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Earthlink Internet Service FAQS
Why should I choose Earthlink Dial Up over other internet service providers?
EarthLink brings you fast, reliable Internet access, award-winning support, and powerful tools to make your Internet experience safer, more convenient, and more fun! Many exclusive features and benefits come free with your EarthLink membership, making it a great value too!
What kind of free tools does Earthlink Dial Up offer?
EarthLink members get a complete suite of powerful tools through EarthLink's free TotalAccess software designed to enhance your overall Internet experience. Our Blocker Tools—including Spyware Blocker, ScamBlocker™, and Virus Blocker—make it simple to stay protected against serious online threats. We also offer EarthLink Accelerator™, which lets dial-up users surf the Web up to 5X faster!**
What other features does Earthlink Dial Up service Include?
We offer 8 email addresses and 10MB of webspace per address, so everyone in the family can have their own email address and Web site. Plus, with our free Site Builder, you don't need to know any HTML to build a great homepage in minutes! EarthLink Dial-Up also supports all major instant messaging programs, so it's easy to IM all your buddies.
Is it easy to switch to Earthlink from another Internet service provider?
Absolutely. It's fast and easy to switch to EarthLink in 3 simple steps! We'll help you:
How do I cancel my other internet service provider?
Many companies let you cancel your service via telephone, fax, or postal mail. When you contact them, be sure to have your username handy, as well as the credit card number associated with your account. Click here for specific cancellation information for many major Internet service providers.
What instant messaging (IM) programs can I use to chat with my friends and family?
EarthLink supports all major IM programs, including AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, and ICQ. So you can continue to trade real-time messages with all your online buddies, no matter what Internet service and IM program they use.
Does Earthlink charge for technical support?
No! Our free, award-winning support is available on the Web, by chat, by email, and by phone. Visit our Support Center for handy self-help tutorials on hundreds of topics. You can also click on Contact Us By Live Chat to trade instant messages with a friendly service representative, or choose Contact Us By Email to send us an email. Want to speak with someone directly? You can always give us a toll-free call at 1-800-719-4660.
I'm a Mac User. Can I get Earthlink Dial Up Service on my Apple computer?
Yes! EarthLink is fully compatible with Apple computers. And we've worked hard to develop special tools to give our Mac users the high-quality Internet experience they deserve. Our latest EarthLink TotalAccess® 2005 software for Mac includes EarthLink Accelerator for faster Web surfing, ScamBlocker protection against online fraud, NewsAccess for RSS news feeds, spamBlocker junk email protection, address book syncing, and more.
What is EarthLink High Speed Internet?
EarthLink High Speed is our award-recognized broadband Internet access, offering you instant connections and speeds up to 6Mbps, or 4X faster than regular DSL (regular DSL=1.5Mbps.). EarthLink High Speed is available nationwide via cable, DSL, and satellite technologies, with new wireless high speed options available in select areas.
All EarthLink High Speed services come complete with our Blocker Tools to help you stay safe and avoid online hassles, free expert support, and free dial-up service to use when you're away from home. To sign up, or to see which services are available in your area, enter your information in the form to the right. That way, you can quickly confirm all local product and pricing details.
What are the benefits of EarthLink High Speed Internet?
EarthLink High Speed delivers all the speed, convenience, and security you're looking for:
What new things can I do with EarthLink High Speed that I couldn't do with dial-up?
While some activities are possible with a dial-up connection (such as downloading music or software), because they take so long, people with dial-up access don't regularly do them. EarthLink High Speed makes it so much faster and easier to do all this:
What are the advantages of EarthLink vs. other high speed providers?
Is there any difference between your cable and DSL services?
EarthLink DSL offers high-speed access over your phone line; EarthLink Cable uses a cable TV line. DSL offers instant connections of up to 3.0Mbps, which is 70X faster than regular dial-up*; Standard Cable offers a 5.0Mbps connection, which is more than 100x faster than regular dial-up*; Premium Cable offers an 8.0Mbps connection, which is nearly 200x faster than regular dial-up.*
* All speed comparisons based on average speed between a 28.8K and 56K modem.
There's no waiting or dialing in with either, and you're free to use your phone and the Internet at the same time. Installation: DSL comes with a free self-installation kit; cable is installed by a professional installer. We suggest you start by finding out which service is available in your area—you can't go wrong with either.
Is the speed guaranteed?
EarthLink offers a "best effort" service. That means we don't offer any throughput guarantees, but we will always do our best to provide you with the fastest connection your specific conditions will allow.
Is there anything that affects the speed of my connection?
Actual connection speeds will depend on many factors. For DSL, these include the length and condition of the telephone wires connecting your house to your central office. For cable, it is possible for performance to be affected by the number of customers actively using the system at any one time. General conditions on the Internet also affect all Internet access services.
