| Comparison Feature |
AT&T Internet |
EarthLink Internet |
| Service Footprint |
21 States (Primary regional network) |
All 50 States (Nationwide wholesale aggregator) |
| Primary Connection Types |
Pure Fiber (FTTH), 5G Internet Air, IPBB |
Pure Fiber, DSL, Fixed Wireless, Satellite |
| Starting Fiber Price (AutoPay) |
$55.00/mo (Fiber 300) |
$39.95–$59.95/mo (Introductory Fiber 100/300) |
| Download Speeds |
300 Mbps – 5,000 Mbps (5 Gig) |
100 Mbps – 5,000 Mbps (5 Gig) |
| Upload Speeds |
300 Mbps – 5,000 Mbps (Symmetrical) |
100 Mbps – 5,000 Mbps (Symmetrical on Fiber) |
| Data Allowance |
Unlimited Data on Fiber / Internet Air |
Unlimited Data on all Fiber/DSL plans |
| Wi-Fi Equipment Cost |
$0.00/mo (Included with Fiber) |
$14.95/mo (Rental) or $74.95 to purchase |
| Service Contract Required? |
No Contracts (Month-to-month) |
12-Month Agreement (Up to $200 ETF) |
| Professional Install Fee |
$99.00 (Free standard self-install) |
$19.95–$79.95 (Varies by plan) |
| Mobile Bundle Perks |
Save 20% on Home Internet |
No native cellular mobile network |
| Best For |
Lower overall costs, $0 equipment, mobile bundling |
Broad availability, dedicated human phone support |
1. Network Infrastructure: Builder vs. Reseller
AT&T Builds and Owns the Lines: AT&T operates its own tier-1 telecommunications network, running high-speed fiber-optic cabling and mid-band 5G cellular infrastructure across 21 primary states.
EarthLink Wholesale Network Capacity: EarthLink owns very little physical transmission wiring. Instead, it leases network capacity from major infrastructure owners—primarily AT&T, Frontier, CenturyLink/Brightspeed, and Viasat.
The Performance Reality: If you order EarthLink Fiber in an AT&T territory, a technician will connect you to an AT&T fiber optic terminal. Network performance, speeds, and ping are nearly identical, but your monthly billing and customer service route through EarthLink.
Cut Out The Middleman
Why Pay EarthLink More for AT&T's Own Fiber Lines?
If EarthLink offers you fiber internet, it is almost certainly running on AT&T's physical network. Call an authorized specialist to check direct AT&T availability, avoid the $14.95/mo router fee, and lock in direct pricing starting at $55/mo.
Toll-free • Direct carrier database check • Zero reseller fees
2. Fiber Plans & Pricing: Real Costs with Hardware Included
While introductory sticker prices appear close, equipment fees create a large gap in overall monthly expenses:
Real Monthly Cost Comparison: AT&T Direct vs. EarthLink Reseller
Hardware & Fees Included
| Speed Tier |
AT&T Fiber (Total Monthly Cost) |
EarthLink Fiber (With $14.95 Modem Fee) |
Annual Direct Savings |
Order Direct |
| 100 Mbps Plan |
N/A (AT&T starts at 300M) |
~$54.90/mo
($39.95 base + $14.95 modem) |
Get 3x speed with AT&T |
Call AT&T |
300 Mbps Fiber
Best Value Starter |
$55.00/mo
$0 Hardware Fee Included |
~$69.90/mo
($54.95 base + $14.95 modem) |
Save $178.80 / year |
Call to Order |
500 Mbps Fiber
High-Demand Homes |
$65.00/mo
$0 Hardware Fee Included |
~$79.90/mo
($64.95 base + $14.95 modem) |
Save $178.80 / year |
Call to Order |
1 Gig (1,000 Mbps) ⭐
Top Recommendation |
$80.00 – $85.00/mo
$0 Hardware • $150 Card |
~$94.90 – $104.90/mo
($79.95+ base + $14.95 modem) |
Save $180 – $300 / year |
Order Direct |
2 Gig Tier
Multi-Gigabit Power |
$145.00 – $150.00/mo
$0 Hardware Fee |
~$174.90 – $204.90/mo
($159.95+ base + $14.95 modem) |
Save $360 – $660 / year |
Call to Order |
5 Gig Tier
Ultimate Bandwidth |
$245.00 – $250.00/mo
$0 Hardware Fee |
~$304.90/mo
($289.95 base + $14.95 modem) |
Save $660 – $720 / year |
Call to Order |
*AT&T prices include AutoPay & Paperless billing discount. EarthLink prices reflect published promotional rates plus mandatory $14.95/mo router fee. 12-month contract required with EarthLink.
-
AT&T All-Inclusive Pricing: AT&T provides its Wi-Fi gateway (BGW320) for $0/mo, meaning the advertised monthly rate is what you pay.
-
EarthLink Equipment Add-On: EarthLink adds a mandatory $14.95/mo modem rental fee, increasing the true annual cost by nearly $180/year.
3. Contracts, Early Termination Fees & Data Caps
Contracts & Cancellation:
AT&T: 100% contract-free for residential broadband. You can cancel at any time with zero early termination penalties.
EarthLink: Requires a 12-month service contract. Canceling before your 1-year agreement ends triggers an early termination fee of up to $200.
Data Caps:
AT&T: Unlimited data on all Fiber tiers and Internet Air. (Legacy copper/DSL plans maintain a 1.5 TB cap).
EarthLink: Zero data caps and no throttling thresholds on any fiber or wired DSL tier.
4. Customer Support & Add-On Services
EarthLink Customer Support Edge: EarthLink’s primary selling proposition is high-touch customer care. It offers dedicated domestic call support lines, remote device troubleshooting via the EarthLink EasyTech app ($9.95/mo), and integrated cybersecurity tools (EarthLink Protect+ and Guardian).
AT&T Mobile Ecosystem: AT&T offers unmatched bundling power through its wireless division. Pairing AT&T Fiber with an eligible postpaid unlimited cellular line saves 20% each month on home internet ($11.00 to $50.00/mo in savings). EarthLink does not operate a cellular network.
5. Pros and Cons Summary
AT&T Internet
Pros: $0 equipment fees, no annual contracts, lower monthly total, 20% wireless bundle discount, and Visa reward cards on signup.
Cons: Fiber footprint limited to 21 states; DSL fallback speeds are slow in non-fiber zones.
EarthLink Internet
Pros: Available nationwide across all 50 states via partner leasing, unlimited data on all plans, and responsive technical customer support.
Cons: $14.95/mo equipment rental fee, mandatory 12-month contracts with $200 cancellation penalties, and higher overall cost for identical fiber lines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does EarthLink use AT&T fiber lines?
Yes. In many markets within AT&T's 21-state territory, EarthLink leases bandwidth directly from AT&T's physical fiber-optic lines to deliver service to homes.
Is AT&T cheaper than EarthLink?
Yes. When factoring in EarthLink's $14.95/mo modem rental fee, AT&T Fiber is typically $15.00 to $25.00 cheaper per month for the exact same speed tiers.
Does AT&T charge an early cancellation fee?
No. AT&T residential internet plans operate on a month-to-month basis with zero contracts or early termination fees. EarthLink requires a 12-month contract with termination fees up to $200.
