Although America has numerous internet service providers in the market, only a few have nationwide coverage. This leaves most addresses with only a handful of internet options. EarthLink may not be the cheapest internet provider, but its unique way of providing service makes it one of the most available internet providers in the country.
Although EarthLink has been offering internet service since the 90s, the provider has remained relevant due to constant innovations. Plus, it is a popular choice among many due to its transparency about pricing, excellent performance, and good customer service. Read this EarthLink internet review to discover whether it is also the right provider for you.
EarthLink Internet Service Review
EarthLink is one of the prominent internet providers in the US. Based in Atlanta, this telecommunication company has been providing broadband service since the 90s and was, in fact, the second largest internet provider by 2000.
EarthLink is still relevant due to its ability to adapt and various acquisitions. EarthLink delivers DSL and fiber internet to 96% of households in 48 states. Unlike other providers, EarthLink offers internet access by using other providers’ networks, including AT&T, Frontier, Verizon, and CenturyLink.
Although this approach boosts high availability and saves you from directly dealing with these providers, it also leads to higher costs. But, it has good views about its customer service. EarthLink also offers business telecom and Mobile phone services besides home internet. This EarthLink internet review will dive deeper into all the details to answer whether its internet service is worth the high price.
- High-Speed Fiber Internet
- Reliable Internet Connectivity
- Plans start as low as $55/mo.
Pros & Cons of EarthLink Internet
Pros:
- Wide availability
- High-speed fiber internet plans
- Impressive customer service
- No price increase after 12 months
- No data caps
Cons:
- High prices for internet plans
- Internet speeds vary by location
- Has a 1-year contract
EarthLink Fiber Review
Although EarthLink also offers internet connectivity through different connection types, its fiber internet is the best choice for a smooth internet experience. Unlike other wired internet types, fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables with extremely thin glass stands to transmit data at the speed of light. This transmission facilitates higher and symmetrical upload and download speeds with the lowest latency.
EarthLink takes advantage of other providers’ fiber lines to deliver home internet speeds up to 5 Gbps. Plus, these high-speed plans give you more bandwidth and free you from sharing the lines with your neighbors, like cable internet. In addition, its fiber internet service comes with unrestricted data and no price hikes, making every activity possible, whether streaming, gaming, or video calling.
EarthLink DSL Review
EarthLink also provides DSL internet service by partnering with various ISPs, which amounts to higher prices for slower speeds. The DSL plans offer a maximum speed of up to 75 Mbps, but the available internet speeds can vary depending on where you live. You might even see slower speeds for the same price.
However, unlike other DSL internet providers, EarthLink gives you two or three options and does not restrict your data. Plus, it offers these plans at standard rates from the beginning. So, you don’t have to worry about price increases after a year.
EarthLink Internet Plans & Prices
EarthLink gives you a wide range of internet speeds to decide from, but the availability and prices change from location to location. Additionally, its prices are comparatively higher than other providers offering the same speeds because EarthLink does not offer promotional rates. Hence, you have to pay regular costs from the get-go.
DSL Internet Plans
EarthLink offers various DSL plans with unlimited data. However, the speeds and pricing vary significantly with your location. Therefore it is better to check the available EarthLink plans so you can choose the most suitable one for your home. Here are some standard EarthLink DSL plans.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Speed | Contact EarthLink |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Mbps | $54.95/month | 12 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 24 Mbps | $59.95/month | 24 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 45 Mbps | $64.95/month | 45 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 75 Mbps | $69.95/month | 75 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
Fiber Internet Plans
The real value lies in EarthLink’s fiber internet plans. The provider has become one of the fastest home internet providers since the introduction of multi-gigabit packages. EarthLink gives you the liberty to choose from a pool of fiber internet plans according to your requirements.
So, whether you are a heavy internet user or live in a small household, you can find a suitable EarthLink fiber internet plan starting from $59.95 a month.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Speed | Contact EarthLink |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | $59.95/month | 100 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 300 Mbps | $69.95/month | 300 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 500 Mbps | $79.95/month | 500 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 1000 Mbps | $89.95/month | 1000 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 2000 Mbps | $129.95/month | 2000 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
| 5000 Mbps | $189.95/month | 5000 Mbps | Call 1-877-209-2467 Now |
EarthLink Internet Availability
EarthLink’s wide availability is due to the way it provides its services. Except for Alaska and Hawaii, you’ll find this provider in some form in 48 states since it combines the availability of various ISPs. However, EarthLink covers these states in patches, and you won’t find it in every county, town, or city. EarthLink has the best coverage in the following states:
- New York
- California
- Texas
Additional Costs
Just like all the other ISPs, your EarthLink’s internet bill also involves these additional costs.
Equipment Fee
EarthLink charges a monthly equipment rental fee of $13 even though it uses the equipment of other ISPs. This equipment fee is unavoidable even if you purchase your own router, so keep this in mind while considering EarthLink’s packages.
Installation Fee
Although EarthLink offers self-installation, its availability depends on the ISP it is paired with in your area. Additionally, this self-installation option is not available with its HyperLink fiber service.
Another unique thing about EarthLink is that it does not perform the installation. Instead, it collaborates with another ISP to complete this process. However, EarthLink still charges a one-time installation fee of up to $80 from its new customers. Fortunately, this one-time cost is still lower than the professional installation fee of some other providers like CenturyLink or Verizon.
