Earthlink Internet - Is it a good option for me?

You may have seen Earthlink recently pop up as an available internet option in your area. You probably haven't, but that's why I'm here.

The good news is I am going to let you know everything you need to know about Earthlink Internet.

Let's start by going over HOW Earthlink popped up everywhere. Earthlink cut a surprisingly clever deal with AT&T, Frontier, Verizon, T-Mobile, CenturyLink, and more to share their lines and service footprint. They now service 96% of the nation and offer speeds from 10 Mbps up to 5 Gbps. They have Wireless LTE service, DSL, Fiber, and even Satellite Internet available to customers.

This is good news is if you've been stuck with a certain provider and they've left a bad taste in your mouth for whatever reason - you now have options.

One of the key takeaways here is: Earthlink is dedicated to providing outstanding customer service and the overall customer experience.

"At EarthLink, we’re more than just your provider – we’re your internet partner...Unlike the others, you’re never just a number to us. We pride ourselves on unparalleled customer service, expert technicians, and competitively priced, customized bundles. We also guarantee no price hikes for 2 years after sign-up." -Earthlink's Website

Let's break this down:

Unparalleled Customer Service - EarthLink is undefeated in terms of customer service. It has been the top ranked provider overall in annual customer satisfaction surveys for the past three years. Although it has slightly higher prices compared with many other ISPs, EarthLink customers love their provider. EarthLink has an A+ rating with the BBB. Compared to other Providers out there.. that is outstanding. That means you can expect EarthLink to exceed your customer service expectations, and if/when there is an outage or issue with your service - it will be restored in a timely manner.

Expert Technicians - This is where it gets a little tricky. Since they are sharing the footprint and lines from other ISPs, they are also using their installers and 3rd party installers. Now they may be experts, but you will see a AT&T or 'insert ISP' truck/installer out at your house to install your Earthlink Internet. This is not a big deal to me. Many companies are using 3rd party installers and contracted employees to install their services. What I do take from this is Earthlink installs may take a second priority when it comes to installation. I cannot guarantee the installation time and window that you receive, but if it is another company coming out to install the service for a "shared" service then I can't imagine the urgency is there.

Competitively Priced - For what you are getting from Earthlink IT IS competitively priced. If you are in a fiber area and are able to get 2 - 5 Gbps then you are one of the lucky ones. You may be paying $5-$10 extra per month compared to other ISPs, but the trade off with the customer service and getting out of that bad relationship you're currently in (the other ISP) is well worth it. I find that a little extra on the front end with Earthlink goes a long way in regards to your sanity and stress level. Have you been stuck with one provider just hoping you for an out? Now is your chance.

EarthLink Internet Contracts and Data Caps.

EarthLink contracts typically last one year. If you cancel your EarthLink internet plan before that year is up, you’ll have to pay an early termination fee (ETF). But unlike most other ISPs, EarthLink has no data caps. That means you can download or upload as much data as you want without accruing fees or losing internet speed, otherwise known as throttling.

Why You Might Want to Sign a Contract With EarthLink Internet

EarthLink’s no-nonsense contracts allow customers to focus on one thing: internet service. If you know you are going to be at the same location for at least a year then this is a great option. You do not have to worry about an increased rate because your promotional price just vanished. You can walk away after the year is up or renew. It's completely up to you.

Why You Might NOT Want to Sign a Contract With EarthLink Internet

If you are on the fence about the "C word" then I would explore some other options (we can help). Are you going to be living at this address for less than 12 months? Then of course, I would consider a non-contract provider/package.

How does it stack up against the major competitors?

Earthlink compared to ATT — AT&T Vs. Earthlink

Customer rating is a big one, but these are pretty close. Also, the prices are very similar as well. The main takeaway would be the 1 year contract. So, if you can deal with an agreement and receive better customer service that other ISPs - I say go for it.

Spectrum compared to Earthlink — Earthlink Vs. Spectrum

Another close one in the customer rating. Spectrum does not offer fiber so you are seeing the fiber pricing (5 Gbps $189.95) from Earthlink vs Spectrum's gig pricing (940 Mbps $89.99). Another thing to note is that Spectrum does not have contracts - with a DSL or Fiber connection from Earthlink you will have a 1 year contract. You will need to factor in the price of the router as well, that is $8.95 monthly on any service plan.

In conclusion:

EarthLink is one of the most widespread internet providers in the US, offering service in all 50 states. It does this by renting connections from service providers. Offering service through multiple networks means connection speeds and reliability can vary, but EarthLink’s focus on customer service allows the provider to address outages and other issues quickly.

Why choose EarthLink?

EarthLink is the provider for people who want internet without the hassle. EarthLink focuses on excellent customer service and responding to issues as soon as they pop up. EarthLink has a wide range of plans, including fiber plans that offer the best value for speed and reliability.

Pros: