Fidium Fiber vs. EarthLink Internet Providers Compared

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Fidium Fiber Vs EarthLink

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Rosslyn Elliott

Written by Rosslyn Elliott - Pub. Jul. 27, 2023 / Updated Oct. 16, 2024

You are currently comparing:

Fidium Fiber Vs EarthLink

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Plans starting at: $25

Popular Package: Futuristic 2 Gigs

Download speeds up to: 2 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

Plans starting at: $49.95

Popular Package: EarthLink Fiber 5Gx5G

Download speeds up to: 5 Gbps

Connection Types: Fiber

Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Staff rating

4.3

New kid on the block: Fidium Fiber offers good pricing, fast fiber

Fidium Fiber is a new fiber internet service provider that launched in late 2021. Fidium Fiber is currently available in 8 states: California, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vermont [1]. Prices are good for all Fidium Fiber plans, with their lowest-priced plan starting at 100 Mbps. Maximum gigabit speeds go up to 2000 Mbps at monthly prices that are very competitive for that level of speed. A Wi-Fi 6 gateway rental is included with the monthly fee, and Fidium Fiber requires no contracts or data caps. 

PROS

Great prices including an “essential” plan priced for smaller budgets Fast symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gigs Free installation and equipment loan

Cons

Only available in 8 states Limited company track record due to newness to industry Mixed user reviews for customer service
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Staff rating

3.5

Earthlink is known for great customer service but higher initial prices

Earthlink’s chief difference from most other national ISPs is that Earthlink is a third-party seller. In other words, Earthlink is partnering with other major internet companies who actually provide the technology for your internet service. Your service through Earthlink might come from AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier, Verizon, or Viasat. That means your type of connection through Earthlink can vary from super-fast fiber internet all the way to slower satellite internet. You will know which type of internet connection you are purchasing when you sign up for service. Just as with any other provider, you will have an idea of your approximate speed and performance when you buy. The catch is, you will pay more because Earthlink doesn’t own the networks it uses. Why would you choose a service that costs more? Well, Earthlink is known for very solid customer service in an industry that has historically struggled in that area [1]. And Earthlink offers service in less-populated areas without many other providers. That means there may be some places where Earthlink is one of your top options for internet speed or reliability.

PROS

Widespread coverage across the nation High ratings for customer service No data caps on fiber plans

Cons

As a 3rd party seller, tech outcomes will vary Prices are higher than most Plans vary significantly by region
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Pricing

4.0

Fidium Fiber’s pricing is simple, transparent, and matches other best deals

Fidium Fiber offers prices that are good across the board, with no hidden fees. The entry-level plan currently starting at $25/month offers 100 Mbps download and upload speeds. For families on tight budgets, this is one of the most affordable first-tier plan prices you’ll find in the industry. With those symmetrical speeds, you will get very good internet performance for activities such as videoconferencing. Fidium Fiber’s faster speed plans are also good deals. At $70/month for 2000 Mbps, these are fiber prices that can compete with any other fiber pricing nationwide. Best of all, you will get transparent, simple pricing from Fidium Fiber that is much easier to understand than the complex pricing of many other ISPs. Fidium Fiber requires no contracts, no bundling, and no data caps. That means you won’t face bills with unexpected overage charges or early termination fees. You also won’t have the usual $100 installation cost for new internet, as Fidium Fiber offers free professional installation. Fidium Fiber will include the use of a modem/router with your monthly plan price.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Pricing

3.0

Earthlink will charge you more initially, but prices even out by the second or third year

Many internet service providers will offer you a great promotional price for a year or two, but then raise prices much higher. Earthlink will not offer you initial promotional prices, so their plans may initially give you sticker shock. For initial prices, Earthlink will charge you more for every type of internet service: fiber, fixed wireless, or satellite. But in some cases, over the course of a few years, you may even end up saving a little money with Earthlink. Only a head-to-head comparison of specific providers in your area will tell you, so check out our price plan comparisons using your zip code.

