EarthLink vs. Cal.net

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. Cal.net 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, 2026October 28, 2026

Which is better, EarthLink or Cal.net?

EarthLink is faster and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 3.7 million people), EarthLink has the faster top speed for 56% of homes.

FasterEarthLinkTop speed 5,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps; faster for 56% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startToo close to callWe do not list plans for both yet.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (15 and 3).

Available to more peopleEarthLink267.1 million people in 49 states, vs 4.2 million 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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Cal.net

Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 100 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (3)
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EarthLink vs. Cal.net at a glance

Measure	EarthLink	Cal.net
Available to	267.1 million people in 49 states	4.2 million people in 1 state
Main technology	Fixed wireless 84%, fiber 43%, DSL 42%	Fixed wireless 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps	Not listed
Starting price	$39.95 a month	Not listed
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$959 (100 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	3.4 of 5 (15 reviews)	4.0 of 5 (3 reviews)
Rated for speed	2.9 of 5	3.3 of 5
Rated for price	2.9 of 5	4.3 of 5
Where both are offered	About 3.7 million people (88% of Cal.net's area); EarthLink is faster for 56% of them, the same top speed for 33%

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 Cal.net are available

EarthLink and Cal.net 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 | Cal.net 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.

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

EarthLink vs. Cal.net Speeds and Technology

EarthLink and Cal.net 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 Cal.net’s average speed of 100 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, Cal.net’s top-tier Fiber is available to 0.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. Cal.net Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for EarthLink, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, Cal.net has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

If you represent Cal.net, getting listed is simple: publish your machine-readable broadband label file, or send your current plan lineup through our contact page, and your plans will appear here shortly after verification.

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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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. Cal.net Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate EarthLink and Cal.net 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 Cal.net maintains a 4.00 / 5 rating from 3 reviews. Cal.net outperforms EarthLink by 0.6 points in overall satisfaction. EarthLink’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.67 / 5 stars, compared to Cal.net’s highest-rated service, Fixed Wireless, at 4.00 / 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.

Cal.net Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fixed Wireless

(3)

Cal.net has an overall rating of 4.00 out of 5, with a total of 3 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Cal.net’s ratings, their Fixed Wireless service (100% of reviews) averages 4.00 / 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 Cal.net Internet Reviews page.

EarthLink vs. Cal.net 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.

Cal.net has not provided standardized fee information through their FCC broadband label data. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess their true service costs beyond advertised rates. For current fee information, we recommend contacting Cal.net directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.

EarthLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by EarthLink

Cal.net Service

Fee

Not Provided by Cal.net

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. Cal.net 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.

Cal.net

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (3); these lines come from our data.

Pros

Cons

EarthLink vs. Cal.net Top Cities

EarthLink serves 41,582 cities while Cal.net is available in 338 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.