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EarthLink rating
How we calculated our rating
6.3
/ 10
SCORE
Speed
6/10
Value
5.5/10
Pros
- No extreme rate hikes after 12 months
- Unlimited data, no speed throttling ever
- Fiber connection where available
Cons
- No introductory rates
- 12-month contract
- Speeds and network quality vary widely by location
See more pros and cons
One of the oldest names in home internet, EarthLink is different from many top internet providers in that it doesn't own and operate the networks it uses for service. Instead, the provider uses the established wired and wireless networks of other providers, such as, CenturyLink, Frontier, T-Mobile and Viasat.
Piggybacking on other providers allows EarthLink to boast high availability and a variety of speeds, but that approach also leads to higher pricing. Shop around and you'll find that EarthLink's internet costs are higher than most ISPs, but give the company credit for transparent pricing and customer-friendly service terms, such as unlimited data and no speed throttling with fiber internet.
EarthLink internet plans and pricing
Since EarthLink uses different networks and connection types to offer home internet service, available plans, pricing and speeds can vary widely by address. I've listed common fiber-optic EarthLink plans below, but keep in mind that connection type, pricing, speeds and data will vary by address.
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EarthLink fiber internet plans
| Plan | Starting monthly price | Max speeds (Mbps) | Data cap | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100Mbps | $60 | 100 down, 100 up | None | 1 year |
| 300Mbps | $65 | 300 down, 300 up | None | 1 year |
| 500Mbps | $80 | 500 down, 500 up | None | 1 year |
| 1,000Mbps | $90 | 1,000 down, 1,000 up | None | 1 year |
| 2,000Mbps | $130 | 2,000 down, 2,000 up | None | 1 year |
| 5,000Mbps | $190 | 5,000 down, 5,000 up | None | 1 year |
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EarthLink's wireless internet plans vary not by speed but by the amount of data included each month. Service starts at $40 per month in most locations for speeds up to 25Mbps and 100GB of data. Higher data plans, up to unlimited, are available for an additional cost.
Satellite service may offer a bit more speed, up to 100Mbps, but at a higher price. Equipment fees and installation can also run higher with satellite internet compared twith other connection types.
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Prices start high, but don't jump higher
With EarthLink, customers pay the standard rate right from the get-go. That means you won't be able to take advantage of any cheap introductory rates like you'd get with providers like Astound or Xfinity, but also means there's no looming price increase waiting for you after a year or two of service.
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So in some cases, EarthLink may be more expensive upfront but actually turn out to be the better deal in the long run. Take a close look at the introductory and standard pricing of other providers -- and how long you anticipate having service, if possible -- to determine if it's worth paying EarthLink's standard rate from Day One.
EarthLink Wi-Fi, installation fees and data caps
Wi-Fi service is available with all EarthLink plans at no additional charge other than the equipment rental fee of $10 to $15 per month. The equipment fee is unavoidable, unfortunately, even if you would rather use your own equipment, so go ahead and factor in an additional fee to the monthly price when comparing EarthLink plans.
EarthLink installation fees
EarthLink installation fees may add between $40 and $100 to your initial costs. Actual fees will vary by location and the available connection type at your address.
In some cases, EarthLink's fee may be lower than the provider's (the one that owns the network used for service) professional installation fee. Many providers, however, waive the installation fee when you sign up or include installation at no extra cost.
No data caps, no speed throttling with fiber service
The value of EarthLink's Wi-Fi equipment and installation could be hit or miss depending on the internet options in your area. Still, one definite perk of EarthLink's fiber internet is unlimited data. You won't have to worry about a data cap or excessive fees for going over with any EarthLink plan, even if the partner provider enforces them. Additionally, EarthLink pledges never to throttle your speeds.
The unlimited data and no throttling stops there, however, as wireless internet does indeed come with a data cap and slower speeds once you've exceeded it. The best way to avoid the cap is to opt for EarthLink's unlimited plan, or choose a wireless ISP without any data caps, such as T-Mobile Home Internet or Verizon 5G Home Internet.
