EarthLink

EarthLink is an American Internet service provider.

EarthLink
Private company
IndustryInternet service provider
Founded1994
FoundersSky Dayton, Reed Slatkin[1][2]
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia
Key people
Glenn Goad (CEO), Mike Toplisek (President)
ProductsInternet access, premium email, web hosting and privacy and data security products and services.
Number of employees
Over 100
Websitewww.earthlink.net

Business

EarthLink was formed in 1994. As of November 2016, it was promoting two service groups: Residential Solutions and Business Solutions.

Business Solutions sells communications, IT and virtualization, cloud computing, IT security, colocation, hosted applications and support services. The company owns and operates a U.S. network including 29,421 route miles of fiber, 90 metro fiber rings, and eight data centers. The group reports having more than 150,000 customers.[3]

EarthLink's Residential Solutions sell broadband (DSL/freestanding DSL, cable internet, 4G Internet, Satellite Internet), dial-up Internet, Web hosting and commerce, and related services. It also sells spamBlocker, Anti-virus and Online Back-up. Earthlink Internet services claim over 1 million customers.[3]

With the Trive Capital acquisition in January 2019, EarthLink services include Internet access, premium email, web hosting and privacy and data security products.

History

Early years

EarthLink was co-founded in March 1994 by Sky Dayton, investor Reed Slatkin and Kevin M. O'Donnell. Dayton, then only age 23, reportedly was inspired to start the dial-up Internet service provider (ISP) in Pasadena, CA after spending an entire week trying to configure his own computer for Internet access. Dayton’s experience convinced him that there was a market for a simple, user-friendly ISP.[4]

Co-founder Kevin M. O'Donnell helped raise capital for the venture and urged a number of significant old friends from his government technology days to join the Board. He recruited numerous Vice Presidents for the company, and brought in the first major round of funding, from Greg B. Abbott, a successful entrepreneur and former CEO of Ithaca Industries. He also hired CEO Garry Betty.

By 1995, EarthLink offered dial-up service in 98 cities, and was one of the first U.S. ISPs to offer unlimited Internet access for a flat rate.[5]

In 1996, EarthLink began to offer Internet services for businesses, including ISDN and frame relay Internet access[6] and web hosting.[7]

Initial public offering

EarthLink went public on NASDAQ in January 1997. Later that year, the company began to provide 56K dial-up access, doubling the speed of its dial-up service. EarthLink also teamed up with Charter Communications to offer high-speed cable Internet access.[8]

In 1998, EarthLink entered partnerships with Sprint, Apple, CompUSA, and other companies that helped it reach 1 million members by the end of the year.[5]

In 1999 EarthLink launched its TotalCommerce service for small business Web hosting and also became the first ISP to offer nationwide high-speed Internet access via DSL.[5]

MindSpring merger and other acquisitions

On February 4, 2000, the company, then based in Pasadena, California, merged with Atlanta-founded MindSpring, making it the second-largest ISP in the U.S., after AOL.[9] Later that year, the company launched EarthLink Biz DSL service.[10] EarthLink also acquired OneMain.com, a large, rural ISP,[11] and Rural Connections in 2001.

In 2001, EarthLink partnered with DirecPC to offer a two-way satellite Internet service.[12] The company also introduced a fixed-IP DSL service for the SOHO business market.[13]

On June 10, 2002, EarthLink acquired PeoplePC, a low-priced dial-up ISP.[14]

EarthLink launched a VoIP phone service for broadband users called Unlimited Voice in April 2003.[15] The company also released several free tools for its members to block spam, viruses, and spyware.[16]

New ventures

At the start of 2005, EarthLink and SK Telecom, the largest mobile phone company in South Korea,[17] announced a new joint venture called SK-EarthLink, later renamed Helio mobile phone company.[18] Helio, a new mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), targeted young, tech-savvy consumers with advanced wireless devices and services common in Korea but not the U.S. Helio launched a total of 7 phones (Kickflip, Hero, Drift, Heat, Ocean, Fin and Mysto) and had 170,000 subscribers before it was sold to Virgin Mobile USA in June 2008.[19]

In July 2005, EarthLink closed its in-house call centers to reduce costs.[20]

In August 2005, Earthlink acquired Aluria Software, LLC-a seller of Anti-Spyware software, based in Lake Mary, Florida.[21]

In October 2005, Philadelphia, PA,[22] and Anaheim, CA, selected EarthLink to build their municipal Wi-Fi networks.[23] EarthLink's Municipal Networks division would launch public wi-fi networks in Anaheim, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Milpitas, CA,[24] and win several more municipal contracts before EarthLink decided to exit the muni wi-fi business by the end of 2007.[25]

