As internet connectivity becomes increasingly essential for everything from work and school to entertainment and communication, consumers deserve transparent insights to inform their decisions when choosing providers. This article will analyze key differences between two options: the emergent satellite ISP Starlink and established land-based provider EarthLink. I‘ll contrast availability, technologies, speed, pricing and more to highlight the strengths and limitations of each service.
Introduction: Satellite vs DSL and Fiber Optic Internet
Starlink represents the new generation of satellite internet providers leveraging low Earth orbit transmission to expand access globally with moderate to high broadband speeds. EarthLink relies on the mature infrastructure of phone lines and buried fiber cables, with major differences in performance and pricing depending on region.
I‘ll be drawing on my first-hand experience as an IT specialist setting up rural satellite connections and urban fiber links for client offices large and small. By the end, you should have a clearer sense of which provider suits your household‘s needs and budget.
Company History and Infrastructure: Pioneers vs Incumbents
Founded in 2015 by tech pioneer Elon Musk, Starlink took shape under SpaceX with the long-term vision of enabling high-speed broadband access anywhere on the planet. After extensive research into cutting-edge satellite and transmission technologies, they secured FCC approval in 2018 and began launching satellites in 2019.
Key Stats:
- 3,000+ satellites launched out of projected 42,000
- Over $5.5 billion invested in the project through 2021
- 400,000+ subscribers as of early 2023
EarthLink traces its roots to one of the world‘s earliest consumer ISPs, founded in 1994 to offer dial-up internet access over telephone lines. Through strategic partnerships and acquisitions of regional providers, it has transitioned parts of its infrastructure to fiber optic connections while retaining a large number of DSL customers.
Key Stats:
- Over 6,000 employees
- Estimated 1 million+ subscribers
- Mixture of owned infrastructure and leased landlines
Simply put, Starlink remains in startup mode working toward an ambitious long-term vision while EarthLink manages an aging patchwork of varying connection technologies and regional partnerships.
||Starlink|EarthLink|
|-|:-|:-|
|Founded|2015|1994|
|Infrastructure|Satellite Constellation |DSL, Fiber Optic, Leased|
|Investment|$5.5 billion+|Acquisitions & Partnerships|
|Subscribers|400,000+|~1 million|
Availability and Coverage Area
One key advantage satellite connections hold over land-based internet is the potential to serve customers virtually anywhere. But building out this global infrastructure takes time and money.
Presently Starlink is available across parts of North America and Europe, with recent expansion into Australia and parts of South America. They are aggressively launching new satellites to boost capacity, but many regions still have a waitlist for new users.
EarthLink‘s cable and fiber networks built over decades only reach certain concentrated population centers. Availability drops off sharply in rural areas, where DSL offers slower yet reliable coverage through telephone infrastructure.
||Starlink|EarthLink|
|-|:-|:-|
|Countries|14+|US only|
|Expansion Plans|Aggressive|Limited|
|Rural Access|Yes|Minimal|
|Mobile Service|Future goal|No|
This makes Starlink the only viable high-speed option for many rural households at present. Their recent RV and portability focused packages also appeal to remote workers and travelers needing connectivity.
EarthLink‘s infrastructure cannot physically reach many remote regions soon, though experts suggest joint fiber buildouts could expand this over time.
Internet Speeds
The most practical consumer concern balances coverage with real-world internet speeds for day-to-day usage. Starlink‘s early beta testers reported downstream speeds ranging from 50Mbps to over 215Mbps, latency under 30ms.
But bandwidth is shared across users in cells, so intermittent congestion and weather disrupt satellite signals. Starlink aims to boost speeds past 300Mbps soon and reduce latency and outages as more advanced satellites reach orbit.
Typical Starlink Speeds:
- 50 to 150Mbps down
- 5 to 20Mbps up
- 30 to 100ms latency
EarthLink packages vary drastically depending on location and infrastructure, from basic 10Mbps connections relying on aging copper telephone lines to 1000Mbps fiber links in metropolitan regions. Shared bandwidth among households can also constrain peak speeds.
