Which is better, EarthLink or Rural Telecommunications of America?

EarthLink is faster, cheaper to start and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 419,723 people), EarthLink has the faster top speed for 65% of homes.

FasterEarthLinkTop speed 5,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps; faster for 65% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startEarthLinkFrom $39.95 a month, vs $48.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (15 and 1).

Available to more peopleEarthLink267.1 million people in 49 states, vs 499,254 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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Rural Telecommunications of America
Price: $48.00 / mo.
Speed: 300 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (1)
View Plans

EarthLink vs. Rural Telecommunications of America at a glance

Measure	EarthLink	Rural Telecommunications of America
Available to	267.1 million people in 49 states	499,254 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	100 Mbps down, 100 Mbps up
Starting price	$39.95 a month	$48 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$959 (100 Mbps plan)	$1,152 (100 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	3.4 of 5 (15 reviews)	4.0 of 5 (1 reviews)
Rated for speed	2.9 of 5	4.0 of 5
Rated for price	2.9 of 5	3.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 419,723 people (84% of Rural Telecommunications of America's area); EarthLink is faster for 65% 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 Rural Telecommunications of America are available

EarthLink and Rural Telecommunications of America 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.

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. By comparison, Rural Telecommunications of America serves 499,254 residents in 134 cities and 18 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Houston, TX; Odessa, TX; and Midland, TX.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: EarthLink coverage map and Rural Telecommunications of America coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether EarthLink, Rural Telecommunications of America or both are offered at your home.

EarthLink vs. Rural Telecommunications of America Speeds and Technology

EarthLink and Rural Telecommunications of America 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 Rural Telecommunications of America’s average speed of 302 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, Rural Telecommunications of America’s top-tier Fiber is available to 0.3% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

EarthLink vs. Rural Telecommunications of America Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for EarthLink and Rural Telecommunications of America, 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.

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. Rural Telecommunications of America Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate EarthLink and Rural Telecommunications of America 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 Rural Telecommunications of America maintains a 4.00 / 5 rating from 1 reviews. Rural Telecommunications of America 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 Rural Telecommunications of America’s highest-rated service, Fixed Wireless, at 4.00 / 5 stars.

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. Rural Telecommunications of America 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.

Rural Telecommunications of America

No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.

Pros

• No data caps, where EarthLink caps some plans.

Cons

EarthLink vs. Rural Telecommunications of America Top Cities

EarthLink serves 41,582 cities while Rural Telecommunications of America is available in 134 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.