How does EarthLink High Speed compare to "high speed" dial-up or "accelerated" dial-up services?
Some dial-up services are misleadingly called "high speed" services. They typically use compression software and other means of speeding up your Web surfing experience from two to five times, but can't speed up all online activities (such as downloading music or software). EarthLink High Speed is a true broadband Internet service, offering speeds up to 6Mbps, or 4X faster than regular DSL (regular DSL=1.5Mbps.).
What does an "instant" connection mean?
With EarthLink High Speed, there is no dialing in, no waiting to get online, and no busy signals. The Internet is always ready for you in an instant. Just click and go.
Will I get busy signals?
No. You will never get busy signals with EarthLink High Speed because there is no dialing involved. And you have the freedom to talk on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time.
Do I need a second phone line?
No. EarthLink High Speed services work without tying up your phone line. So you can save the expense of an extra phone line and still talk on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time.
Can I access the Internet if I'm on the road?
Yes. All EarthLink High Speed accounts come with free dial-up access (up to 20 hours per month) for you to use away from home. And EarthLink has thousands of toll-free local access numbers for you to use.
Can I use EarthLink High Speed on multiple computers? Can I set up a network?
Yes, EarthLink Home Networking lets you share one high speed connection on all your home computers, as well as share files, printers, and peripherals. And with the free wireless equipment that comes with EarthLink Home Networking, you can enjoy high speed access as you move around your home with a laptop, even connecting from the front porch or backyard.
If I'm switching from dial-up with another Internet service provider, will I lose my email and contact information?
No. EarthLink TotalAccess® software includes a built-in Easy Switch tool that will automatically import your email messages and contacts from your old email program, help you send out change-of-address notifications with your new email address, and even forward new email from AOL, MSN, Yahoo!, and Hotmail.
Can I switch to EarthLink High Speed from another high speed service anytime? Will there be a fee?
You can always change ISPs, but you'll need to ask your existing high speed provider if there are any penalties associated with switching your service. In some cases, your current provider may require a release form that would need to be filled out and returned to EarthLink before we can process your order. Please call 1-866-226-0572 and our High Speed Sales team will be happy to assist you.
Can I use the same equipment I have from another high speed service?
In most cases, yes. If not, we'll provide equipment for you at no charge.
Do I have to pay extra for equipment or installation?
Our DSL and cable services are typically offered with free setup/installation and free equipment. Satellite equipment and installation is significantly more costly for us so there are charges associated with this service.
Does support cost extra?
No. EarthLink High Speed offers free, high-quality customer support around the clock.
Can I install EarthLink High Speed myself?
EarthLink DSL comes with a simple self-installation kit. EarthLink Wi-Fi is also easily self-installed. For our cable and satellite services, we will send a professional installer to your home.
How does EarthLink DSL self-installation work?
EarthLink will provide you with the hardware, software, and technical support necessary to get online. You will need to verify that your computer is equipped with a Network Interface Card. Within 7 to 10 days after your activation date, we will send you an EarthLink Installation Kit, which contains the hardware you will need to self-install your EarthLink DSL. The Installation Kit is accompanied by a DSL Installation Guide which will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to: plug filters into your phone jack; install your modem; and operate/run your DSL software.
Does EarthLink High Speed Internet require a phone line? A second phone line?
Only DSL requires a phone line (a second line is not necessary to use the Internet and make calls simultaneously). Cable, Satellite, and EarthLink Wi-Fi do not. Cable and Satellite do not. All EarthLink High Speed services come with free dial-up service (typically to use away from home); you would need a phone line wherever you wanted to use this free dial-up service.
Do I need cable TV to get EarthLink High Speed Internet?
No. For our cable Internet service, your home must only be serviceable by your local cable provider. Our DSL, Satellite, and EarthLink Wi-Fi services do not rely on cable service at all.
Can I use my existing cable or DSL modem equipment?
In most cases, yes. If not, we'll provide equipment for you at no charge. EarthLink Wi-Fi, however, requires specific equipment. Costs may be associated with the necessary equipment.
Can I talk on the phone and use DSL service at the same time?
Yes, you can talk on the phone and use your DSL service at the same time, on one phone line. There's no need to add an additional phone line for EarthLink DSL service.
Is my monthly telephone service included in the EarthLink DSL charges?
No. Your DSL connection will use your existing phone line, but your phone service will still be provided by your phone company. Your regular monthly telephone service charges are not included in EarthLink DSL service. Please see our Service Agreement for complete details.
For more information about Earthlink Internet Access options use the following links:
EARTHLINK INFO | EARTHLINK FAQS | EARTHLINK DIALUP | EARTHLINK DSL | EARTHLINK CABLE
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