EarthLink rides AT&T's own fiber network — so why add a middleman? Buy direct and get the AT& Guarantee, wireless & DIRECTV bundling, and one point of contact. See the full side-by-side.
Same fiber, different relationship. Here's every spec that matters when choosing between AT&T direct and EarthLink resold service.
| Feature | AT&T FiberDirect — Fiber-optic | EarthLinkReseller — AT&T fiber |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Owns & operates the fiber | Resells AT&T's fiber capacity |
| Relationship | Direct with AT&T | Through EarthLink (middleman) |
| Max download speed | 5,000 Mbps (5 GIG) | Varies by market / tier |
| Max upload speed | 5,000 Mbps (symmetric) | Symmetric where fiber available |
| Data cap | None — unlimited data | Typically unlimited (fiber) |
| Starting price | $35/mo (300 Mbps) | $25/mo promo (100 Mbps) |
| 1 GIG price | $50/mo | Varies; often higher after promo |
| Price guarantee | AT&T Guarantee — price locked | No AT&T Guarantee |
| Wireless bundling | AT&T Wireless bundle discounts | Not available |
| DIRECTV bundling | DIRECTV on one bill | Not available |
| Contract | No annual contract | 12-mo contract on some plans |
| Support | Direct from AT&T | EarthLink front line, then AT&T |
Same fiber line, better relationship. Buying direct from AT&T gives you the network owner's guarantee, full speed tiers, and bundling a reseller simply can't offer.
AT&T backs your service with the AT&T Guarantee — a price lock commitment and direct accountability from the company that owns the network. EarthLink can't offer this because they don't own the fiber. With AT&T, the buck stops with one company.
No middleman. When you buy AT&T Fiber direct, you have one account, one support team, and one company responsible for your connection. EarthLink inserts itself between you and AT&T — meaning billing questions and service issues pass through an extra layer before reaching the network owner.
Only AT&T lets you bundle fiber internet with AT&T Wireless on a single plan — unlocking combined discounts and one bill for home and mobile. EarthLink is a separate company and can't offer AT&T Wireless integration. If your family uses AT&T phones, buying direct maximizes your savings.
AT&T Fiber pairs with DIRECTV for a single-bill triple play — internet, TV, and wireless all in one place. EarthLink doesn't offer DIRECTV, so you'd manage separate accounts and lose bundle savings. Direct AT&T means one provider, one bill, one call for everything.
AT&T offers its complete plan lineup direct — from 300 Mbps up to 5 GIG (5,000 Mbps) symmetric. EarthLink's available tiers vary by market and may not include the fastest plans. With AT&T, you always get first access to the latest speeds and upgrades on the network.
AT&T Fiber plans are month-to-month with no early termination fee. EarthLink may require a 12-month agreement on some plans, with ETFs if you leave early. Buying direct gives you the flexibility to change plans or cancel without penalty.
Fair is fair — EarthLink has one real advantage. Here's where the reseller beats buying direct, and why it might matter if price is your only concern.
EarthLink advertises a promo starting price as low as $25/mo for 100 Mbps — $10 less than AT&T Fiber's $35/mo for 300 Mbps. If absolute lowest monthly cost is your top priority and you only need basic speeds, EarthLink's introductory price is lower. Just watch for price steps after the promo period.
If you don't care about bundling, the AT&T Guarantee, or having a single provider for everything, EarthLink delivers the same underlying fiber at a potentially lower entry price. It's a viable choice for standalone internet where the lowest promo rate is the deciding factor.
Because EarthLink resells AT&T fiber, it's available wherever AT&T has built out fiber and EarthLink has a reseller agreement. In some cases EarthLink may market service in a building or complex before AT&T's direct retail channel does — though the underlying fiber is the same.
Bottom line: EarthLink's only real edge is a lower promo price. But you're buying AT&T's fiber either way — so why not get the guarantee, bundles, and direct support that come with buying from the source?
EarthLink's promo starts lower, but AT&T Fiber wins on value, guarantee, and bundles. See what you pay at each tier.
All plans: no data cap, no annual contract, symmetric speeds, AT&T Guarantee. Bundle with AT&T Wireless & DIRECTV for combined discounts. Prices with AutoPay & paperless billing.
Resold AT&T fiber — same network, middleman relationship. No AT&T Guarantee. No AT&T Wireless or DIRECTV bundling. Promo rates may step up after intro period. 12-mo contract on some plans. Pricing varies by market.
EarthLink saves $10/mo at entry level — but AT&T Fiber gives you the guarantee, bundles, and direct support that a reseller can't match.
EarthLink rides AT&T's fiber network, so the underlying connection is the same. The difference is everything around it: AT&T direct gives you the AT&T Guarantee, a single point of contact, full speed tiers up to 5 GIG, and the ability to bundle wireless and DIRECTV on one bill. EarthLink's only edge is a lower promo starting price — and for most households, the guarantee, bundles, and direct support are worth far more than $10/mo.
Yes. In many markets EarthLink Fiber is powered by AT&T's fiber-optic infrastructure — EarthLink resells capacity on AT&T's network. You get the same underlying fiber line, but with EarthLink as an intermediary rather than a direct AT&T relationship. Buying direct from AT&T gives you the AT&T Guarantee, direct AT&T support, and access to AT&T Wireless and DIRECTV bundling that EarthLink can't offer.
EarthLink often advertises a lower promo starting price — as low as $25/mo for 100 Mbps, compared to AT&T Fiber's $35/mo for 300 Mbps. However, EarthLink's promo rates may step up after the introductory period, and EarthLink doesn't include the AT&T Guarantee or bundle discounts. AT&T Fiber also offers faster tiers (up to 5 GIG) that EarthLink may not match in every market.
The AT&T Guarantee includes a price lock commitment — your price won't change for the guarantee period — plus direct support from AT&T. EarthLink, as a reseller, does not offer the AT&T Guarantee. If something goes wrong, EarthLink customers often go through EarthLink's support layer first, which then coordinates with AT&T — adding a middleman to the process.
No. EarthLink is a separate company and does not offer AT&T Wireless or DIRECTV bundling. Only a direct AT&T Fiber relationship lets you bundle internet, wireless, and DIRECTV on one bill with combined discounts. If you want the convenience and savings of a single provider, buy AT&T Fiber directly.
Where EarthLink rides AT&T's fiber, raw speeds are similar at comparable tiers. However, AT&T Fiber offers the full range of plans up to 5 GIG (5,000 Mbps) with symmetric upload and download. EarthLink's available tiers may be more limited depending on your market. AT&T direct also guarantees first access to the latest network upgrades and fastest available tiers.
Buying direct from AT&T gives you a single point of contact for support, the AT&T Guarantee price lock, full access to all speed tiers up to 5 GIG, and the ability to bundle with AT&T Wireless and DIRECTV for combined savings. A reseller adds an extra layer between you and the network owner, which can complicate billing and support. With AT&T direct, there's no middleman.
No. AT&T Fiber plans are month-to-month with no annual contract and no early termination fee. EarthLink may require a 12-month contract on some plans, with early termination fees if you cancel early. Always check the terms before signing up with a reseller.
Why buy the same fiber through a middleman? One quick check tells you if AT&T Fiber is available at your address — with the guarantee, bundles, and direct support only AT&T can offer.