Zyxel C3000Z VDSL Modem Product Details
The Zyxel C3000Z is a high-powered DSL Modem featuring gigabit Ethernet, Dual-Band AC2200 Connectivity, VDSL2/ADSL2 with vectoring and much more! This modem is truly a powerhouse! Because of this, we recommend this model for users who require stronger signals over a larger area of coverage with 12+ devices. As an added benefit, this model also allows you to create up to 4 separate Wi-Fi networks. These features allow you to make the most out of your equipment investment and reduces the cost of later upgrades.
Gigabit Ethernet WAN / LAN Port
C3000Z includes a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet WAN Port. When CPE is operating in DSL mode this port will work as a 5th Gigabit LAN Port. Carrier-class Wi-Fi for Seamless Mobility C3000Z offers dual-band WiFi rated at AC2200 and delivers speed of up to 1.7 Gbps* over 5Ghz and 450 Mbps* over 2.4Ghz. High powered Wi-Fi on both 5GHz and 2.4GHz APs extend coverage, unleashing the best wireless experience for homes with several Wi-Fi devices. In addition the ability to create multiple Wi-Fi networks with up to 4 SSIDs, helps operators easily create separate WLAN networks for video data and guests.
Better Speeds with Bonded VDSL2 + Vector
C3000Z supports VDSL2 bonding with vectoring. Vectoring support reduces crosstalk for up to 150% increase in performance and range.
The C3000Z also supports the latest VDSL2 35B profile.
Enhanced Security Features Forms Robust Protection
Enhanced security ensures the protection of traffic from the WAN to the LAN. Through ZyXEL’s implementation of dual Ethernet firewalls (NAT and SPI) the C3000Z is able to identify and manage malicious content and applications. And as part of its wireless security design the C3000Z supports WPA2/WPA and features a hardware WPS button allowing customers to enjoy easy setup using a simple button. These features simplify your ability to set up and utilize a secure wireless network!
Zyxel C3000Z TR-069 Remote Management
The C3000Z provides DSL Forum compliant TR-069 remote management features to ensure faster deployment by Service Providers.
*Listed wireless data transfer rates are the theoretical maximum. The actual data transfer rate may vary depending on the network environment.
Miley Cyrus –
The Centurylink ZyXEL C3000Z DSL modem/router works wonderfully with Centurylink. Super easy to set up. It has all the features I need and more. My only gripe is that reserving IP/MAC addresses takes longer than usual for DSL modems.
2018-10-05 UPDATE: Everything was working fine until today, then I noticed really outlandish ping numbers (up to 2 full seconds for a ping). I called CenturyLink and went through all all the troubleshooting that entails with the end result resetting the C3000Z back to factory defaults. The tech had me go to connect.centrylink.com to finish setting up the mode/router. This was new, I never had to do that before. After doing the online setup, the router was ready to use and the ping times were excellent.
But I had a LAN network that was 192.168.123, not the default 192.168.0. As soon as I made the address change, the ping times went back up to 900 ms. I went back to factory defaults and did the connect.centrylink.com setup again. Each time the C3000Z worked great until I changed something in the device. This was never the case before. CenturyLink, it appears, has decided all the CenturyLink branded modem/routers belong to them and they can program them however they wish and the user can’t do anything without risking terrible internet speeds.
MY ADVICE TO ALL CENTURYLINK CUSTOMERS: Do not buy or use any CenturyLink branded modem/routers. Maybe this is a result of the net neutrality law being abolished by the Trump Administration?
Aaron –
I just got Gigabit Fiber from CenturyLink and this is their leased model they provide. It is a very capable WiFi router and can certainly handle full gigabit speeds through the wired connections on it. I’m not sure if I broke 300mbps up/down on wireless on it. I opted to use my own equipment instead for better use in my home and a more powerful Wireless AP than this can do for me. CenturyLink sells them for $150 if you want it with their service.
Laura –
This combination modem/router has an extended range of up to 300′ square, which is enough to reach our downstairs bedroom. Finally, no more dead zones in the house.
R. Ploude –
Having just moved to a new location, I needed a modem to go with my new DSL high-speed service. The ZyXEL C3000Z was one of the modems recommended by CenturyLink.
The ZyXEL C3000Z is a combination modem and router. I have a TP-Link router that worked well for me over the past year when it was hooked up to an Xfinity cable modem, and I anticipated connecting that router to the ZyXEL C3000Z after the CenturyLink new-account tech left the house. But, I’ve put off doing so as the C3000Z seems to be working so well as a router.
The C3000Z is located in the center of my 2,000SF Florida concrete block ranch style home. It’s 5G and 2.4G signal reaches every room in the house as well as the Lanai and the garage.
