An Analysis of Earthlink DSL Offerings

Written by: Patrick Oborn - Oct 6, 2008

The first non-AOL internet provider I ever had was Earthlink. Their stock rose with the rest of the brand new ISPs of the late 1900's. The sky was truly the limit.

However, as the internet bubble burst in 2000, many companies who provided internet access with equipment purchased with investor dollars were left holding the back with huge networks and no one to fill them. Earthlink DSL was different - they saw the need to diversify into high-speed internet access and other customer-friendly value-adds, like Spam Blocker and Adult Controls.

Fast-forward to 2004, where we see Earthlink becoming the leader in DSL - and - Satellite internet access. The demand for high-speed access has never been greater - and by virtue of their careful planning and listening the collective voice of their customers, Earthlink has vaulted itself into the lead in the race for number one residential high-speed access provider.

In particular, EarthLink made significant inroads in the broadband arena by signing an expanded Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) agreement with Verizon, launching DSL service in Qwest's territories, and teaming up with Progress Energy to conduct a limited Broadband over Power Line (BPL) trial in North Carolina. EarthLink was also encouraged by the March 31, 2004 decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit not to revisit its earlier ruling that cable modem service contains a telecommunications service. If upheld, this decision will help open cable broadband networks to competition, thus enabling EarthLink to offer high speed service over additional cable networks.