Is Earthlink an ISP?

1

This has always confused me. When we signed up for DSL ~6 years ago through Qwest (now CenturyLink) we were given the option of either MSN or Earthlink. We went with Earthlink. What exactly are they providing us besides email and some software? Are they the ISP, or is CenturyLink? How do Earthlink and CenturyLink interact with one another? Are they dependent of each other, or could you still have internet with just CenturyLink and not have Earthlink?

Marty

Posted 2012-09-07T22:59:21.237

Reputation: 393

Question was closed 2012-09-08T00:00:43.707

Earthlink.net says they're an ISP. CenturyLink.com says they're an ISP with additional bundled services like TV. – None – 2012-09-07T23:26:19.420

Answers

1

Earthlink is a real ISP in that they generally(but not always) have either ownership or a long term lease over the physical property that enables your Internet connection.For instance, they own approximately 30,000 route miles of fiber.

As for Qwest, they're a subsidiary of CenturyLink which in turn enables Earthlink's access to the old fashion telephone grid to further increase their base of customers.

Snesticle

Posted 2012-09-07T22:59:21.237

Reputation: 878

Asked: 2012-09-07T22:59:21.237

Viewed: 804 times

Active: 2012-09-07T23:41:54.233