Pricing will also vary significantly based on your internet connection type

The biggest difference between Earthlink plans is whether your chosen plan has a data cap. Earthlink Fiber internet won’t have data caps. Earthlink satellite internet and fixed wireless (4G LTE or 5G) will have data caps. If you have a plan with data caps, you may end up having to buy extra data at the end of the month. Because of these unpredictable charges, satellite pricing and fixed wireless pricing for Earthlink are less stable than for their other plans. But here’s an unusual benefit of Earthlink Wireless Home Internet. Most Earthlink plans require a one-year contract, but Earthlink’s Wireless Home Internet plans do not require a contract [2].
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Reliability and Performance

4.8

Fidium Fiber brings fiber’s speed and reliability to new service areas

Fidium Fiber offers to bring you symmetrical speeds between 100 Mbps and 2000 Mbps depending on your plan. That’s great news if you live in a town that hasn’t had fiber internet before. For example, fiber internet is often not available in rural states such as Maine and Vermont. But Fidium Fiber continues to build fiber infrastructure in those states to add more towns to its coverage area [2]. Some Fidium Fiber customers have said that they are not getting their promised speeds, but others report being very satisfied [3]. If you have any doubts, you can test your actual speed here to see what kind of performance your current internet connection is giving you.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Reliability and Performance

3.5

Earthlink’s performance depends completely on the networks of major partners

One of Earthlink’s claims to fame is having “the largest network,” because Earthlink serves 90% of the United States [1]. The reality is that Earthlink does have a very large coverage area, but Earthlink does not own the networks in those areas. Differences between Earthlink’s partner networks will mean that your internet speed and performance will vary if you sign up with Earthlink. Just like Earthlink’s pricing, the quality of the service they can deliver depends on other providers. Most of the time, this works out fine because Earthlink partners with reputable ISPs. But Earthlink does not have control over your service, and that can be a disadvantage if something goes wrong. If you get Earthlink Fiber, you are probably going to be happy with your speed and reliability. Fiber is known for these advantages. Earthlink satellite or fixed wireless will often be too slow for real-timeactivities such as real-time gaming or videoconferencing. Reliability issues are going to be more likely with Earthlink’s satellite internet or Wireless Home Internet. Both satellite and wireless internet can be affected by weather. Fixed wireless can also slow down at peak times when thenetwork is congested with more traffic. Satellite internet tends to have high latency, which means a slight lag in the transmission of a signal. Latency is not noticeable for many internet activities but may affect real-time data transfer for gaming and videoconferencing.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

4.3

Free installation, free equipment loan with Fidium Fiber internet plans

Several fiber ISPs will offer you good promotional prices and no contracts. They may even offer no data caps, as Fidium Fiber does. But very few ISPs also offer free installation for all their plans. The free installation for Fidium Fiber is a nice touch that means you don’t have to invest up front to get Fidium Fiber. Fidium Fiber will give you free use of a Wi-Fi 6 Gateway and a whole-home Attune Wi-Fi app that will allow you to control all your devices. If you have smart home devices, the app will be especially useful. But it’s also nice to have a network management app when you want to adjust your settings without logging in to your router.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Equipment, Installation and Bonus Features

3.0

Earthlink’s installation fees and equipment fees vary

We can't give a score for any kind of consistent pricing or equipment fees because of Earthlink's 3rd party seller business model. Earthlink’s lower rating from us in this category results from the lack of simple, freely available information on pricing and fees on their website, as well as their higher prices for equipment and installation. This lack of transparency is one of the weaknesses of the telecom industry. We recommend that Earthlink, along with other internet providers, begin to be much more straightforward about which services are available across the United States and how much they cost in each area. Satellite equipment will cost you considerably more if you buy it upfront, which is typical of satellite. Earthlink will offer you the option to rent the equipment if that is more feasible. Satellite equipment will come from Viasat, Earthlink’s satellite internet partner. Because Viasat’s equipment fees are $12.99/month or $299.99 prepaid, consumers should estimate that Earthlink’s fees for Viasat equipment will be similar or slightly higher [3]. Earthlink’s bonus services include Easy Tech for unlimited tech support at $9.95 a month. Earthlink Guardian provides parental monitoring, Earthlink Protect gives security protection, and Earthlink Online Backup will protect you from data loss.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Experience & Support