While expecting nothing more from this device than a basic connection to my ISP, I was pleasantly surprised with how effective it is as a single unit device to serve my network needs. It is very dependable, unlike the frequent crashes I experienced with my cable modem.
Alan Moore –
Installation was easy. Step by step instructions from CenturyLink website worked great. BUT:During the 10 days following installation the internet signal dropped at least 8 times. Unplug and plug the device back in resolved the problem after each incident. I phoned Centurylink and tech service did a remote check of the line with no problem identified. CenturyLink sent a service person to my home and he checked the external service box and reattached all of the connections and found no problem with the incoming signal. He also checked the signal at the plug-in inside the house with no problem. I had four drops of the internet the following two days. I disconnected the device and reinstalled the 12 year old CenturyLink modem and the nine year old router and have no problems since. Lesson: If it works don’t fix it.
Klaus G. –
If you have already Century Link and want to upgrade, this is the way to go. It connects and hooks itself up with your existing account. It broadcasts the signal in 2.4 and 5.0 ghz so you can choose which one you want to use with each device in your home.
My old modem dropped the signal at least once a day, this one never did since it was hooked up.
Update: Still working great . Added a Netgear WiFi extender for the basement and it just worked . So don’t be afraid to mix brands.
Roy McCleary –
I liked the speed but disliked the straight up and down size of modum.
Douglas Hitchens –
Easy setup, great wireless range in my house.
Jennie Y –
So far it works very well. Arrived before date promised. No message that say “unable to connect with . . .” still working. . . no problems 09/26/2018
dexter morgan –
no issues with century link! easy set up and hasn’t needed rebooting in the past few weeks i’ve owned it.
Karen –
This modem works great with CenturyLink internet service.
Dana –
setup was easy, better wifi range than the rented modem/router. and no $10 rent every month.
will pay for itself in about a year
Karey A. Pharris –
If all you want is plug and play, then this might be for you. However if you want to do any security configuration, MAC filtering, connect a USB device for network storage, change DHCP; then you should look elsewhere. There is a 12 device limit on the MAC filtering, not very useful. When I tried configuring DHCP away from the well known 192.168.0.1, you loose internet connectivity! The online support guy from CL said yes they disable a lot of the features in this modem; makes no sense at all to remove features that are clearly stated on the box and in the manual from the manufacturer.
The only good thing I can say is that the speed of this modem over my older modem was better.
Mike –
I have internet, and I don’t have to pay $10/mo to rent one.
YS –
We had a rented Modem from CenturyLink. It had very poor performance. We are struggling to get a good internet service in remote area for years. We are hope this modem would change situation for us. It is very easy setup. only one thing buyer need to get is a phone filter, because this modem only has one phone port, the filter will give you option to connect to modem and phone if you want to keep your line phone. It has been used for couple days, everything is better now.
Todd Rogers –
After a week, all was well. Then it started not connecting to the internet, no problem, reboot. Works for a while and then I had to reboot everytime I needed to go to the internet, not the kind of modem I had in mind.
Anonymous –
CenturyLink upgraded me from the 1000z to this 3000z for bonded DSL service. The addition of 5ghz AC wireless is a welcome benefit. As another reviewer pointed out wifi strength on the 2.4 band is no where near the 1000z I had previously. I’m going to have to supplement with an external router/wifi to reach some devices. The DSL modem on the other hand seems stable so far.
Phoenix –
I have CenturyLink as my ISP. My area is older and only supports VDSL2 up to max 40mbps (I have the slower option of 20mbps). I previously had an ActionTec combined DSL modem/WiFi router from CenturyLink and frankly it was marginal at best. Then the WiFi Radio stopped working. I had cabled a high speed router from one of the ports, but that was even slower. I did everything possible (like checking lowest use channels, etc.). My house has multiple connected laptops/tablets, 10 WiFi outlets, 5 Echos, 2 phones, 3 IP cameras. All running across 20mbps service. After installing and configuring this new modem/router, I am seeing zero (that is ZERO) latency ! Maybe I am just lucky, but at day 2 I am impressed. When I set up yesterday, I tested with all devices at same time. Streaming TV was good, Laptop Google search was good, cell phones good, and I rant a speedtest that showed max download and upload. Fingers crossed it keeps humming along, but so far… Wow!
RaiGos –
If you regularly manage your router and modem settings, steer clear of this product. While trying to configure and set up the modem to connect to CenturyLink’s network, the connection kept resetting and forcing me to login again. I attempted to disable the login requirement, but the resets just never stopped. I gave up after 30 mins of this. My guess is that it forces the customer to contact CenturyLink so they can configure it for you. Never bothering with their line of modems again.
