EarthLink vs Spectrum: Side-by-Side Comparison

EarthLink has the nation’s third-largest fiber network by coverage area and is also the second-largest provider of residential DSL Internet by coverage area. Availability for either Internet type will still vary by location. Customers with fiber connections can access Internet speeds up to 5 Gbps. EarthLink provides Internet, phone, and TV services.

Spectrum is an Internet, cable TV, and telephone provider that uses cable connections almost exclusively for residential Internet. The company is the second-largest cable provider in the United States by coverage area. Spectrum offers more than two dozen pricing options for high-speed Internet service, either alone or bundled with TV and phone service. Package availability varies by location.

EarthLink vs Spectrum: Extra Fees and Contracts

Installation

EarthLink’s installation setup is dependent on the type of Internet plan. Installation fees vary from $39.95-$79.95. EarthLink Fiber plans have a $39.95 installation fee, while EarthLink Wireless Home Internet has a $79.95 installation charge. All EarthLink installation packages include WiFi service.

Spectrum Internet^® customers are offered a free modem with both self-installation and professional installation options. Professional installation is a one-time fee of $49.99. Customers may also opt for the self-installation option for a one-time WiFi activation charge of $24.99. Households can also rent a WiFi router for a $5 monthly fee from Spectrum.

Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print

Currently, all EarthLink Internet plans require a 12-month contract. Customers who cancel their service before their contract ends face early termination fees of up to $200. EarthLink contracts require that customers use the company-provided modem for a rental fee of $12.95 per month. All EarthLink equipment must be returned upon cancellation, or the customer will be charged additional fees.

As a contract-free provider, Spectrum subscribers pay for their service from month to month and are not required to sign a contract of any duration. Thus, accounts may be cancelled at any time without penalty. Spectrum often offers new customers lower promotional rates for the first 12 months followed by a rate increase of as much as $20 per month when the promotional term ends.

Data Caps

All EarthLink Internet plans allow customers to enjoy unlimited downloading, uploading, and streaming. No data caps are placed on user data. This makes EarthLink a suitable choice for households with multiple power-Internet users that may stream a lot of games, movies, or television.

Like EarthLink, Spectrum does not limit the amount of data its customers can upload or download. In fact, Spectrum is prohibited from adding data caps to its Internet plans by an agreement with the FCC.