment Quantum Fiber provides is free, but it's not great. By putting their modem in "bridge mode" and using your own WiFi router, you'll get:

• Better reliability - No random disconnects
• Better WiFi coverage - Their router is bare minimum
• Better control - Configure DNS, parental controls, guest networks, etc.
• Peace of mind - You're not dependent on their customer service if something goes wrong

Initial setup takes about 30 minutes. I'll walk you through it step-by-step below.

Pro Tip #2: Change Your DNS Servers

Quantum Fiber's DNS servers go down relatively often (I've heard complaints about this from multiple users). Fix this by using Google and Cloudflare DNS instead:

• Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• Cloudflare DNS: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1

You can set these in your router settings (I'll show you how below). This simple change prevents DNS-related outages.

Pro Tip #3: Get $100 Free Money

Use a referral link when signing up (like mine) and Quantum Fiber will deposit $100 directly into your bank account or PayPal. No catch, no strings. They actually pay out. This basically covers the cost of buying your own router.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Own Equipment

What You'll Need

I recommend the TP-Link Archer BE3600 WiFi 7 Router (~$100). It's fast, reliable, has excellent range, and supports WiFi 7 (future-proof). Plus it's easy to set up.

You'll also need:

• The modem Quantum Fiber provided (we're going to use it in "bridge mode")
• An ethernet cable (usually included with the router)
• The TP-Link Tether app (free, iOS/Android)

Step 1: Initial Setup with Quantum's Equipment

When the technician installs your service, they'll set up the provided modem/router and help you connect to it. Use the QR code on the device to set up a temporary WiFi network name and password. This is just to get things working initially.

Step 2: Access the Modem Settings

1. Connect to the Quantum Fiber WiFi network (the temporary one you just set up)
2. Open a web browser and go to: 192.168.1.1
3. Log in using the username and password printed on the modem

Step 3: Enable Bridge Mode

This is the key step. Bridge mode turns off the WiFi on Quantum's device and lets it act as just a modem, passing the internet connection to your own router.

In the modem settings, navigate to the bridging section and enable transparent bridge mode. Click "Apply" and wait about a minute.

What you're looking for: The modem should stop showing a green light and display only a white light. This indicates bridge mode is active.

Important: Once bridge mode is enabled, you won't be able to access 192.168.1.1 anymore. That's normal - the modem is now just passing through the connection.

Step 4: Connect Your Router

1. Plug an ethernet cable from the Quantum Fiber modem into your new router
2. On the TP-Link Archer BE3600, use the blue WAN port (it's labeled)
3. Plug in the router's power and wait for the WiFi indicator lights to turn on (about 1-2 minutes)

Step 5: Set Up Your Router

1. Download the TP-Link Tether app on your phone (iOS or Android)
2. Open the app and create a TP-Link account (or log in if you have one)
3. The app will automatically detect your new router
4. Follow the prompts to:
   • Name your WiFi network (SSID)
   • Create a strong password
   • Set your time zone

Total time: About 5-10 minutes

Step 6: Configure DNS Settings (Important!)

In the Tether app:

1. Go to Tools → Advanced → Network → DHCP Server
2. Set Primary DNS to: 8.8.8.8 (Google)
3. Set Secondary DNS to: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)
4. Save settings

This ensures you're using reliable DNS servers instead of Quantum Fiber's flaky ones.

Step 7: Test Everything

1. Connect a device to your new WiFi network
2. Run a speed test at fast.com or speedtest.net
3. You should see speeds close to 200 Mbps download and 127 Mbps upload

That's it! You're now running on your own equipment with better reliability and control.

Should You Switch to Quantum Fiber?

✅ You should switch if:

• You're in any Quantum Fiber service area (Portland, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Omaha, Salt Lake City, Boise, etc.) and have fiber availability at your address
• You're paying more than $50/month for internet from Xfinity, Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, or other cable providers
• You want faster upload speeds (working from home, video calls, content creation)
• You're willing to spend 30 minutes setting up your own router
• You don't need 24/7 phone support (or you're tech-savvy enough to troubleshoot on your own)

❌ You should stay away if:

• You need same-day customer service support
• You're not comfortable with basic tech setup
• You need guaranteed uptime for critical business operations
• Your address requires extensive infrastructure work (ask before signing up)
• You're unwilling to use your own equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did you really get the $100 referral bonus?

A: Yes! It was deposited to my PayPal about 4-6 weeks after installation. Make sure you use a referral link when signing up.

Q: What happens if I have a problem?

A: If you're using your own equipment, you can usually troubleshoot yourself (reboot router, check cables, etc.). If it's a Quantum Fiber issue (fiber line, modem problem), you'll need to schedule a technician. Wait times are usually 1-2 days but could be longer.

Q: Can I use their equipment and skip buying a router?

A: Yes, but I don't recommend it. You'll likely experience occasional outages and you'll be dependent on their customer service to fix it.

Q: Is 200 Mbps enough?

A: For 90% of households, absolutely. Two people working from home with simultaneous video calls, streaming, gaming, etc. - no issues. Start with the cheapest plan and upgrade if needed.

Q: What about the AT&T acquisition?

A: Quantum Fiber was recently bought by AT&T. So far nothing has changed, but it's something to monitor. Since there's no contract, you can cancel anytime if things go downhill.

Q: Will this work in my area?

A: Check Quantum Fiber's website for availability in your city. They currently serve: Portland (OR), Seattle (WA), Denver (CO), Phoenix (AZ), Las Vegas (NV), Minneapolis (MN), Omaha (NE), Salt Lake City (UT), Boise (ID), and many other Western/Midwest markets. The equipment and setup process is identical across all markets - this guide works everywhere Quantum Fiber operates.

Q: Is the pricing the same everywhere?

A: Quantum Fiber pricing is generally consistent nationwide ($45-50/month for 200 Mbps with autopay), though some markets may have promotional offers. The equipment, technology, and reliability issues are identical regardless of location.

Final Verdict: Worth It?

Yes, with caveats.

If you're willing to invest 30 minutes setting up your own router and can tolerate mediocre customer service, Quantum Fiber is an excellent value. I'm saving $420/year compared to Xfinity, getting better upload speeds, lower latency, and haven't had a single outage in 4+ months.

The installation process was frustrating, but that's a one-time thing. The actual internet service is rock solid.

My recommendation: Start with the 200 Mbps plan (it's plenty fast), use your own equipment, and pocket the savings.

Ready to Switch?

Not a bad deal for 30 minutes of setup work.

Quantum Fiber Markets & Availability

Quantum Fiber (formerly CenturyLink Fiber) is rapidly expanding across the Western and Midwestern United States. This review and setup guide applies to all Quantum Fiber markets because they use identical equipment and infrastructure nationwide.

Major Quantum Fiber Markets

Northwest: Portland (OR), Seattle (WA), Spokane (WA), Eugene (OR), Salem (OR), Boise (ID), Bend (OR)

Mountain West: Denver (CO), Salt Lake City (UT), Colorado Springs (CO), Boulder (CO), Fort Collins (CO), Provo (UT)

Southwest: Phoenix (AZ), Las Vegas (NV), Tucson (AZ), Albuquerque (NM), Mesa (AZ), Scottsdale (AZ)

Midwest: Minneapolis (MN), Omaha (NE), Lincoln (NE), St. Paul (MN), Des Moines (IA)