Here is a 2517-word blog post comparing Amazon‘s Kuiper and EarthLink:
Overview of Kuiper and EarthLink
Amazon’s Project Kuiper and EarthLink both offer internet connectivity, but utilize different technologies to deliver that service.
Kuiper will be a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites designed to provide high-speed, low-latency broadband to a wide range of customers, including individual households, schools, hospitals, businesses, disaster relief operations, government agencies, and other organizations working in places without reliable connectivity.
The Kuiper constellation will eventually consist of 3,236 satellites and aims to offer 400 Mbps download speeds and 10-100 Mbps upload speeds according to FCC filings. It will focus on serving hard-to-reach areas.
EarthLink, on the other hand, delivers internet access primarily through fiber optic cable and DSL connections over existing telephone infrastructure. Currently available to about 78% of the American population, EarthLink offers speeds up to 1 Gbps download/upload for fiber customers and slower DSL speeds around 300-400 Mbps down and 8 Mbps up for others.
As the second largest ISP in the U.S., EarthLink has an established record of providing reliable wired internet services to over 5 million customers nationally.
Availability Timeline
One major difference between the two services currently is actual availability.
While EarthLink fiber and DSL is accessible for millions of households today, Project Kuiper is still in the development and testing stages. Amazon expects to launch the first two prototype satellites by the end of 2022 to evaluate performance, with wider commercial operation targeted for late 2023/early 2024 once the full fleet reaches orbit over the next five years.
So EarthLink is the only viable option right now for getting connected, while Kuiper’s service remains forthcoming. Customers aiming for the fastest speeds via fiber would need to determine if EarthLink services their location – DSL availability spans more households but offers slower rates.
Those in remote areas lacking wired infrastructure completely have Kuiper’s satellite-based internet to look forward to as an eventual solution for getting modern access.
Speed Capabilities
Judging connectivity speeds helps differentiate what users can expect from EarthLink versus the planned performance of Kuiper once operational.
For EarthLink fiber customers, top speeds of 1 Gbps upload and 1 Gbps download are achievable, making it capable of handling data-intensive uses like video streaming, gaming, and operating smart home devices without any lag. The minimum fiber speed is still 50 Mbps down/up.
Their DSL service offers much slower speeds more in line with Kuiper’s projections despite being wired connectivity. Maximum rates are about 400 Mbps down and 8 Mbps up, with 100 Mbps down guaranteed and 1 Mbps up typical minimum speeds.
Amazon intends Kuiper to deliver 400 Mbps downloads and between 10-100 Mbps uploads based on FCC application details. That download rate matches EarthLink’s top DSL speed, while uploads should be notably faster.
Latency for satellite is higher than wired broadband, however, so actual responsiveness may differ. Still, Kuiper presents a viable solution for unavailable fiber regions with its planned 100+ Mbps capabilities.
Service Pricing
Comparing the monthly cost of EarthLink vs. Kuiper also helps consumers budget for internet access and value the benefits of each respective platform.
Exact Kuiper pricing is still unconfirmed, but Amazon has hinted it will be competitively affordable compared to other satellite internet providers like Starlink at $110 monthly. Industry estimates expect plans less than $100 per month.
For now, EarthLink presents more defined and likely cheaper rates to users. Their fiber gigabit plan costs $59.99 a month with no contracts. DSL rates land around $50-60 monthly too for the fastest 300-400 Mbps tier. Slower DSL plans can dip as low as $40 per month.
In total cost,Kuiper’s hardware itself may require a slightly higher upfront cost between $200-$400 for the satellite dish equipment needed. Still, within a year or two, monthly fees should be similar between the two.
Supplemental Services
An extra element Kuiper will introduce through its satellite architecture is the ability to augment existing cellular networks, providing expanded 4G/LTE and 5G access for carriers.
Amazon recently announced a deal with Verizon leveraging Kuiper satellites to boost 4G and 5G extension into rural locations otherwise lacking coverage. This will allow Verizon subscribers reliable connectivity in more remote areas thanks to satellite support for its network.
EarthLink itself does not amplify wireless provider signals, but focuses solely on broadband availability. Users wanting both cellular and home internet would need to investigate options like Verizon + Kuiper bundles once available for the most robust access.
Equipment and Installation
To install EarthLink’s services, professional installation is typically required for hooking up the fiber optic line or enabling the DSL connection through phone lines already on-site.
Standard networking equipment like a wireless router is also needed to broadcast the signal locally and connect devices to the high-speed internet feed.
Kuiper’s satellite dishes can be set up personally by customers since no wired infrastructure setup is necessary. But for optimum placement pointing toward the sky, assistance could be useful. An active power source will be required alongside standard networking gear to share the signal.
Amazon is designing small, easy-to-install units to minimize complexity and make the technology simple for everyday people to deploy themselves just by plugging it in.
Upfront equipment fees can cost $200+ for purchasing an appropriate satellite antenna dish. Any installation help would add to the overall price. EarthLink averages around $150 for professional installation aid.
EarthLink: Pros and Cons
Examining the benefits and downsides of established ISP EarthLink compared to forthcoming option Kuiper offers further insights for shoppers evaluating their choices.
Some benefits to choosing EarthLink now include:
- Immediate availability for 78% of US households
- Top speeds up 1 Gbps with fiber
- Proven technology serving 5 million+ subscribers already
- Starting prices as low as $40/month
Meanwhile, a few of the disadvantages of selecting EarthLink may be:
- Slow max DSL speeds around 400 Mbps down
- Fiber networks only exist in certain neighborhoods
- Can have long, costly installation process
- Contracts and early termination fees are common
So while EarthLink supplies superfast fiber internet to some, DSL limitations and contract obligations are drawbacks to weigh for consumers choosing current options.
Kuiper: Pros and Cons
Though still in planning stages, early analysis of Project Kuiper does highlight both benefits and shortcomings to evaluate before its full launch.
Some positives of Amazon’s future satellite internet include:
- Space-based design works anywhere without ground wires
- Leverages AWS cloud infrastructure for reliability
- Can bring connectivity to fully remote locations
- Verizon network expansion creates cellular/internet bundles
But limitations to balance against Kuiper’s strengths:
- Beta testing won’t even start until 2023
- Peak speeds max out at 400 Mbps down per filings
- Satellite internet latency typically lags fiber
- May require clear views of the sky for best performance
Considering Kuiper is still years from going live, any technical constraints or real-world issues are still to be determined through their first testing. But the concept shows promise in regions lacking all connectivity today.
The Verdict: EarthLink Now, Kuiper Later
To summarize key differences in the Amazon Kuiper vs. EarthLink comparison:
- EarthLink leverages proven wired technology for internet access compared to Kuiper’s upcoming satellite network
- Fiber EarthLink delivers fastest speeds up to 1 Gbps, but availability limited only to some metro neighborhoods
- Kuiper’s LEO satellite design intended for rural users goes live 2023, peaks at 400 Mbps down
- Monthly costs look fairly comparable around $50-100 eventually between the two
- Those wanting internet today have EarthLink options ready, Kuiper coming in the near future
Based on all the differences and timing, EarthLink is the best bet currently for internet service given its substantial fiber footprint plus widespread DSL fallback. Kuiper’s satellite concept shows promise helping connect off-grid sites and enhancing cellular in a few years once launched.
Early adopters craving maximum speeds today in eligible regions should pursue EarthLink first, while rural users can await test findings on Kuiper’s capabilities before committing long-term. Both internet providers strive to make high-quality broadband more accessible nationwide through cutting-edge connectivity.