Comparing EarthLink to other providers
Through its partnerships with fiber-optic, wireless and satellite providers across the US, EarthLink is one of the largest ISPs in the country and thus is available in many markets where other providers also offer service.
EarthLink fiber vs. the competition
EarthLink fiber is, again, comparatively high priced. AT&T Fiber, Frontier and Verizon Fios have a lower starting price and faster max speeds with their lowest-priced plans compared with EarthLink.
EarthLink's gigabit service is priced higher than fiber providers including AT&T, Quantum Fiber and Frontier, but may be lower than gigabit service from cable providers. For example, gigabit service from Cox comes at a higher starting price than EarthLink -- and will go up even higher after 12 months while EarthLink pricing is more stable. Additionally, you're going to get much faster upload speeds with EarthLink fiber than you would with cable.
EarthLink vs. the providers it partners with
In most EarthLink service areas, you'll also have the option of the fiber-optic provider EarthLink partners with for service. When comparing EarthLink versus the primary provider, it's often more cost-effective to go with the latter, but there may be some instances where EarthLink is the more desirable service.
If you're looking for unlimited data, you may want to consider EarthLink over AT&T DSL, which comes with a monthly data limit. Or if you simply don't want to deal with the provider -- some are notorious for poor customer satisfaction -- choosing EarthLink could save you the headache.
EarthLink customer satisfaction and contact info
Customer satisfaction outlets like the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power omit EarthLink in their reports, so it's difficult to determine how real customers feel about their service.
The Better Business Bureau does give EarthLink an "A-plus" rating despite a meager customer review score. At 1.08 out of 5, EarthLink's BBB customer review score is lower than most major ISPs. Many of the reviews (over 120) and approximately 140 filed complaints reference inconsistent speeds and confusion over the data cap that comes with wireless service
It comes as little surprise that customers have an issue with speed consistency and reliability. With a variety of other providers supplying EarthLink's service, the connection quality may vary from address to address. EarthLink's outage history onDownDetector.comisn't great, often drawing hundreds of complaints.
EarthLink customer and technical support
Should customers have a problem with their service or issues with their bill, EarthLink makes it easier than most to get in touch with customer service and technical support. EarthLink customer support can be found online at support.earthlink.net, where customers can either browse popular topics or chat with a live representative.
EarthLink is also one of, if not the only, ISP that gives customers the option to text customer support in addition to calling. Customers can call the EarthLink customer service number at 888-327-8454 or text 833-458-4360.
Summing it all up
EarthLink is somewhat different in that the ISP does not technically provide internet service but instead sells service plans using the fiber-optic, wireless or satellite networks of other providers. As a result, EarthLink plans are generally higher-priced than many other providers, but there are some advantages, such as stable pricing and unlimited data, that could make the cost of service worthwhile.
EarthLink internet FAQs
What kind of internet is EarthLink?
EarthLink typically uses a fiber-optic connection to deliver internet service, but may also offer wireless options such as 4G LTE and 5G Home Internet or satellite service.
The type of EarthLink internet available at your address will depend on the networks and providers in your area. EarthLink speeds and pricing will vary by each connection type.
How much is EarthLink internet?
Like EarthLink internet speeds, pricing will vary by location. That said, monthly rates on EarthLink plans generally range between $50 and $190 per month, plus $10 to $15 for equipment rental.
There are a few factors that can affect EarthLink internet pricing, such as available speeds and the plan you choose, along with data allowances in the case of wireless internet.
Is EarthLink dial-up still available?
Dial-up internet requires little more than a phone line and a compatible modem for service, so it's possible to still get it in many areas. That said, the max speeds you get with dial-up, roughly 56Kbps, will leave you unable to perform even the most basic of internet tasks. So while dial-up may technically be available, the painfully slow speeds, not to mention the hassle and cost of finding a compatible modem, aren't worth the trouble.
