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Broadband Internet From Earthlink

The internet service provider (ISP), EarthLink, offers consumers four methods of internet and high speed internet connections. These options include: dial-up, digital subscriber line (DSL), freestanding DSL, and cable.

There are pros and cons to each method, including top download speed, so it is imperative that the consumer research each option before signing-up for a high speed internet plan.

EarthLink High Speed Internet Options

Dial-up – With a dial-up connection, one must use an existing telephone line, connected to a modem, to “dial-up” the internet service provider. Downsides to dial-up connections are the limited speed – 56 kilobits per second (Kbps) – and the fact that while dialed into the ISP no-one can use the phone line to make or receive calls. EarthLink’s dial-up offering comes with an accelerator for slightly faster browsing and eight email address.

DSL – With a DSL high speed internet connection, the user must have a DSL-enabled modem and special filters. These allow the consumer to connect to the internet via existing telephone lines. Unlike a dial-up connection, though, the phone line remains available for outgoing and incoming calls, because DSL technology breaks the existing line into two bands of high- and low- frequencies. The high-frequencies are used for the internet voice, data, and video information and the low-frequencies are used for regular phone conversations. EarthLink offers three tiers of DSL service from which to choose, ranging from 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) to 6.0 Mbps.

Freestanding DSL – Much like regular DSL connection, a Freestanding DSL high speed internet set-up utilizes existing telephone line infrastructure. However, unlike regular DSL, the consumer does not need to have home phone service – therefore, the phone lines can be used even if they do not have a phone number attached. This service is only available to consumers in areas where Verizon is the local telephone company. The Freestanding DSL service offers three high speed internet options to choose from, including download speeds of 1.5 Mbps, 3.0 Mbps, and 6.0 Mbps.

Cable – EarthLink also offers high speed internet and broadband connections via the cable television network infrastructure. The consumer will need to purchase or lease a cable modem that will connect to the existing cable line. EarthLink’s cable high speed internet access has a maximum download speed of 10.0 Mbps.

Test your internet speed and compare it to the options available through EarthLink using our internet speed test.