Earthlink is among the oldest and most popular ISP companies that function in the United States. It was established in 1994 and provides dial-up, DSL, cable internet, and fiber optic internet service provider to consumers in the USA. But is Earthlink a legit and credible service provider in today’s world full of internet providers? So, below I will provide a detailed guide on Earthlink's history, services, prices, customer service, and anything else you might want or need to know to determine if this provider is for you.
A Long History
As earlier said, Earthlink is much older than most of its competitors in the ISP industry. It was one of the largest national consumer ISPs during the dial-up period of the 1990s and early 2000s. Although it has modified some plans in the past twenty years to remain competitive in the broadband era, it has still retained many loyal consumers. This is the reason why for many, this long track record is beneficial as it establishes trust and a sort of recognition.
Decent Availability
At inception, it was a nationwide service provider, with the brand name Earthlink. As of today, its wired internet availability is not as widespread as in the past but is still relatively good. Earthlink has cable internet services in approximately 40 states with approximately 50% penetration into households. Although it has a less extensive DSL, it is in and around some major cities. Fiber optic plans are even more limited and are present in portions of California, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Alabama. Therefore coverage can be different for very nearby locations.
Variety of Speeds
Earthlink provides both, economy-wired internet connection with speeds ranging from 3-5 Mbps to ultra high-speed connection plans which go up to 100+ Mbps. Particular choices vary according to the market. The company rather offers relatively fast speeds compared to other options within the regions they operate in. Of course, fiber optic connectivity offers the highest rates when used, but not every region has access to it.
Reliable Performance
Earthlink as a longtime ISP with dependable networks is given average ratings by customers for speed, and frequency of outages. However, connection reliability takes a bit of a hit in the lower-tier plans that usually have slower speeds. However, on faster cable and fiber optic packages, the users often get a good connection and stability for work video streaming, gaming, and smart home applications among others.
Mid-Range Pricing
What is the cost of the Earthlink internet service compared to those of other internet service providers? Earthlink tends to land squarely in the middle of the road when it comes to monthly pricing.
- Economy-wired plans that can cost as low as $40-50 per month are also available. The most basic budget services offer the lowest speed.
- Cable and DSL broadband plans fall in the mid-tier range of $50 – $75 per month.
- Internet connection for high-speed fiber and cable packages costs between $80 and 140 per month.
That is, Earthlink is not the cheapest ISP out there in the strictest sense of the word. However, its prices are relatively reasonable, have acceptable value for money depending on the connection options and stability, and the company often offers promotions for new connections.
Strong Customer Support
Besides the issue of reasonable prices, Earthlink gets a lot of commendation for helpful and easily accessible customer service support. They provide support by phone, chat, text, and email, and have access to the knowledge base and other users. The tech support employees are all from the United States and are well-equipped to address connection problems or account concerns.
Bonus Security Features
Another one from Earthlink picked them as an ISP is that they offer a few additional security features with all their internet plans for free. These are anti-virus, parental control, identity theft protection, and device and network filtering beyond baseline internet service.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the answer to the questions like “Is Earthlink a scam?” or “Is Earthlink legit?” is positive. They have remained relevant in the industry which is known for volatility, offer wired internet services at fairly affordable rates, and have great customer support. Nevertheless, not all plans are offered, but Earthlink is still one of the most reliable and recognized ISPs within its coverage area. Taking into consideration that the services it offers provide a good balance of fast delivery, low cost, and reliable connection to the internet which is supplemented by increased security meeting the needs of most families and small businesses in today’s world.
Call (866) 240-0701 to get a new Earthlink connection now!
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