EarthLink vs. Ridge Wireless
Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. Ridge Wireless 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 |
|---|
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| Price: Unavailable, please see site for details |
| Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber |
Rating (Reviews): (12) |
| Ridge Wireless |
|---|
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| Price: $99.99 - $149.99 / mo. |
| Speed: 10 - 300 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fixed wireless |
Rating (Reviews): (0) |
EarthLink and Ridge Wireless compete directly in approximately 0.60% of their service areas, with EarthLink covering 268,204,138 people nationwide and Ridge Wireless serving 1,642,020. EarthLink primarily delivers internet through a DSL connection; Ridge Wireless specializes in fixed wireless connections. Jump directly to specific sections using the links below, or continue reading for our comprehensive comparison of EarthLink and Ridge Wireless's availability, speeds, pricing, and customer satisfaction.
Jump to: Availability | Speeds | Plans & Pricing | Customer Reviews | Fees
EarthLink vs. Ridge Wireless | Pros & Cons
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
Pros:
- Up-front month-to-month pricing
- Wide range of plan options
- No contracts required
- Unlimited data
Cons:
- Limited service availability
- Limited download speeds
- Limited fiber availability
EarthLink vs. Ridge Wireless | Availability
EarthLink and Ridge Wireless 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 | Ridge Wireless 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, Ridge Wireless serves 1,642,020 residents in 51 cities and 6 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as San Jose, CA; Sunnyvale, CA; and Santa Clara, CA.
Internet availability can vary significantly even within specific cities and zip codes. For the most accurate information about EarthLink and Ridge Wireless at your location, use our address search tool:
EarthLink vs. Ridge Wireless | Speeds & Technology
EarthLink and Ridge Wireless 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. Ridge Wireless relies on fixed wireless technology, which comprises 100.0% of their network, this is the only connection type they offer.
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 Ridge Wireless's average speed of 88 Mbps. When examining their overlapping service areas, EarthLink delivers faster speeds in 65.23% of locations where both providers operate, similar speeds in 22.56%, and slower speeds in 12.21%.
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, Ridge Wireless's top-tier fixed wireless 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. Ridge Wireless | Plans & Pricing
Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Ridge Wireless, 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 Ridge Wireless plan details below to help you understand their offerings while we await EarthLink's compliance with federal transparency requirements.
Ridge Wireless Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Mbps | $99.99 | 20 Mbps | 10 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| 60 Mbps | $114.99 | 60 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| 85 Mbps | $129.99 | 85 Mbps | 40 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| 100 Mbps | $149.99 | 100 Mbps | 60 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
Note: These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas.
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. Ridge Wireless | Customer Ratings & Reviews
Compare how real customers rate EarthLink and Ridge Wireless based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.
EarthLink Ratings & Reviews
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
DSL
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.
EarthLink vs. Ridge Wireless | 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.
Ridge Wireless 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 Ridge Wireless directly or reviewing their terms of service documentation.
EarthLink Service
Fee
Not Provided by EarthLink
Ridge Wireless Service
Fee
Not Provided by Ridge Wireless
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. Ridge Wireless | Top Cities
EarthLink serves 40,546 cities while Ridge Wireless is available in 51 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.
EarthLink Cities
- Availability: 93.53%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,625 Mbps
- Availability: 94.20%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,484 Mbps
- Availability: 96.73%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,124 Mbps
- Availability: 93.66%
- Avg. Download Speed: 2,867 Mbps
- Availability: 93.43%
- Avg. Download Speed: 3,310 Mbps
Overlapping Cities
- EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,373 Mbps
- Ridge Wireless Avg. Speed: 89 Mbps
- EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,423 Mbps
- Ridge Wireless Avg. Speed: 79 Mbps
- EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,032 Mbps
- Ridge Wireless Avg. Speed: 86 Mbps
- EarthLink Avg. Speed: 3,035 Mbps
- Ridge Wireless Avg. Speed: 89 Mbps
- EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,725 Mbps
- Ridge Wireless Avg. Speed: 77 Mbps
Ridge Wireless Cities
- Availability: 77.24%
- Avg. Download Speed: 89 Mbps
- Availability: 98.49%
- Avg. Download Speed: 79 Mbps
- Availability: 85.54%
- Avg. Download Speed: 86 Mbps
- Availability: 92.73%
- Avg. Download Speed: 89 Mbps
- Availability: 1.64%
- Avg. Download Speed: 77 Mbps
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