EarthLink Fiber Internet Review 2024

Fiber-optic internet is the future of broadband technology. Purpose-built to transmit and distribute data signals at the speed of light, fiber optic cables can efficiently deliver symmetrical internet speeds up to 100 gigabits per second (Gbps). Over the years, the country is seeing a gradual boom in fiber-optic internet. 

EarthLink, one of America’s most widely available internet service providers, offers lightning-fast fiber internet connections to its consumers. The EarthLink fiber internet is available in a majority of the metro areas across the contiguous USA. With speeds as high as 5 GIGs, EarthLink is making supersonic internet at affordable speeds a reality. 

EarthLink Fiber Internet Review

EarthLink was founded in 1994 as a privately held internet service provider (ISP) for residential and business customers. Initially, the company was offering user-friendly dial-up internet service to nearly 98 cities from Pasadena, California. Earthlink was one of the first internet providers to offer unlimited data for a flat monthly rate. But the real success came in 2000 when EarthLink merged with MindSpring and became the second-largest internet carrier after Ameria Online (AOL). 

The merger meant that EarthLink could now roll out its DSL internet service throughout the nation, and become a dominant player in the high-speed internet market. EarthLink could offer up to 100 Mbps of download speeds on its DSL internet network. In 2002, CNet recognized EarthLink as the top internet service provider for the 3rd consecutive year. Today, EarthLink’s DSL internet service is available in 48 states, and it is one of the best and most affordable internet service providers for rural America. EarthLink’s reliable DSL internet service starts at $20 per month. Unfortunately, the company has not managed a similar triumph for its fiber internet service. 

EarthLink uses the fiber-optic networks of other fiber carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Centurylink, and Frontier to distribute its data. This business model works well for EarthLink because firstly, it does not have to spend large sums of money on the construction and maintenance of fiber-optic cable networks. Secondly, it can exert more control in terms of pricing and offer better customer service. As EarthLink uses AT&T’s fiber internet network for coverage in the most populous metro cities, it too can deliver up to 5 GIG symmetrical speeds (same upload and download speeds) to a certain extent. EarthLink’s fiber internet plans start at $54.95 per month and offer unlimited data at ultrafast speeds. 

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, EarthLink claims to have over 5 million active broadband subscribers. Since EarthLink uses the fiber-optic networks of multiple internet carriers, chances are that EarthLink’s fiber internet service is available at your zip code. If that’s the case, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of EarthLink fiber internet because…why choose the second-best when the best is being served to you on a golden plate? 

Pros

• Symmetrical speeds up to 5 GIGs
• It uses the network of popular ISPs for internet distribution.
• Customers rarely experience price hikes.
• Unlimited data on all the fiber internet plans.
• Reliable customer service
• It offers the government-assisted Affordable Connectivity Program to eligible customers.
• Customers without fiber-internet access are covered by the DSL internet service.

Cons

• Customers are obligated to sign a 12-month contract.
• Monthly internet fees are higher than top internet service providers.
• Internet speeds vary by location
• Fiber internet service is limited

EarthLink Fiber Optic Internet Plans 

EarthLink’s fiber internet service comes with a mandatory 12-month contract. Customers are required to sign annual contracts to have the service delivered to their homes. It means that if users decide to cancel their service before the contract expiration date, they will have to pay an early termination fee of up to $200. 

One major benefit of a contract service is that customers can expect consistency in the service, and this consistency begins with price guarantees. Other top-notch internet service providers hike their rates frequently and unexpectedly. The price increases often range between $10 and $20 per month. But with EarthLink fiber’s contract service, you can rest assured that your monthly internet bills will remain the same for a few years. 

As Earthlink was the pioneer of unlimited data over fixed monthly rates, it is no surprise that the carrier is implementing the same policy for its fiber-rich broadband. All the EarthLink fiber internet plans guarantee superfast symmetrical speeds with unlimited data and 99.9 percent network reliability. EarthLink is one of the few fiber internet providers in the country that can promise zero speed throttling during network congestion.  

When customers subscribe to Earthlink’s fiber internet service, they are given free anti-virus software and secure email IDs. The Protect+ cybersecurity pack safeguards your device from malware and gives you complete protection against hacks and online fraud. 

EarthLink fiber internet requires professional installation. A technician will be sent to your home to set up the fiber internet service and activate your EarthLink account. The same-day installation and activation costs around $80 and can take between one and three hours, depending on the expertise of the technician. If you are the only person enrolling for EarthLink internet in your area, the technician will first have to install a small utility box near your home to connect you to the main fiber-optic cable network. The modem + Wi-Fi router gateway is leased to customers for a small fee of $14.95 per month. 

EarthLink Fiber Internet Plan for Best Value

The entry-level plan for EarthLink fiber internet offers up to 100 Mbps symmetrical speeds. The plan costs $54.95 per month and includes free anti-virus software and unlimited data. However, customers opting for this plan must be mindful of the fact that broadband speeds will vary depending on your location around the country. The further away you are from the data centers, the slower will be the speed on your Earthlink fiber internet due to limited network availability. That’s why users should expect to receive between 25 Mbps and 100 Mbps of internet speed on their EarthLink Fiber- Best Value plan. 

The EarthLink fiber- Best Value plan is perfect for multi-device connectivity for a small family. The same upload and download speeds ensure glitch-free online gaming with lag times as low as 30 ms. Moreover, 100 Mbps of download speeds allow Earthlink Fiber users to experience smooth streaming of their favorite movies/ shows. Likewise, 100 Mbps of upload speeds enable speedy file transfers for swift personal and professional communication.