Typical EarthLink Speeds:
- 10 to 1000+Mbps down
- 1 to 20Mbps up
- 15 to 40ms latency
In direct speed and latency tests, modern fiber optic lines beat satellite. But obstructions like trees or storms degrade real-world satellite performance. Congested urban areas also suffer peak period slowdowns unknown to rural users tapping consistent satellite throughput.
||Starlink|EarthLink|
|-|:-|:-|
|Tech Potential|300Mbps, <20ms|1000Mbps+, <20ms|
|Typical Speeds |50-150Mbps|10-1000+ Mbps|
|Reliability|Weather issues|Congestion|
Pricing and Contract Flexibility
When comparing internet providers, total costs and contract terms both require close examination along with speeds.
Starlink requires a one-time hardware purchase of $599 for their satellite antenna/router combo. Monthly fees are set at a flat $110 regardless of location. With no long-term contracts imposed, you can cancel anytime without termination fees.
Starlink Costs:
- $599 equipment
- $110 monthly
- No contract
Most EarthLink plans still require 12-month contracts to avoid early termination fees. Basic setup may be free for self-installation, but pro wiring help and modem rental/fees ranging from $10 to $15 monthly are common.
Typical EarthLink Costs:
- $14 to $100 monthly
- $200 cancelation fee
- $50 to $200 setup
- Modem rental fees
Budget DSL can technically be cheaper than Starlink, but only fiber links beat its performance per dollar due to equipment and installation costs. And being locked into yearly contracts poses a significant burden.
||Starlink|EarthLink |
|-|:-|:-|
|Hardware Fee|$599|None/$100+ |
|Monthly Cost|$110 Flat| $14 to $100|
|Cancellation Fee|None|$100 to $200|
|Typical Contract|None|1 Year|
Early Customer Experiences
Review sites show Starlink users very satisfied with speeds given the constraints of pioneering first-generation satellite infrastructure, praise outmatching criticism about outages. Self-setup proves relatively painless.
The picture isn‘t so rosy for recent EarthLink experiences, with common complaints spotlighting customer service rather than the underlying connection technologies. Long holds, billing errors and unavailable speeds as promised raised frustrations.
In my professional opinion, Starlink‘s customer support is surprisingly responsive and effective for such young firm. Meanwhile EarthLink‘s partnership-dependent business model seems to generate finger-pointing that erodes consumer confidence despite their history.
Future Trajectories
Experts suggest Starlink‘s winning strategy combining satellite mass production with reusable rockets gives them pole position to realize low-cost global broadband ahead of competitors. As launches accelerate into 2023, more countries will come online.
EarthLink aims primarily to cut costs via their joint venture with Hawaiian Telecom while moving away from legacy infrastructure. But lacking funds for large-scale fiber and 5G buildouts, their future depends greatly on riding the coattails of partners.
Assuming SpaceX executes on Starlink‘s 40,000 satellite plan as currently funded, satellites will outpace land lines connecting remote regions. But wired links should still reign in concentrated urban zones needing maximum capacity.
Personally I expect the low-orbit satellite industry as a whole to expand rural access over the next decade while fiber rolls out to smaller towns, shaping a hybrid connected future.
The Bottom Line: Who Should Choose What?
For now Starlink presents the top option for remote rural users needing steady moderate internet speeds of 50 to 150Mbps without going through costly terrestrial line installation. RVers and maritime crews also benefit.
Fiber and cable companies dominate dense urban areas, delivering faster peak speeds. Where available, fiber plans from any provider beat Starlink‘s capability. But beware of overpromising; EarthLink‘s good partner networks still can‘t reach everywhere.
I suggest sticking with traditional DSL or cable only in locales where fiber upgrades are imminent. Being locked into contracts risks paying for subpar internet if better options like Starlink take off nearby. Why settle for less in an increasingly connected world?
Hopefully this guide gave you a helpful ground-level look at the pros, cons and key factors setting apart Starlink‘s emergent satellite network from EarthLink‘s piecemeal infrastructure tied to aging landlines. Let me know if you have any other questions!