Karen –
This is an excellent product for Frontier Bonded DSL. Worked first time when I connected it, no configuration was required. Will buy again. Purchased since my Frontier modem kept dropping the modem line and the Wi Fi was constantly dropping.
Andy –
Excellent product. Easy to use.
Susan L. –
The directions were missing from my package and the tech support was excellent. I was able to install easily and painlessly with the great tech help. After a couple months it is still working perfectly.
Colonel Scrimshaw Vinegar –
This DSL modem works great. Bonded DSL is marvelous. Installation was fast and easy, and I like the ability to have one SSID for 2.4 GHz and another for 5 GHz. Coverage throughout our 2200 sq ft House is fine, and it even reaches the patio and the garage. It hasn’t dropped connection since the day it was installed, and the FEC errors are much lower than I was getting on my Actiontek. I purchased this through CenturyLink for $150.00.
Morty Smith –
It’s not clear why router manufacturers think everyone wants colorful, confusing graphics in their menu systems; but here we are.
This modem/router unit works fine and I purchased it due to being the most up to date unit CenturyLink supports. It’s unfortunate they do not support any modem-only units and only offer these combo units, but that’s CenturyLink’s issue not Zyxel.
This modem works well, and you can make it “modem-only” by turning off the WiFi antennas from the admin panel. Just be aware that the 2.4GHz and 5GHz each have their own settings pages. This was not clear in the menu and left me confused for a while why the router was showing WiFi off but the SSID was still present.
Yang Shao –
I had problem using C1000 modem and centurylink tech support couldn’t figure it out after days trouble shooting. We switched to this C3000Z modem and it works well.
John –
I Could Not Stay Connected with Century Link Pk5001 Z could not figure it out until I read the reviews, I plug it in and it was an easy install, don’t lose that paper with all the info on it, I tape it to my laptop, now I got real high speed, video runs , I can play amazon music now I could not before,
if your not staying connected and you can spare the money this is the upgrade to get and stay connected, I receive in every room in my house. nice
C. H. Perdue –
I am really sorry Ihad to return this item I have an old PK5001a dsl which is really unstable and slow. 7-8 mbs down and .7-.8 mbs up. Iinstalled this on my copper line, internet service from Centurylink ISP. It did not i prove either by a noticeable amount. Then 30 hr later it died and didn’t work a all any more. I had to return it for a refund. It did hit 9 mbs down once, and .8 was the best upload speed. I pay for 12 mbs servives.
Pastor T –
Warning, when CenturyLink tells you they can give you 80M, that’s not necessarily what they mean. We went around and around and finally had someone explain that our speed tests will never show anywhere near 80M, but with two bonded lines, we will see 40M on both. Speed is not higher, but data transmission is theoretically higher (like using a larger bucket to bail water at the same speed). This unit does not combine the two lines into a faster speed, but otherwise works fine.
Geronimo –
Fortunately I got one of these free through a friend that works for Centurylink. I seem to burn out the WiFi modems on them about every 2 years. This model is very similar to previous models, except a little smaller in size. It’s easy to configure, assuming you have a little experience. WiFi performance is good. It runs fairly cool, but I have it sitting on top of a cooling fan, anyway. I had no idea these cost as much as they do. I’d highly recommend being friends with a Centurylink tech. It saves me a ton of money.
Jessica –
Was easy to connect and easy to use.
Richard Moody –
I have CenturyLink DSL and needed a new router/modem. Reviewing all CenturyLink approved devices, I settled on the C3000Z. My only concern was set up for a Mac system as all I could find referenced PCs. Out of the box the set up was simple and took less than 30 minutes, including resetting NetworkP preferences on the three Macs in the house and the Epson printer for WiFi printing. Also, the strength of signal was excellent throughout the house without any boosters. I give five stars for Easy to Use. I cannot rate Tech Support as I didn’t need it. I cannot rate Durability as I have just starting using it.
Chase A. McGregor –
This is a great modem! I highly recommend the seller as well. She was nothing but professional and very helpful.
D. R. lee –
Centurylink has different DSL modems and they are really bad at helping you find the one you need. This is the second time I’ve ordered a modem from their compatibility list only to find that it wouldn’t work with my service. I was also told by one of their honest techs that their routers are marginal at best. He advised a Netgear router attached to their modem and it has worked much better. I was about to drop Centurylink but the alternatives weren’t great so I’m glad I followed his advice.
Don Woebke –
This works great and took 5 mins to hook up
Tommy C Hung –
Modem seems to be in good condition. Everything connects well except for 5GHz channel (never shows on WiFi). Goes through Firmware update, modem reboot and contacted CenturyLink for support and still cannot gets 5GHz to work. 2.4 and wire connection both working fine.