EONET

FAQ: Your Transition to EarthLink

General Questions 
Does this transition affect me?
Why are you no longer providing dial-up Internet access?
When will the transition take place?
Will there be any interruption in my service?
Will my benefits change? What benefits does EarthLink offer?
What if I do not wish to continue my service with EarthLink?
Where can I find out about EarthLink's service and privacy policies?
I have a personal Web site as part of my dial-up service with Eonet / Ruralnet Will I be able to have a personal Web site at EarthLink?
What if I have Web hosting and dial-up services? 

EarthLink Account Setup 
Do I have to do anything to establish my account with EarthLink?
How can I start using my EarthLink account?
Will EarthLink’s TotalAccess software work on my computer?
Do I have to use EarthLink's TotalAccess software?
What if I need help after I receive my EarthLink software?
Can more than one person connect to my primary dial-up account at the same time? 

Email 
Will my email address change?
Do I have to use the email address that EarthLink assigns me?
After the transition, will I miss any email sent to my current email address?
What if I have multiple email addresses with my current dial-up service?   

Billing 
I pay by Automated Bank Draft (ACH). Do I need to take any action to ensure that my account is set up correctly?
I receive a paper invoice every month. Will I continue to receive a paper invoice as an EarthLink subscriber?
I have a complimentary Eonet / Ruralnet dial-up account. Will that be transferred? 
I pay by check. Where will I now send payment?
 

General Questions

Does this transition affect me?

If you have a dial-up Internet access account with Eonet / Ruralnet, your account will be transferred to EarthLink on February 20th, 2007.

Why are you no longer providing dial-up Internet access?

We’ve decided to focus on other aspects of our business. We’re confident, though, that you’ll enjoy all of the exclusive online features and benefits provided by EarthLink, the nation’s next generation Internet service provider (ISP). 

When will the transition take place?

We expect the transition to take place on or around February 20th, 2007, after which EarthLink will ship you a Welcome Kit with everything you need to start using their service. 

To avoid any delays in receiving your EarthLink Welcome Kit, please make sure we have your current shipping address on file before February 16th, 2007, at 5:00 PM CST. If you need to verify or update your address, please call us at 409-833-1700 during our normal business hours, or email us at [email protected] 

Will there be any interruption in my service?

Your Eonet / Ruralnet service will continue through March 12th, 2007, so you should not experience any interruption in your dial-up service. To ensure a smooth transition, simply install the EarthLink TotalAccess software CD included in your EarthLink Welcome Kit, which should arrive around March 1st, 2007.

If your Kit does not arrive in that timeframe, please notify EarthLink by calling 888-435-6207. Please do not contact EarthLink before this time as they will not have your account information until February 20th, 2007

In addition, we'll forward email to your new EarthLink email address until March 26th, 2007. This will give you plenty of time to get your family, friends, and business associates familiar with your new address. 

Will my benefits change? What benefits does EarthLink offer?

Your EarthLink service will include: 

  • EarthLink Protection Control Center -- provides up-to-date protection against spyware, viruses, hackers, and online scams, all from one, easy-to-use program!
  • Surf up to 5x faster than standard Dial-Up with EarthLink Accelerator**
  • Fast, reliable connections with thousands of access numbers nationwide
  • Easy Switch makes it easy to import your old email messages and address book, then have new email messages automatically forwarded from your old address
  • FREE 24/7 phone support from our Internet experts
  • Free Blocker Tools to help protect your privacy and safety online:

 — Virus Blocker

 — Spyware Blocker

 — spamBlocker

 — Pop-Up Blocker

 — ScamBlocker

 — Parental Controls


*Certain taxes and fees may apply.
**With EarthLink Accelerator, certain Web page text and graphics will load faster when compared to standard dial-up Internet service. Actual results may vary. Some Web pages such as secure or encrypted Web pages will not be accelerated. EarthLink Accelerator may not be compatible with proxy-based software or services such as content filters or firewalls. EarthLink Accelerator is only compatible with EarthLink's Dial-Up service and specified browsers. 

What if I do not wish to continue my service with EarthLink?

We believe you’ll be satisfied with EarthLink's award-winning service and support. However, you can opt out of the transition to EarthLink by calling us at 409-833-1700 during our normal business hours, or emailing us at [email protected] by February 16th, 2007, at 5:00 PM CST.

Where can I find out about EarthLink's service and privacy policies?

Just visit the EarthLink Policies and Agreements page.

I have a personal Web site as part of my dial-up service with Eonet / Ruralnet. Will I be able to have a personal Web site at EarthLink?

Yes. EarthLink offers 10MB of free webspace for each EarthLink email address in your account. If you do not already have your Web site's files stored on your computer, we recommend copying them to your computer as soon as possible. You can then upload them to your EarthLink Web space after the transition. For more information, please click here. 

What if I have Web hosting and dial-up services?

If you currently have Web hosting and dial-up services with Eonet / Ruralnet, only the dial-up portion of your account will be transferred to EarthLink.  

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EarthLink Account Setup 

Do I have to do anything to establish my account with EarthLink?

No. We’ll automatically transfer your account to EarthLink on or around February 20th, 2007. 

How can I start using my EarthLink account?

The easiest way to start using your EarthLink account is to install EarthLink's free TotalAccess software. TotalAccess will automatically configure your computer to connect to the Internet. EarthLink will ship you a Welcome Kit with a TotalAccess CD and a letter that includes your EarthLink email address and password. To avoid any delays in receiving your EarthLink Welcome Kit, please make sure we have your current shipping address on file before February 16th, 2007, at 5:00 PM CST. If you need to verify or update your address, please call us at 409-833-1700 during our normal business hours, or email us at [email protected].

