✦ Edited and fact-checked by Tech Editor Eric Chiu, our resident tech expert with over ten years of covering home internet and streaming.
EarthLink offers one of the most distinctive service offerings in the internet industry. Instead of spending billions digging trenches to lay its own physical cables, EarthLink acts as a network connector. It rents bandwidth on existing fiber, DSL, and wireless networks owned by giants like AT&T, Verizon, and CenturyLink, wrapping it all up in EarthLink’s signature customer service.
Because EarthLink rides on other networks, your available plans, speeds, and reliability will depend entirely on the infrastructure already wired into your neighborhood. Here is an in-depth breakdown of EarthLink’s 5G, fiber, and satellite internet offerings to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your home.
How much does EarthLink fiber internet cost?
| Plan | Monthly price* | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber 100 | $39.95/mo. | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Budget-conscious solo users and light streaming |
| Fiber 300 | $49.95/mo. | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Standard households with 3–5 devices |
| Fiber 500 | $79.95/mo. | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Smart homes and frequent large file downloads |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $74.95/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | Multi-device families and heavy 4K streaming |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $129.95/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | Hardcore gamers and home offices |
| Fiber 5 Gig | $189.95/mo. | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | Ultimate power users wanting future-proof speeds |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where EarthLink hooks into a local fiber network, this is the service to get.
EarthLink Fiber offers 100% symmetrical speeds, meaning your upload speeds are just as lightning fast as your downloads.
This is a massive upgrade over traditional cable internet, making it ideal for smooth video calls, lag-free gaming, and instant cloud backups.
How much does EarthLink 5G Home Internet cost?
| Plan | Monthly price* | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5G Home Internet | $59.95/mo. | Up to 425 Mbps | Up to 15 Mbps | Households and small families who need affordable home internet |
Data effective as of publish date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
If hardwired fiber hasn’t reached your street yet, EarthLink’s 5G Home Internet can be the next best thing.
Instead of relying on physical phone or TV lines, this service captures wireless internet signals from nearby mobile cell towers to power your home Wi-Fi network.
Along with unlimited data, keep the following aspects of EarthLink 5G Home Internet in mind.
- No contracts: Unlike EarthLink’s wired plans, the 5G Home Internet service lets you skip the long-term commitment, operating on a flexible month-to-month basis.
- Easy setup: There’s no need to wait around for a technician. EarthLink ships you a wireless gateway plug, and you can self-install the entire system in about 15 minutes just by placing it near a window and plugging it into the wall.
- The catch: Because it relies on cellular signals, your speeds can fluctuate slightly depending on weather, line of sight to the tower, and how many of your neighbors are online at the same time.
What about EarthLink satellite or DSL internet?
For rural households or older neighborhoods where modern fiber and 5G networks are unavailable, EarthLink offers additional connection options to keep you online.
- EarthLink satellite internet: By partnering with satellite networks like Viasat, EarthLink provides nationwide coverage to the most remote corners of the country with pricing starting at $59.95/mo. Unlike many satellite providers that hit you with strict data limits and heavy overage penalties, EarthLink offers unlimited data, though it requires a 12-month contract.
- EarthLink DSL internet: EarthLink technically offers traditional DSL internet over copper telephone lines. These plans cost a flat $64.95/mo. for speeds ranging anywhere from 18 Mbps to 75 Mbps. However, these plans are highly outdated compared to modern internet technologies, and EarthLink has largely replaced them with its 5G home internet service.
Interested in EarthLink? Enter your zip code below to see plans in your area.
EarthLink plans FAQ
How does EarthLink provide nationwide coverage without owning its own lines?
EarthLink operates as a "network aggregator." Instead of laying physical cables underground, EarthLink partners with major telecom networks — like AT&T, CenturyLink, and Verizon — and rents space on their lines. EarthLink then packages this access with its own customer service and billing structure, allowing it to offer internet to over 96% of the country.
Can I save money by using my own modem and router?
Not exactly. EarthLink requires a mandatory $14.95/mo. equipment rental fee for its wired internet gateways, and you cannot opt out of this charge to lower your bill. But you can plug your own personal mesh Wi-Fi system or high-end router into the EarthLink gateway if you prefer to use your own hardware for home coverage.
Does EarthLink have data caps?
No. One of EarthLink's best perks is that every single plan comes with truly unlimited data. You can stream, game, and download as much as you want without worrying about speed throttling or overage fees.
Is EarthLink good for gaming?
EarthLink Fiber is excellent for gaming because it offers low latency and symmetrical upload/download speeds. EarthLink 5G Home Internet and DSL are fine for casual gaming, but satellite plans will suffer from high latency, which can cause noticeable lag in fast-paced online multiplayer games.
*with a 12-month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas.
†DSL and Fiber Plans require a 12-month contract and may have a cancellation fee to be determined upon cancellation.