EarthLink Internet Speed
Every household has different speed requirements. EarthLink gives you an array of options ranging from 10 Mbps to 5 Gbps and ensures that you are not stuck paying more for speeds you do not need. Hence, you get an internet speed for every type of internet activity, whether it is streaming, downloading, gaming, or web browsing.
However, you may not find all the speed options at your address as EarthLink relies on other ISPs’ infrastructure. Furthermore, the number of devices also impacts your internet speed. So, carefully evaluate your internet requirements to find the right internet speed at the right price.
| EarthLink’s Speeds | Number of Devices |
|---|---|
| 25+ Mbps | 1 or 2 |
| 100+ Mbps | Up to 5 |
| 500+ Mbps | Up to 12 |
| 1000+ Mbps | Unlimited |
Data Caps
The best perk of EarthLink internet is that it offers unlimited data with DSL and fiber internet services, even if its partner ISP enforces data caps. Hence, you can stream Stranger Things or Umbrella Academy and play Fortnite or League of Legends without worrying about exceeding data limits or paying an overage fee.
Contract
Unfortunately, EarthLink compels you to sign a 1-year contract and charges a hefty $200 early termination fee as a penalty if you breach it. A contract is not ideal for many people. Fortunately, EarthLink offers stable monthly rates. Therefore, you don’t have to stress about automatic price hikes after a year.
EarthLink Internet Customer Service
Customer service plays a significant role in determining the reliability of an internet service provider. However, you’ll rarely find an ISP with good reviews about their customer service. Two primary outlets, American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power release yearly reports ranking the customer service of top ISPs.
Unfortunately, they do not cover EarthLink. Therefore, we examine the Better Business Bureau’s ratings to evaluate this provider. Despite a low score of 1.2 out of 5, the BBB gives EarthLink an A-plus, which means the customers are satisfied with its service. This customer satisfaction is because EarthLink empowers its customer representatives and is committed to providing the best experience to the consumers.
Unique Features of EarthLink
Many internet service providers give several unique benefits with their broadband service. EarthLink also offers some impressive features with its high-speed internet plans. You can access:
My EarthLink Portal
This web-based tool allows you to manage your EarthLink account. Furthermore, it lets you customize your account information and keeps you updated with every news, sports, and more.
Free Premium Email
EarthLink provides private and secure email to its fiber internet customers. This email includes virus and spam protection, which keeps your data safe.
EarthLink also offers the following services for additional monthly charges:
- Digital marketing services
- Real-time protection with EarthLink Protect+
- Online backup
- Online protection for your children with EarthLink Guardian
- Remote technical support through EarthLink EasyTech
EarthLink Internet vs Competitors
EarthLink is one of the largest internet providers in the US due to its partnership with other ISPs. But this also makes it challenging to compare EarthLink with them since it uses their network. However, a comparison is necessary for finding the right internet plan. Here is how EarthLink stacks up against other competitors.
EarthLink Internet vs AT&T Internet
EarthLink and AT&T offer fiber and DSL internet services with plans starting from $55 and speeds up to 5000 Mbps. However, unlike AT&T, which offers all the DSL plans at the same price, EarthLink’s prices increase with internet speed.
Additionally, EarthLink’s fiber internet has a higher starting price, and its gigabit plans are also more expensive. Overall, AT&T is not only more affordable but also adds more value with no equipment fees or contracts. In contrast, EarthLink’s DSL internet is a better option since it offers unlimited data, unlike AT&T DSL, which imposes 1 TB of data caps.
EarthLink Internet vs Frontier Internet
Frontier and EarthLink use fiber and DSL technologies to provide broadband services with unlimited data. Their DSL plans start at the same price of $55 a month, but EarthLink’s prices increase with the internet speed. Comparing the fiber internet service, Frontier offers affordability, while EarthLink offers higher internet speeds.
And while EarthLink imposes a 1-year contract, Frontier is also not contract-free. It compels you to sign a contract for additional bonuses and perks.
In short, Frontier’s fiber internet plans offer unlimited data and fixed prices for the first 12 months. Unfortunately, Frontier has limited availability compared to EarthLink. Plus, EarthLink’s DSL service is much better.
EarthLink Internet vs Verizon
Verizon also offers DSL and fiber internet plans like EarthLink, but its coverage is limited. Verizon’s DSL speeds are not only slower than EarthLink, but its DSL plan is also more expensive, starting from $75. Plus, it requires you to pay an unavoidable one-time $50 equipment fee.
On the other hand, its fiber internet service, Verizon Fios, is more affordable than EarthLink and imposes no contact or equipment fee. However, both providers offer the gigabit plan at the same price. In comparison, EarthLink offers higher speeds with two multi-gigabit internet plans but enforces a 1-year contract and a monthly equipment rental fee.
Conclusion
EarthLink has maintained its position for decades through constant innovation and adaptation. Although it is comparatively more expensive than others, EarthLink is very transparent about its pricing. Plus, it is an excellent option for the internet with a wide variety of plans, nationwide availability, numerous benefits, unique features, and good customer service. Read this EarthLink internet review to uncover whether this ISP is the right choice for your home internet.
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