EarthLink launched two new voice services between late 2005 and early 2006: a VoIP service called EarthLink trueVoice[26] and a high-speed Internet and voice bundle called EarthLink DSL & Home Phone Service.[27]

In April 2006, EarthLink acquired New Edge Networks, a provider of network and communication services for businesses.[28] In June, the EarthLink’s Municipal Networks division launched the company’s first citywide Wi-Fi network in Anaheim, CA.[29]

In September 2014, the company partnered with Tech Data to provide a Desktop as a Service cloud offering.[30]

New business acquisitions

In October 2010, EarthLink acquired ITC Deltacom, a telecom service provider with 32,000 customers.[31]

In December 2010 EarthLink acquired One Communications, one of the largest privately held integrated telecom solutions providers in the U.S.[32]

In March 2011 EarthLink also acquired STS Telecom, a privately held business in Florida and Georgia.[33] STS Telecom was integrated into the new EarthLink Business division, along with the recently acquired One Communications and Deltacom, New Edge Networks, and EarthLink’s legacy Business Solutions.

In May 2011 the company created a new EarthLink Carrier division for wholesale customers with fiber-based transport, voice and data service, and switched services.[34]

Also in May, EarthLink acquired LogicalSolutions.net, an enterprise data center solution and cloud services provider.[35]

In August EarthLink acquired Business Vitals, a provider of IT security and professional services.[36] EarthLink also acquired xDefenders, a managed IT security company.[37]

EarthLink also purchased IT Solution Center and cloud-based application business from Synergy Global Solutions in 2011.[38]

In July 2013, EarthLink acquired CenterBeam, Inc., a provider of remote managed IT services—with an IT Support Center providing help desk, desktop technical support and application support services.[39]

Business network and data center expansion

In July 2013, EarthLink completed its previously announced plans to open four new data centers in San Jose, Chicago, Dallas and Miami on its next-generation cloud platform. This brought its total to eight.

In March 2017, EarthLink was acquired by Windstream Holdings, Inc., in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $1.1 billion, including debt.

In early January 2019, Trive Capital acquired Earthlink for $330 million in cash from Windstream Holdings Inc.

Leadership

On November 21, 2006, EarthLink reported that its CEO, Garry Betty, was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer which would have required him to take an undetermined leave of absence. The company's Board of Directors named Mike Lunsford, Vice-President of Voice and Access, as interim CEO. Betty died on January 2, 2007.[40][41] On June 25, 2007, EarthLink named Rolla Huff its President and CEO. On January 29, 2008, EarthLink announced that Rolla Huff would replace Robert Kavner as Chairman of the Board. In January 2014, Joseph F. Eazor replaced Rolla Huff as President and CEO.[42] In Feb. 2017 Joseph F. Eazor was replaced as CEO by Anthony Thomas, CEO of Windstream, as part of the merger. In January 2019, Glenn Goad became CEO with the Trive Capital acquisition from Windstream.

Awards and recognition
  • In April 2019, Earthlink (along with many other providers) was awarded "Fastest Internet Providers Nationwide" and "Most Affordable Fiber Internet Nationwide" by BroadbandNow[43], who used March 2019 MeasurementLab and FCC's Form 477 data for analysis.
  • In October 1996, EarthLink was named "Internet Company of the Year" by the Southern California Software Industry Council.[44]
  • In 2000, the company won PC World's World Class Award for Best ISP.[45]
  • In 2002, the company was named Top ISP by CNet for the 3rd consecutive year and received a 5-star rating from Smart Business.[46] Also in 2002, J.D. Power and Associates ranked EarthLink Dial-Up Highest in Customer Satisfaction. EarthLink High-Speed tied for the Highest in Customer Satisfaction ranking.[47]
  • In August 2003, J.D. Power and Associates ranked EarthLink High Speed Highest in Customer Satisfaction for the second consecutive year.[48]
  • In September 2004, J.D. Power and Associates ranked both EarthLink Dial-Up and EarthLink High Speed Highest in Customer Satisfaction.[49] EarthLink Dial-Up also received the PC Magazine Readers' Choice Award for the second year in a row.[46]
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See also