Will EarthLink’s TotalAccess software work on my computer?

EarthLink's TotalAccess software works on both Windows and Mac OS computers. Windows Users click here for system requirements. Mac Users, click here.

Do I have to use EarthLink's TotalAccess software?

Installing TotalAccess is the easiest way to set up your Internet connection and email. TotalAccess also helps you avoid hassles like pop-ups and spam, and includes the EarthLink Protection Control Center, which provides up-to-date protection against spyware, viruses, hackers, and online scams—all from one, easy-to-use program! For more information, please click here. 

While we strongly recommend using TotalAccess for a superior online experience, you do not have to use it. For instructions on setting up your connection manually, please click here. 

What if I need help after I receive my EarthLink software?

If you need help after you receive your EarthLink Welcome Kit, you can always find easy, step-by-step instructions at the EarthLink Support Center. You can also trade real-time messages with a friendly EarthLink Live Chat representative. Or call 1-888-EARTHLINK. 

Can more than one person connect to my primary dial-up account at the same time?

Simultaneous usage occurs when two or more people access the Internet at the same time, using the same dial-up connection. You are only allowed a single dial-up connection to the Internet using your email address and password combination at any time. Any simultaneous usage is subject to a fee of $1.00 an hour.

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Email 

Will my email address change?

Yes. You’ll receive your new “@earthlink.net” email address in the letter included with your EarthLink Welcome Kit. EarthLink will make every effort to provide you with an address that is similar to your current address. 

Do I have to use the email address that EarthLink assigns me?

No. After you receive your EarthLink Welcome Kit, sign into EarthLink My Account to change your email address, and to add more addresses if you wish.

Note: If you change your EarthLink email address after the transition, you’ll need to give Eonet / Ruralnet your new address so your email can be forwarded. Please call us at 409-833-1700 during our normal business hours if you change your EarthLink email address.

After the transition, will I miss any email sent to my current email address?

To ensure you do not miss any messages, email sent to your current primary email address will be forwarded automatically to your new EarthLink address until March 26th, 2007. This will give you plenty of time to notify your family, friends, and business associates of your new address. 

What if I have multiple email addresses with my current dial-up service? 

Only messages sent to your primary Eonet / Ruralnet email address will be forwarded to your new EarthLink email address. Any additional Eonet / Ruralnet email addresses will no longer work after March 12th, 2007.

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Billing 

I pay by Automatic Bank Draft (ACH). Do I need to take any action to ensure that my account is set up correctly?

Banking regulations do not permit Eonet / Ruralnet to forward banking or routing information for ACH to EarthLink. For this reason your account will be set up as a check paying account.

Once your account is transferred to EarthLink, sign in to your EarthLink My Account and click on Billing Information to set up Credit Card as your payment method.

To change your billing method to automated bank draft, please contact a friendly EarthLink Live Chat representative after you receive your EarthLink Welcome Kit.

EarthLink automatically emails a monthly invoice at no charge to all subscribers who pay by credit card or bank draft. If you choose to receive a paper invoice, you’ll be charged a $1 monthly handling fee. EarthLink will waive this fee for your first 60 days.

EarthLink also charges a $1 monthly check-processing fee for payments made by check. If you currently pay for your Internet service by check, you can change your billing method from check to credit card or automated bank draft at any time after February 20th, 2007 to avoid the $2 monthly invoicing and check-handling fee.

I receive a paper invoice every month. Will I continue to receive a paper invoice as an EarthLink subscriber?

EarthLink automatically emails a monthly invoice at no charge to all subscribers who pay by credit card or bank draft. If you choose to receive a paper invoice, you’ll be charged a $1 monthly handling fee. EarthLink will waive this fee for your first 60 days.

EarthLink also charges a $1 monthly check-processing fee for payments made by check. If you currently pay for your Internet service by check, you can change your billing method from check to credit card or automated bank draft at any time after February 20th, 2007 to avoid the $2 monthly invoicing and check-handling fee.

To change your billing method to credit card, simply visit EarthLink My Account and click on Billing Information.  
To change your billing method to automated bank draft, please contact a friendly EarthLink Live Chat representative after you receive your EarthLink Welcome Kit. 

I have a complimentary Eonet / Ruralnet dial-up account. Will that be transferred?

Unfortunately, EarthLink is unable to offer you a complimentary dial-up account. Your complimentary account will remain active with Eonet / Ruralnet until March 12th, 2007.

If you’d like to set up a paid account to be transitioned to EarthLink, please contact us by February 16th, 2007, at 5:00 PM CST at 409-833-1700 during our normal business hours.

I pay by check. Where will I now send payment?

EarthLink charges a $2.00 monthly processing fee to pay by check. As a special consideration to former customers of Eonet / Ruralnet, we will waive this charge for your first two months of service.

You can avoid this fee in the future by switching to payment by credit card or bank draft. You can do this anytime after February 20th, 2007.

To change your billing method to credit card, simply visit EarthLink My Account and click on Billing Information.  
To change your billing method to automated bank draft, please contact a friendly EarthLink Live Chat representative after you receive your EarthLink Welcome Kit. 

If you want to continue to pay by check then we want to make sure you have our mailing address. Just send each monthly payment, along with the payment coupon included with your invoice, to:

EarthLink, Inc.
P.O. Box 6452
Carol Stream, IL, 60197-6452

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