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EarthLink vs. Point Broadband

Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. Point Broadband 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.

EarthLink
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (12)

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Point Broadband
Price: $49.95 - $95.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (14)

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EarthLink and Point Broadband compete directly in approximately 0.66% of their service areas, with EarthLink covering 268,204,138 people nationwide and Point Broadband serving 2,477,213. EarthLink primarily delivers internet through a DSL connection; Point Broadband specializes in fiber connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of EarthLink and Point Broadband's availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.

Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees

EarthLink vs. Point Broadband | Pros & Cons

EarthLink Logo

Pros:

  • Gigabit speeds available
  • Widespread national availability
  • Extensive fiber network
  • Works with smart home devices

Cons:

  • May require credit check for service activation
  • Coverage strength varies within service areas
  • Performance depends on local infrastructure

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Point Broadband Logo

Pros:

  • Fast upload speeds
  • Service available in rural areas
  • Up-front month-to-month pricing
  • Wide range of plan options

Cons:

  • Limited service availability
  • Installation fees apply
  • Speeds fluctuate during peak usage hours

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EarthLink vs. Point Broadband | Availability

EarthLink and Point Broadband 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 | Point Broadband Available | No Coverage

EarthLink currently offers internet service in 40,546 cities and 2,905 counties across 48 states, reaching approximately 268,204,138 residents. Their service area includes major markets like New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA; and Chicago, IL. By comparison, Point Broadband serves 2,477,213 residents in 1,304 cities and 144 counties in 12 states, with a presence in population centers such as Dallas, TX; Columbus, OH; and Grand Rapids, MI.

EarthLink has particularly strong coverage nationwide, where they serve 0 cities and 0 zip codes. Their Rural Coverage Ratio of 14 indicates they focuses heavily on urban areas, with limited service available in rural communities..

Point Broadband is prominent in nationwide with service to 0 cities and 0 zip codes. With a Rural Coverage Ratio of 53, Point Broadband offers a balanced distribution of coverage across urban and rural areas.

Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about EarthLink and Point Broadband at your location, use our address search tool:

EarthLink vs. Point Broadband | Speeds & Technology

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

Across their service areas, EarthLink primarily delivers internet through DSL, available to 41.6% of their customers. They also offer fiber to 41.4% of their coverage area. Point Broadband relies on fiber technology, which comprises 46.3% of their network, with fixed wireless available in 60.3% of their service locations.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, EarthLink offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,411 Mbps compared to Point Broadband's average speed of 486 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, EarthLink delivers faster speeds in 39.11% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 5.46%, and slower speeds in 55.43%.

The availability of each provider's fastest technology varies significantly by location. EarthLink's premium Fiber service reaches 41.4% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Point Broadband's top-tier Fiber is available to 46.3% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. Point Broadband | Plans & Pricing

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Point Broadband, sourced directly from FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband labels to ensure transparency and accuracy. Unfortunately, EarthLink has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

We've included the available Point Broadband plan details below to help you understand their offerings while we await EarthLink's compliance with federal transparency requirements.

Point Broadband Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fixed Wireless Basic$49.9510.5 Mbps1 MbpsFixed Wireless
Basic 100$59.00102 Mbps102.4 MbpsFiber
Performance Plus$85.00302.8 Mbps305.2 MbpsFiber
Extreme Internet$89.00975.3 Mbps982.1 MbpsFiber
Ultra 500$95.00495.6 Mbps498.7 MbpsFiber

Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.

Point Broadband Plans

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. Point Broadband | Customer Ratings & Reviews

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

When comparing customer satisfaction, EarthLink earns an overall rating of 3.67 / 5 stars from 12 customer reviews, while Point Broadband maintains a 4.00 / 5 rating from 14 reviews. Point Broadband outperforms EarthLink by 0.33 points in overall satisfaction. EarthLink's best-rated service is their fiber offering at 4.20 / 5 stars, compared to Point Broadband's highest-rated service, fiber, at 4.09 / 5 stars.

EarthLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 4.20 of 5 stars

5

Cable

Cable: 2.67 of 5 stars

3

DSL

DSL: 3.75 of 5 stars

4

EarthLink has an overall rating of 3.67 out of 5, with a total of 12 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into EarthLink's ratings, their fiber service (42% of reviews) averages 4.20 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This difference suggests that customers have notably different experiences with their various service types, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our EarthLink Internet Reviews page.

Point Broadband Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 4.09 of 5 stars

11

Cable

Cable: 4.00 of 5 stars

1

Point Broadband has an overall rating of 4.00 out of 5, with a total of 14 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into Point Broadband's ratings, their fiber service (79% of reviews) averages 4.09 / 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 Point Broadband Internet Reviews page.

EarthLink vs. Point Broadband | Fees & 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.

Point Broadband 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 Point Broadband directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.

EarthLink Service

Fee

Not Provided by EarthLink

Point Broadband Service

Fee

Gateway Fee

5

Standard Installation Fee

$150

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. Point Broadband | Top Cities

EarthLink serves 40,546 cities while Point Broadband is available in 1,304 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

EarthLink Cities

New York, NY
  • Availability: 93.53%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,625 Mbps
Los Angeles, CA
  • Availability: 94.20%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,484 Mbps
Chicago, IL
  • Availability: 96.73%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,124 Mbps
Dallas, TX
  • Availability: 93.66%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 2,867 Mbps
Houston, TX
  • Availability: 93.43%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 3,310 Mbps

Overlapping Cities

Dallas, TX
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,867 Mbps
  • Point Broadband Avg. Speed: 96 Mbps
Columbus, OH
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 1,548 Mbps
  • Point Broadband Avg. Speed: 31 Mbps
Grand Rapids, MI
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 1,808 Mbps
  • Point Broadband Avg. Speed: 631 Mbps
Atlanta, GA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 3,394 Mbps
  • Point Broadband Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Gainesville, GA
  • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,989 Mbps
  • Point Broadband Avg. Speed: 1,000 Mbps

Point Broadband Cities

Dallas, TX
  • Availability: 5.27%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 101 Mbps
Columbus, OH
  • Availability: 15.05%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 40 Mbps
Grand Rapids, MI
  • Availability: 18.39%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 565 Mbps
Atlanta, GA
  • Availability: 2.01%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Hagerstown, MD
  • Availability: 73.83%
  • Avg. Download Speed: 1,000 Mbps