Notes
  1. Staff (March 27, 2002). "Earthlink co-founder charged with fraud, money laundering". CNN. Time Warner. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved June 12, 2008.
  2. Tkacik, Maureen (March 27, 2002). "EarthLink Co-Founder Slatkin Admits to Fraud in Ponzi Scheme". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
  3. "About Us". EarthLink. Archived from the original on July 15, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
  4. Borland, John. "The ultimate ISP survivor faces a crossroads in broadband". Cnet. Archived from the original on May 15, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  5. "EarthLink Inc". Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  6. "REPEAT/EARTHLINK CUTS UNIQUE DOMAIN WEB SITE HOSTING SET UP FEE BY MORE THAN $800". Archived from the original on June 23, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  7. "Earthlink Inc". Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  8. Kaplan, Karen. "EarthLink, MindSpring Agree to Merge : Technology: The combination would create 2nd-largest Internet service provider". LATimes.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  9. "EarthLink Offers B2B DSL Services in Three States". internetnews.com. April 12, 2000. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  10. "EarthLink to Acquire OneMain.com; Deal Will Help Compete With AOL". wsj.com. June 9, 2000. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  11. "EarthLink launches satellite Internet service". CNN Tech. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  12. "EarthLink offers DSL users fixed IP address option". Macworld. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  13. "EarthLink Agrees to Buy PeoplePC for $10 Million". wsj.com. June 10, 2002. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  14. "EarthLink Introduces EarthLink Unlimited Voice Broadband Telephone Service; EarthLink Becomes First Major Nationwide ISP to Deploy Full-Scale Voice-over- IP Solution to End-Users". The Free Library. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  15. "EarthLink Launches Virus Blocker". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  16. "South Korea: SK Telecom Goes LTE". DailyWireless.org. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  17. "EarthLink announces joint venture with SK Telecom". Wireless Industry News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  18. Reardon, Marguerite. "Virgin Mobile USA buys Helio for $39 million". Cnet. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  19. Husted, Bill (July 26, 2005). "EarthLink to cut 180 customer service workers Work to be outsourced overseas". Atlanta Journal Constitution.
  20. "EarthLink Acquires Aluria Software". August 22, 2005. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  21. "Philadelphia Picks EarthLink for Wi-Fi". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  22. "EarthLink wins second muni Wi-Fi contract". Connected Planet. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  23. Reardon, Marguerite. "EarthLink rolls out more citywide Wi-Fi". Cnet. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  24. "Philadelphia Wi-Fi project now in jeopardy, EarthLink may back out". Beta News. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  25. "Earthlink launches trueVoice a national broadband VoIP service". Archived from the original on October 1, 2005. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  26. "Earthlink Launches DSL, VOIP". Light Reading. Archived from the original on March 8, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  27. "EarthLink Acquires Virtual Private Network Company, New Edge Networks". The Hosting News. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  28. "EarthLink Launches The City Of Anaheim Municipal Wireless Network". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  29. "Tech Data and EarthLink Form Cloud Partnership". Archived from the original on September 19, 2014. Retrieved September 16, 2014.
  30. "EarthLink to Acquire Deltacom for $516M". Fox Business. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  31. "EarthLink Buys Telecom Services Company One Communications For $370 Million". Techrunch. Archived from the original on March 25, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  32. "EarthLink Completes Acquisition of STS Telecom Adds Hosted VoIP Expertise to EarthLink Business Product Portfolio". Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  33. "EarthLink launches EarthLink Carrier". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  34. "EarthLink Acquires LogicalSolutions.net". Archived from the original on September 20, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  35. "Earthlink Buys Business Vitals". telecomramblings.com. August 3, 2011. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  36. "EarthLink acquires xDefenders". TelecomPaper. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  37. "EarthLink Completes Acquisition of IT Solution Center from Synergy Global Solutions". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  38. Couret, Jacques. "EarthLink acquires CenterBeam". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 7, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  39. Keefe, Bob. "EarthLink: Illness Drives Leader Shuffle." Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 22, 2006. Business Section 1C.
  40. Roberts, Paul F (January 3, 2007). "affordable web hosting CEO Betty dead at 49". InfoWorld. Retrieved January 3, 2007.
  41. Matthew Daneman, Staff writer (December 23, 2013). "affordable web hosting CEO Rolla Huff retires". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  42. "BroadbandNow's Earthlink Provider Page". Archived from the original on June 26, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  43. "EARTHLINK NETWORK SELECTED AS INTERNET COMPANY OF THE YEAR". Archived from the original on May 21, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  44. "IDG's PC World Announces 2000 World Class Award Winners". PR Newswire. Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  45. "EarthLink's History". Archived from the original on January 9, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  46. "J.D. Power and Associates Reports: EarthLink Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Dial-Up Internet Service Providers". All Business. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  47. "EarthLink High Speed Internet Service Ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction By J.D. Power and Associates". Archived from the original on March 23, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  48. "J.D. Power: Customers rank EarthLink as top ISP". CED. Archived from the original on May 21, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2012.

References
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