Luke Pensworth
Are you looking for a new internet service provider, or did you just hear about the “lightning fast” speeds of AT&T Fiber internet service? Maybe you’re dissatisfied with Comcast or Verizon Fios and want to check out your options– in any case, if you want to see what AT&T Internet is all about, you’ve come to the right place. That’s what we’re here for.
With more than 40% penetration in the US, AT&T is arguably the top internet provider in the country. It offers a mix of DSL and fiber packages, starting at speeds from 3000 Mbps upwards of 5,000 Mbps for the most hardcore consumers.
Keep reading to learn more about all AT&t Internet offerings, including an in-depth review of its DSL and fiber plans, customer satisfaction ratings, pricing, perks/incentives, and a word on its contract structure, discounted internet offerings, and fixed wireless internet service for rural areas.
AT&T Internet Plans & Pricing
*Starting price for the first 12 months, effective 07/01/22. All offers and availability vary by location, tax and are subject to change.
**Speed dependent on area.
If fiber is offered in your neighborhood, you should definitely do it if the difference in price over what you are using now is negligible -- which is what it was for me - zdnet
To learn which plan is right for you based on the number of users, devices logged on at any one time, and activity (e.g., web browsing versus video calls), read our FAQ question below – Which AT&T plan should I get?
That said, some people won’t be in a big city and have access to the above fiber options. But AT&T has you covered with it’s broadband options which you can check out below.
But that can be totally fine with the Internet 10, 25, 50, 75 or 100 plan — again, you’ll get the fastest speed available for your area, up to 100 Mbps. If you can get that 100 Mbps speed or close, the price is pretty competitive and solid speed.
AT&T Internet: Perks and Incentives
AT&T regularly holds ongoing promotions to lure new customers and keep existing customers. As of this writing, one of its biggest offers is $250 in reward cards when ordering AT&T Fiber online and full payment of your cancellation fee from another provider.
Regarding plans, AT&T also promises no annual contracts or data caps.
Outside of that, tangible incentives like free Disney+ subscriptions are limited. Unlike Verizon and T-Mobile, which offer impressive third-party incentives like free Netflix Basic subscriptions and T-Mobile Tuesdays with rewards like discounted theme park tickets every Tuesday, AT&T is limited. AT&T ActiveArmor Internet Security, a 6-month Stadia Pro Pass for gamers, and a free WiFi gateway.
This may not be a big deal to some customers as the value of a $250 reward card when ordering online is comparable to the value of Verizon’s free Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions.
Bundling Options
| AT&T + DirecTV Bundles | Features | Price | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| INTERNET 300 + ENTERTAINMENT PACKAGE |
|
$124.99/mo. | View plans |
| INTERNET 300 + CHOICE™ PACKAGE |
|
$144.99/mo | View plans |
| INTERNET 1000 + CHOICE™ PACKAGE |
|
$169.99/mo.* | View plans |
*Price subject to change. Internet price after $5/mo. AutoPay & paperless billing discount (within 2 bills)
We like AT&T for its bundling with DIRECTV, one of the most prominent live TV providers in the country. Individual DIRECTV packages start with 155+ channels with nationwide coverage. Either DIRECTV or DIRECTV STREAM is combined with an AT&T internet plan, costing less than purchasing each one separately. In addition, all plans are on a no term contract and can be canceled at any time.
Who is AT&T's fixed wireless internet service for?
AT&T fixed wireless internet service is for people living in areas where AT&T does not have cable or fiber coverage, mainly rural areas. A wired ethernet cable connection is good for at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload speeds. These speeds are good enough for basic web browsing (e.g., email or social media) but not so much for streaming or audio and video conferencing.
To enable AT&T fixed wireless internet, a technician must come to your home to install your wireless equipment and antenna. One of the major downsides to AT&T’s fixed wireless internet is its intermittent speeds. In addition, weather interference and large obstacles could limit internet speeds.
What about hotspot access?
AT&T has thousands of hotspots around the country, allowing you to connect to the internet in places you’d least expect, such as your favorite coffee shop. It’s a neat perk since WiFi use does not consume any data. Simply go to your network list, search for the Network ID “attwifi,” and follow the on-screen prompts to log on.
Where can I find AT&T Fiber?
As of this writing, AT&T Fiber is available in the following states:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wisconsin
To learn if AT&T Fiber is available in your area, visit AT&T Fiber Coverage Map
AT&T Internet: Fees, Contracts, and Equipment
So what about fees? There are a few things to look at.