Most Popular EarthLink Fiber Internet Plan 

By its own admission, EarthLink fiber’s most popular plan is the one that delivers 300 Mbps of symmetrical speeds. The plan costs $69.95 per month and includes unlimited data and free cybersecurity. Again, due to the limited availability of fiber-optic cable networks around the country, your home may be deprived of 300 Mbps internet speeds. In such a case, your EarthLink fiber internet service may be downgraded to 100 Mbps download speeds over its DSL internet network. Whereas, in areas with high fiber optic capability such as urban centers, the same plan is sold with upgraded speeds (up to 500 Mbps). 

EarthLink Fiber’s most popular plan is best suited for big families as it allows multi-device connectivity for up to 10 devices. The 300 Mbps of ultrafast symmetrical upload and download speeds are great for online multiplayer games, HD quality streaming, instant file transfers, and smooth video calling. 

EarthLink Fiber Internet Plan for Fastest Streaming 

EarthLink Fiber’s Fastest Streaming plan delivers reliable gigabit and multi-gigabit speeds. The three most common speed tiers on EarthLink Fiber – Fastest Streaming plan are 1000 Mbps, 2000 Mbps, and 5000 Mbps. Depending on your location within the country, you will be notified if you have access to EarthLink’s 2 GIG and 5 GIG fiber internet service. Usually, EarthLink Fiber’s 1 GIG plan costs $90 per month. The price for 2 GIG and 5 GIG speeds are $130 per month and $190 per month respectively. All the tiers of EarthLink Fiber-Fastest Streaming plans include its complimentary Protect+ cybersecurity. 

EarthLink Fiber’s Fastest Streaming plan is for all those who are running a small online business from their homes. On the gigabit tier, you can connect up to 15 devices whereas, on the lightning-fast speed of 5 GIG service, you can connect more than 20 devices. The Fastest Streaming plan allows glitch-free professional gaming, buffer-free streaming in 4K UHD quality, and instant transfers of heavy audio/video files. 

EarthLink Fiber Internet Availability

Although the coverage area of EarthLink spans over 48 states (not available in Alaska and Hawaii), its fiber internet service is limited to metro areas of the country. On its website, the company has mentioned some of the top cities that are best for EarthLink’s fiber internet service. These cities are as follows:

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Austin, Texas
• Charlotte, North Carolina
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
• Salt Lake City, Utah
• San Antonio, Texas
• Seattle, Washington
• Tulsa, Oklahoma 

It must be noted that the fiber internet capability in the country stands at 48 percent. Fiber-optic cables are expensive to manufacture. Just one foot of fiber-optic cable costs around $8 so, imagine how costly it will be to lay down miles and miles of it across the country. Moreover, fiber-optic cables are expensive to maintain. Made from hair-like thin strands of glass, fiber-optic cables are prone to damage and need frequent replacement due to inclement weather conditions. EarthLink fiber internet service is affected by the high construction and maintenance cost of fiber-optic cables and therefore, the availability is limited to technologically advanced, metropolises.

Customer Service for EarthLink Fiber Internet 

EarthLink fiber internet’s customer service is consistently recognized as one of the best in the country. According to the Better Business Bureau, EarthLink Fiber internet has an A-Plus rating. Generally, poor ratings for customer satisfaction are an industrywide dilemma and the highest score that any internet service provider has received for its customer service is 75 out of 100 points. EarthLink fiber is not immune to this curse. 

The globally recognized, annual J.D. Power survey for analyzing customer satisfaction scores for internet service providers has placed EarthLink fiber in the score bracket of 50 to 60 points. EarthLink fiber internet customers appreciate the professionalism of the technical staff, consistent and symmetrical speeds even during peak hours, and straightforward pricing for their monthly plans. 

EarthLink Fiber vs Other Fiber Internet Providers

EarthLink Fiber vs. AT&T Fiber

In 21 states of the USA, EarthLink Fiber actively uses AT&T’s fiber-optic network to deliver superfast, symmetrical gigabit and multi-gigabit speeds. But as both service providers operate as separate entities, there are stark differences in terms of their plans, pricing, and policies. Or what we call the three great Ps of internet carriers. So, let’s compare the two fiber-rich carriers in the table below:

EarthLink Fiber vs. Frontier Fiber Internet 

Like EarthLink, Frontier Communications provides both, DSL and fiber internet service to its customers. Both broadband carriers frequently compete for the title of the ‘best DSL internet provider’ in the rural areas of the country. But here, we will be comparing EarthLink Fiber with Frontier Fiber internet services.

EarthLink Fiber vs. Kinetic Fiber Internet Service 

Kinetic, powered by Windstream is another popular internet service provider that offers DSL as well as fiber-optic internet services in the country. Standing true to its name, Kinetic’s fiber-rich network is purpose-built to cater to its customers’ fast-paced life. The carrier is renowned for its wide availability, gigabit speeds, and exciting bundle deals in the eastern and mid-western regions of the country. Look at the comparison table below to see if Kinetic fares better than EarthLink Fiber in all realms.      

Conclusion

So, does EarthLink have what it takes to be the primary fiber internet provider for your home or business? 

The answer is a resounding YES. EarthLink fiber internet’s countrywide availability, convenient pricing, first-class customer service, and unlimited data makes it an excellent broadband carrier for symmetrical gigabit and multigigabit speeds. EarthLink fiber internet customers are required to sign a 12-month contract and at a glance, the monthly internet fee may seem higher than some other top-notch fiber internet providers. 

However, this catch comes with an added benefit. Other internet service providers like AT&T, Frontier, and Kinetic offer promo rates for the first 6 or 12 months and then suddenly hike their prices by $10 to $20 per month. But this is not the case with EarthLink fiber internet. It offers a flat rate from the beginning till the end of your contract term.