EarthLink
EarthLink was first established in 1994, back when the internet screeched upon startup and disrupted telephone calls. As time went on and the internet began evolving into what it is today, EarthLink failed to keep up. As more internet companies popped up, EarthLink quickly faded into the background.
However, all that changed in 2019 when EarthLink launched its Reconnect Campaign. After 25 years, Earthlink decided it was time to revamp and reinvent itself.
The Reconnect Campaign is all about refocusing the company’s priorities and setting EarthLink on a new (and improved) path. The company's first goal was redefining its relationship with customers. This was the main priority as the company recognizes that a business only stays in business if it has happy customers.
The next goal was to reduce complexity. EarthLink set a goal to make its services clear and concise. The final goal was to reinforce privacy, as EarthLink believes customers should be able to use the internet when and how they want to.
EarthLink offers its internet service by piggybacking off of already established DSL and fiber-optic networks. Because these networks are already up and running, EarthLink is available to residents throughout the United States.
The Good
- Simple Straightforward Internet Plans
- No Data Caps or Throttling
- No Price Hikes
Simple Straightforward Internet Plans
One of EarthLink’s campaign goals is to help you declutter. EarthLink believes in giving customers straightforward internet packages that aren’t stuffed with unnecessary add-ons. Neither does EarthLink believe in attractive (but temporary) teaser rates. EarthLink is keeping it simple with its internet packages and you only pay for what you need.
In fact, EarthLink’s HyperLink™ provides users with speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000 Mbps) — but if you don’t need that much feel free to sign up for EarthLink’s 25 Mbps or 50 Mbps plans.
No Data Caps or Throttling
Few internet companies advertise their data caps. Why? Because it limits what you can do on the internet and when you can do it. With EarthLink, you never have to worry about data caps — because there are none. EarthLink gives you the freedom to steam, watch, play, and download what you want and when you want.
No Price Hikes
EarthLink is unique in the fact that it does not offer introductory pricing. What you see is what you get. Because there is no promotion offering a low introductory price for the first year or two, there is no price hike.
The Bad
- Early Cancellation Fees
- Not Available Everywhere
Early Cancellation Fees
EarthLink’s internet packages all require users to sign up for a 12-month contract. If you manage to stick with EarthLink for the entire year, you are rewarded with no price hike. But if you end up needing to cancel within those 12 months, it will cost you.
There is little information regarding how to cancel an account or how much it will cost you on EarthLink’s website — even if you go to the FAQ page, the company doesn’t even have an article explaining how to start the process of canceling.
If you want to cancel you have to call and speak with a customer service agent. If you want to find out how much it will cost you to cancel, again you’ll have to call and speak to a customer service representative.
Although there is nothing stating this on the website, our research team has found several reviews in which EarthLink customers stated they paid around $200 to cancel their account.
Not Available Everywhere
Though EarthLink is available in a decent amount of cities and towns, it’s not available everywhere. Therefore, we recommend entering your address on EarthLink’s website to see if its internet services are available to you.
The Bottom Line
EarthLink is a top internet service provider that consumers rely on for fast, secure, and reliable internet.
In 1994, EarthLink was a pioneer in the internet industry; however, after failing to keep up with the quickly growing industry, EarthLink slipped into the shadows.
But that all changed in 2019 when EarthLink launched its Reconnect Campaign. This campaign was designed to overhaul the way the company operated and give it a much-needed update. Today, EarthLink offers simple and straightforward internet packages, no data caps, throttling, price hikes, or unnecessary bundles.
EarthLink’s partnerships with DSL and fiber-optic providers across the United States give it a decent service range. However, EarthLink is not available everywhere, so make sure you enter your address and check to see if EarthLink’s internet service is available in your area.
Message from
EarthLink
Oh, we can connect you to high speed fiber at great rates. That’s the easy part. EarthLink is so much more than that, however, and it starts by valuing your privacy and security above everything else.
EarthLink has partnered with Norton 360 and LifeLock to offer residential and business security solutions to meet demands of the modern internet.