4.0

Reviews are mixed for Fidium Fiber’s customer service and operations

Fidium Fiber doesn’t yet have a large enough customer base to qualify for one of the major national customer satisfaction reviews such as the J.D. Power Survey. Fidium Fiber does have over 1 million fiber passings (or potential connections for customers) thanks to its buildout. But Fidium Fiber is still a relatively small provider, reporting approximately 123,000 fiber broadband customers at the end of 2022 [4]. Even though Fidium Fiber doesn’t yet show up in major national surveys, you can still find a number of user reviews online in various forums. A casual scan shows the usual bumps in the road for a new provider without a long history of successful operations. Some customers say they do not get their service installed quickly and don’t get satisfactory responses from the company. Others say they don’t get promised speeds. But an equal number seem to feel that they are getting a better deal for their money and better performance than with their previous providers [5]. Overall, it seems likely that Fidium Fiber is providing good service to many customers, but still ironing out kinks in its operations, staffing, and support.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Experience & Support

4.5

Earthlink is known above all for superior customer service

When you research Earthlink online, you will see that Earthlink survives on its customer service. The company gets good, solid ratings for customer service, where many ISPs fall far short. That means that if you call Earthlink, odds are that you will be satisfied with what they do for you. There are just a couple of caveats to that recommendation. First, some customers report that their customer service has been routed to Earthlink’s partner providers, which removes the whole point of having Earthlink service if you’re seeking their brand of better customer service. Second, Earthlink acknowledged beginning to “reshore” its service in September 2021, which implicitly reveals that the company had offshored its customer service [4]. Offshoring customer service to foreign countries is not only potentially frustrating for the customer, but worse for U.S. workers. Many internet providers now base their customer service in the United States, and we hope Earthlink will be sure to provide its own customer support from within the country.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit FidiumFiberSavings.com.
Gigabit internet refers to extremely fast internet speeds. Fidium Fiber internet offers upload and download speeds of up to [prov-hiprsp nation="yes" provider="fidium-fiber"] megabits per second. This means you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, smooth gaming, seamless video calls, and speedy software updates for your devices.
Gigabit internet is worth it if you have multiple devices connected to your network, work or take classes online, make video calls, provide tech support for your family's internet issues, have gamers or social media influencers in your household, or use smart home devices. Gigabit fiber internet from Fidium Fiber offers faster speeds, increased reliability, and unlimited virtual bandwidth, making it an excellent choice for those seeking optimal internet performance.
Modifying your Fidium Fiber service is simple. You can easily upgrade, change, or move your service by contacting the Fidium Fiber Insider Portal, which helps you with your billing and services. They will assist you in making the necessary changes to meet your specific needs.
If you encounter any service issues or want to report an outage in your area, Fidium Fiber offers quick assistance. You can reach out to their support team through provided channels online or by phone to report the service issue or outage.
A dedicated fiber internet connection offers numerous benefits. It provides faster speeds and increased reliability compared to other types of internet connections. With fiber internet, you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming, lag-free gaming, and quick downloads/uploads. Additionally, fiber-optic connections are less susceptible to interference and offer higher bandwidth capacity, making them ideal for businesses that rely on seamless online operations.
The Attune™ Wi-Fi App allows you to easily manage your network and connected devices. You can explore various settings and features within the app, such as network access customization, speed tests for accurate results, creating profiles to manage household devices, setting up advanced security features, implementing parental controls, blocking or approving websites, troubleshooting connection issues, and reporting service issues or outages. The app provides a user-friendly interface for convenient network management.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink FAQ's

To order or learn more, call the number on this page or visit EarthlinkDeals.com.
Earthlink provides a variety of internet technologies in different regions. Earthlink’s offerings include fiber and DSL connections, with fiber providing much higher speeds than DSL. Earthlink is a third-party provider, which means they are using infrastructure owned by other companies to manage your internet service. The infrastructure they use varies from location to location.
If you have any inquiries or need assistance, you can easily contact Earthlink's customer service. They offer multiple channels of support, including phone, email, and online chat on their website. Their dedicated team is ready to help you with any concerns you may have. Earthlink is known for having one of the best customer support systems in the industry.
No, Earthlink does not impose data caps on their fiber and DSL internet plans. You can enjoy unlimited data usage without worrying about additional charges or restrictions on your internet usage.
Earthlink’s installation fee will vary based on your internet type. The fee is often between $40 and $80, which is lower than some competitors’ fees.
To check the availability of Earthlink internet in your area, simply enter your zip code here at CompareInternet.com. You can find out if Earthlink services are accessible in your location and determine the best internet plan for your needs. Because Earthlink uses the infrastructure of other ISPs, they have wide availability in 48 states.
Yes, Earthlink will support your home Wi-Fi. Earthlink supplies a Wi-Fi modem combo that will ensure compatibility.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Accolades

Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Accolades

Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
FREE installation!
Futuristic 2 GigsFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $70
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
FREE installation!
Supreme 1 GigFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $50
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
FREE installation!
Advanced 300 MbpsFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $30
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
FREE installation!
Essential 100 MbpsFiber InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $25
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Internet Plans

PlanService TypeDownload SpeedMonthly Price
EarthLink Fiber 5Gx5GFiber InternetUp to 5,000 Mbps Only $189.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 2Gx2GFiber InternetUp to 2,000 Mbps Only $129.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 1Gx1GFiber InternetUp to 1,000 Mbps Only $79.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 300Mx300MFiber InternetUp to 300 Mbps Only $49.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 100Mx100MFiber InternetUp to 100 Mbps Only $59.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
EarthLink Fiber 500Mx500MFiber InternetUp to 500 Mbps Only $64.95
*Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561

Fidium Fiber Customers Review

4.0
Pricing
4.0
4.8
Reliability & Performance
4.8
4.3
Equipment, Installation & Features
4.3
4.0
Customer Experience & Support
4.0
4.3
Overall Rating
4.3
Connie S
2.5
from Guildhall, on October 2024
Hooked up for two weeks no cell no landline and every 5 minutes have to reboot system to get tv
Brandt Vinkemeier
1.0
from Nicollet, on October 2024
I have no complaint about the quality of internet but when it comes to customer service and taking responsibility for issues THEY ARE LESS THAN A 1 STAR. Woke up one morning and the Internet was not working so I called in to see what the issue was. Rep could not figure it out said it looked like it went off at 1am. So they scheduled a Tech to come out. The tech checked everything and said he found no issue so he called into the service department. They find out for some odd reason that Fidium had turned off our account. No explanation why. So they turned it backon and it was fine. The issue is that my wife and I both work from home so we had no Internet all day and could not work. This cost us hundreds of dollars for a lost day. I requested one free month as reimbursement (total of $80). The account person Wanda said no way and she would offer me $10 credit?? What a joke the issue was solely Fidium's fault and cost us money but you offer $10. Absolute slap in the face! Would not recommend them to anyone!
Charlotte Cox
4.3
from Atkinson, NH on January 2023
Kenneth Hill
5.0
from Unknown, IL on April 2022
Harper Davis
4.3
from Manchester, NH on September 2021
Call today & find the best Fidium Fiber internet deals
1-833-440-3193

EarthLink Customers Review

3.0
Pricing
3.0
3.5
Reliability & Performance
3.5
3.0
Equipment, Installation & Features
3.0
4.5
Customer Experience & Support
4.5
3.5
Overall Rating
3.5
Brian Wick
1.0
from Springfield, on October 2024
I decided to try Earthlink as I am at least average tech savvy and did not mind that they would just mail me a box with instructions on connecting. In any event, I saw they had a service guarantee. I followed the install instructions to the letter, but no matter where I moved the device I still only received a blinking blue light, never a single green light showing some connectivity. I concluded that my apartment was not able to receive the signal from the tower. I then proceeded to call to cancel the service (unable to cancel on the app directly it seems, hmm). The customer service person was rude, talking over me multiple times until I called out their behavior and began talking over them. They insisted that I allow them to centrally activate my device. I told them I had no confidence in the service since I was not able to get a single green bar showing any sign of connectivity potential, and the fact that they can temporarily boost power to activate my device was not reassuring. I wanted to avoid an activated device that nevertheless could not receive the internet signal under normal conditions. I then cancelled the service over the phone, even as the representative admonished me for not letting them activate the device, and warned me that the $85 is nonrefundable. I then had to (successfully) dispute the charge, and got all my money back as the credit card company agreed that Earthlink did not provide the service they promised, and tried to not honor their guarantee. So a fair bit of time wasted, and if you cannot get a single green bar yourself I recommend you dispute the service like I did. Or better, try all other options first—to save yourself time and frustration dealing with indignant and self-righteous customer service representatives. I hope this review saves you time and effort!
Steve B
1.5
from Bishopville, SC on August 2023
This company sucks
Regina C
5.0
from Memphis, TN on July 2023
Love it!
Regina C
5.0
from Memphis, TN on July 2023
Love it!
Mallory R
5.0
from Rocky Mount, NC on July 2023
N/a
Call today & find the best EarthLink internet deals
1-844-534-0561