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EarthLink vs. San Diego Broadband

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

Whether you’re researching EarthLink vs. San Diego 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.

Which is better, EarthLink or San Diego Broadband?

EarthLink is faster, cheaper to start and available to more people. Where both are offered (about 1 million people), EarthLink has the faster top speed for 58% of homes.

FasterEarthLinkTop speed 5,000 Mbps vs 500 Mbps; faster for 58% of homes where both are offered.
Cheaper to startEarthLinkFrom $39.95 a month, vs $59.95.
Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (15 and 0).
Available to more peopleEarthLink267.1 million people in 49 states, vs 1.1 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): 3.5 of 5 stars (15)

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San Diego Broadband
Price: $59.95 - $119.95 / mo.
Speed: 500 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): No rating yet (0)

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EarthLink vs. San Diego Broadband at a glance

Measure EarthLink San Diego Broadband
Available to267.1 million people in 49 states1.1 million people in 1 state
Main technologyFixed wireless 84%, fiber 43%, DSL 42%Fixed wireless 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC5,000 Mbps500 Mbps
Fastest plan we list5,000 Mbps200 Mbps
Starting price$39.95 a month$59.95 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years$959 (100 Mbps plan)$1,439 (50 Mbps plan)
Customer rating3.4 of 5 (15 reviews)No reviews yet
Rated for speed2.9 of 5No reviews yet
Rated for price2.9 of 5No reviews yet
Where both are offeredAbout 1 million people (95% of San Diego Broadband's area); EarthLink is faster for 58% 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 San Diego Broadband are available

EarthLink and San Diego 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 | San Diego Broadband 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. By comparison, San Diego Broadband serves 1,104,494 residents in 51 cities and 2 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as San Diego, CA; Escondido, CA; and San Marcos, CA.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: EarthLink coverage map and San Diego Broadband coverage map.

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

EarthLink vs. San Diego Broadband Speeds and Technology

EarthLink and San Diego Broadband 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 San Diego Broadband’s average speed of 500 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, San Diego Broadband’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. San Diego Broadband Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for EarthLink and San Diego Broadband, 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

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Fiber 100$39.95100 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 300$49.95300 MbpsNot listedFiber
Unlimited 5G Home Internet$59.95300 Mbps30 MbpsFixed Wireless
18 Mbps Internet$64.9518 MbpsNot listedDSL
45 Mbps Internet$64.9545 MbpsNot listedDSL
Fiber 500$69.95500 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 1 Gig$79.951000 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 2 Gig$109.952000 MbpsNot listedFiber
Fiber 5 Gig$149.955000 MbpsNot listedFiber

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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San Diego Broadband Internet Plans & Pricing

PlanMonthly PriceTypical Download SpeedTypical Upload SpeedConnection Type
Basic$59.9550 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless
Premium$89.95100 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless
Platinum$119.95200 MbpsNot listedFixed Wireless

Sourced from pricing published on San Diego Broadband'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. San Diego Broadband Customer Ratings and Reviews

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

EarthLink Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

Fiber: 3.67 of 5 stars

(6)

DSL

DSL: 3.20 of 5 stars

(5)

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless: 3.25 of 5 stars

(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.

EarthLink vs. San Diego Broadband 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

San Diego Broadband Service

Fee

Not Provided by San Diego Broadband

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. San Diego Broadband 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.

San Diego Broadband

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

Pros

  • No data caps, where EarthLink caps some plans.

Cons

    EarthLink vs. San Diego Broadband Top Cities

    EarthLink serves 41,582 cities while San Diego Broadband is available in 51 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.

    EarthLink Cities

    New York, NY
    • Availability: 94.04%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 1,933 Mbps
    Los Angeles, CA
    • Availability: 91.49%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 1,613 Mbps
    Chicago, IL
    • Availability: 96.90%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 1,256 Mbps
    Dallas, TX
    • Availability: 92.32%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 3,066 Mbps
    Houston, TX
    • Availability: 93.48%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 3,487 Mbps

    Overlapping Cities

    San Diego, CA
    • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,306 Mbps
    • San Diego Broadband Avg. Speed: 500 Mbps
    Escondido, CA
    • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 1,498 Mbps
    • San Diego Broadband Avg. Speed: 500 Mbps
    San Marcos, CA
    • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 1,830 Mbps
    • San Diego Broadband Avg. Speed: 500 Mbps
    Vista, CA
    • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 2,114 Mbps
    • San Diego Broadband Avg. Speed: 500 Mbps
    Riverside, CA
    • EarthLink Avg. Speed: 641 Mbps
    • San Diego Broadband Avg. Speed: 500 Mbps

    San Diego Broadband Cities

    San Diego, CA
    • Availability: 31.27%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 500 Mbps
    Escondido, CA
    • Availability: 98.49%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 500 Mbps
    San Marcos, CA
    • Availability: 85.13%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 500 Mbps
    Riverside, CA
    • Availability: 1.59%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 500 Mbps
    Vista, CA
    • Availability: 47.74%
    • Avg. Download Speed: 500 Mbps