Fees: Compared to other providers, AT&T is not as expensive as one would think. Although there is a $10 fee to use AT&T’s gateway and a $99 fee for an in-home tech installation, these charges can be waived if you purchased your own modem/router and self-install (in select regions only).
Data Caps: AT&T imposes data caps of 350GB (Fixed Wireless), 1TB ( Internet, 10, 18,25, and 50 plans), and unlimited data caps on Internet 100 and all-fiber plans. For every 50GB of data you go over, your bill will see a $10 charge up to a max of $100 per month (except for Fixed Wireless customers who would see a $200 maximum). Although there are data overage fees, these limits are absurdly high, with most people not coming close to consuming that amount of data every month.
AT&T Customer service
AT&T’s customer service is on point, winning numerous accolades from industry-leading publications and customer survey organizations over the years. One of its most notable accomplishments is year-over-year strength with American Customer Satisfaction Index scores. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (2021) is tied for second place with Verizon, achieving a 2022 74 score, the same score from the previous year.
These satisfaction scores account for customer service and other success metrics for wireless phone service, like website satisfaction, network coverage, reliability, variety of voice/data plans, and more.
In other surveys, AT&T also takes the cake. For example, JD Power’s 2021 survey awarded the carrier #1 in Customer Satisfaction for Residential Internet Service in the North Central and South Regions, featured very prominently on its Internet Services page as of this writing.
On the business side, the JD Power 2021 US Business Wireless Satisfaction Study has AT&T in first place in the large enterprise segment and medium business segments. Although these segments are not related to AT&T Internet, it’s a testament to how well the company performs across the board.
AT&T has numerous ways to get in touch on everything, from viewing your bill to resetting your passwords, offering email, chat, and a dedicated customer support line.
A word on discounted AT&T internet
As a member of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program., AT&T offers discounted internet of up to $30 per month for eligible households, using the amount of $75 off your monthly bill if you live in tribal territory. In addition, most members have a household income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. They are members of various federal assistance programs such as SNAP, Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA), or the Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program.
To learn more about AT&T Affordable Connectivity Program requirements, visit AT&T Affordable Connectivity Program
Recap: Is AT&T Internet Any Good?
Despite so-so incentives and little value with bundling internet and DIRECTV STREAM, we are big fans of AT&T internet. It offers a healthy mix of broadband and fiber options good for the light to heavy data consumer. In addition, its no-contract plans and top Fiber offerings (unlimited data with speeds up to 5 Gbps) are good enough for lag-free performance for a lifetime.
What are some downsides to AT&T Internet?
As mentioned, AT&T Internet is known for charging too many fees. These include technician installation fees, equipment rental, and even late payment fees of up to $9.99. However, many of these fees can be avoided by purchasing your own router and/or installing it.
Another area we feel AT&T Internet could improve upon is its internet and DIRECTV STREAM bundling. As of this writing, incentives are limited to a $5 autopay /paperless billing discount and a free 3-month HBO Max, SHOWTIME, STARZ, EPIX, and Cinemax subscription. This barely scratches the surface compared to competitors like Verizon and Comcast, too willing to offer year-long subscriptions on top of prepaid cards for your business.
FAQs
What is AT&T Fixed Wireless?
AT&T Fixed Wireless offers fixed wireless service in underrepresented areas like farms and rural towns that don’t have the serious infrastructure yet. Most expected 30Mbps download speeds, making it a better deal for smaller households. Along with slower speeds, installation is a slight convenience, requiring an outdoor antenna and a home router to feed internet into the home.
Does AT&T Fixed Wireless have a data cap?
Yes, AT&T Fixed Wireless has a monthly data cap of 350Gbps.
Which AT&T plan should I get?
Choosing the right AT&T plan comes down to one question – what are you using your internet for? If you are a light streamer, go with Internet 10, 18, or 25 plans. If you are a light online gamer, Internet 50 should do the job. For heavy data users, binge-watchers, and super work-from-home people, we prefer Internet 100 and higher up to fiber speeds.
See our breakdown below for each plan’s recommended number of users and devices –
- Internet 10 – One user and one device
- Internet 18 – One user with up to four devices
- Internet 25 – Two users with up to five devices
- Internet 50 – Three users with up to six devices
- Internet 100 – 4+ users with up to eight devices
- Internet 1000 – 5+ users with 10+ devices
How does fiber internet work?
Fiber infrastructure performs its magic using flexible glass or plastic strands that pass data back and forth in the form of light. Light transfer is much faster than cable internet coaxial cables passing electricity and less susceptible to service interruptions.
