EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband

Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side

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Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.

Maintained by:Carson WardData & methodology:Wes WardLast updated:October 24, 2026November 4, 2026

Which is better, EarthLink or CDE Lightband?

CDE Lightband is better rated where you can get it, but EarthLink reaches 1,443 times as many people, so at most addresses EarthLink is the one on offer (and it is faster and cheaper to start). Where both are offered (about 180,478 people), EarthLink has the faster top speed for 99% of homes.

FasterEarthLinkTop speed 5,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps; faster for 99% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startEarthLinkFrom $39.95 a month, vs $53.95.

Better ratedCDE Lightband4.3 of 5 from 9 reviews, vs 3.4 from 15.

Available to more peopleEarthLink267.1 million people in 49 states, vs 185,087 in 1 state.

EarthLink

Price: $39.95 - $149.95 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, fiber, and DSL
Rating (Reviews): (15)
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CDE Lightband

Price: $53.95 - $123.95 / mo.
Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber
Rating (Reviews): (9)
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EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband at a glance

Measure	EarthLink	CDE Lightband
Available to	267.1 million people in 49 states	185,087 people in 1 state
Main technology	Fixed wireless 84%, fiber 43%, DSL 42%	Fiber 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps	2,500 Mbps down, 2,500 Mbps up
Starting price	$39.95 a month	$53.95 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$959 (100 Mbps plan)	$1,295 (300 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.4 of 5 (15 reviews)	4.3 of 5 (9 reviews)
Rated for speed	2.9 of 5	4.3 of 5
Rated for price	2.9 of 5	4.3 of 5
Where both are offered	About 180,478 people (98% of CDE Lightband's area); EarthLink is faster for 99% of them

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where EarthLink and CDE Lightband are available

EarthLink and CDE Lightband have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Both Providers Available | EarthLink Available | CDE Lightband Available | No Coverage

EarthLink currently offers internet service in 41,582 cities and 2,954 counties across 49 states, reaching approximately 270,850,292 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Chicago, IL.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: EarthLink coverage map and CDE Lightband coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether EarthLink, CDE Lightband or both are offered at your home.

EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband Speeds and Technology

EarthLink and CDE Lightband utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, EarthLink offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,526 Mbps compared to CDE Lightband’s average speed of 1,000 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. EarthLink’s premium Fiber service reaches 42.5% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, CDE Lightband’s top-tier Fiber is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for EarthLink and CDE Lightband, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

EarthLink Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
Fiber 100	$39.95	100 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 300	$49.95	300 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Unlimited 5G Home Internet	$59.95	300 Mbps	30 Mbps	Fixed Wireless
18 Mbps Internet	$64.95	18 Mbps	Not listed	DSL
45 Mbps Internet	$64.95	45 Mbps	Not listed	DSL
Fiber 500	$69.95	500 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 1 Gig	$79.95	1000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 2 Gig	$109.95	2000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
Fiber 5 Gig	$149.95	5000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber

Compiled from current advertised pricing across industry sources, last verified June 2026. Typical speeds shown are the advertised tier speeds. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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CDE Lightband Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
300	$53.95	300 Mbps	300 Mbps	Fiber
600	$73.95	600 Mbps	600 Mbps	Fiber
1 Gig	$94.95	1000 Mbps	1000 Mbps	Fiber
2.5 Gig	$123.95	2500 Mbps	2500 Mbps	Fiber

Sourced from pricing published on CDE Lightband's official website, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate EarthLink and CDE Lightband based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, EarthLink earns an overall rating of 3.40 / 5 stars from 15 customer reviews, while CDE Lightband maintains a 4.33 / 5 rating from 9 reviews. CDE Lightband outperforms EarthLink by 0.9 points in overall satisfaction. EarthLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.67 / 5 stars, compared to CDE Lightband’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 4.33 / 5 stars.

EarthLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(6)

DSL

(5)

Fixed Wireless

(4)

EarthLink has an overall rating of 3.40 out of 5, with a total of 15 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them about on par with other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into EarthLink’s ratings, their Fiber service (40% of reviews) averages 3.67 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our EarthLink Internet Reviews page.

CDE Lightband Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(9)

CDE Lightband has an overall rating of 4.33 out of 5, with a total of 9 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into CDE Lightband’s ratings, their Fiber service (100% of reviews) averages 4.33 / 5 stars, equal to their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our CDE Lightband Internet Reviews page.

EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband Fees and Details

Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.

EarthLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by EarthLink

CDE Lightband Service

Fee

Not Provided by CDE Lightband

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband Pros and Cons

EarthLink

From 11 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

Fast speeds: praised in 4 of 11 written reviews (3 call it slow). "connection speed is awesome, no buffering"
Good value: praised in 3 of 11 written reviews. "The price is manageable at around $90 per month"

Cons

Poor customer service: a complaint in 3 of 11 written reviews. "Your customer service sucks"
Slow uploads: 30 Mbps up on its 300 Mbps plan.
Data caps on some plans.

CDE Lightband

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (4); these lines come from our data.

Pros

Rated higher by customers: 4.3 vs 3.4 out of 5.

Cons

EarthLink vs. CDE Lightband Top Cities

EarthLink serves 41,582 cities while CDE Lightband is available in 12 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.