Rob has 15+ years experience running price comparison & review websites that empower consumers to find the cheapest cell phone services, cell phone deals, home phone, and internet providers available. He has been published in Forbes, US News, Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc.
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Pros
Flexible bundling options
Quickly expanding fiber network
DSL service available
Extensive rural availability
Cons
Data caps on some plans
Contract required for best deals
When most people think of AT&T they automatically think cell phone service. However, AT&T offers a wide range of entertainment options - including internet, TV, and home phone service.
We'll summarize the pros and cons of AT&T's internet packages to help you decide if this is the best internet service provider in your area.
The availability of the AT&T internet plans is dependent on where you live. While it fails in comparison to the myriad offerings by comparable providers like Comcast, you still receive a healthy selection of AT&T internet plans.
Additionally, you will have access to AT&T WiFi hotspot if you purchase a package. AT&T WiFi hotspot is available in thousands of areas at no fee to the customer, and - better yet - AT&T offers an instant WiFi hotspot to anyone, but those who aren't subscribers will have to pay a fee.
With the AT&T TV bundles, you'll have access to digital TV packages, including U-Family TV, that is equipped with parental controls. AT&T also features parental controls for its internet service, dubbed Smart Controls.
This service, which is free of charge for AT&T internet customers, allows you to control what your children can do and view online. Wondering what you've been missing?
If you also want home phone service, AT&T has you covered with this bundle option. This plan builds on the AT&T TV + internet one with its digital home phone offering. Similar to the other AT&T plan, it requires a one-year commitment and you can lock into your price during AT&T promotional periods for two years.
By digital home phone offering, I'm referring to simply the digital home phone, which is now called AT&T Phone. However, you can opt for AT&T Phone in the bundle, as well as GoPhone Wireless home phone.
AT&T internet speeds
AT&T offers a variety of different high-speed internet options:
6 Mbps plan - This plan is perfect if you want to surf the web or check email, but don't require much in the way of streaming TV shows or playing video games online. When you sign up for this plan, you do receive the antivirus suite through McAfee to provide another layer of protection.
Internet Max - which provides you with 12 Mbps. With this plan, you are able to view internet TV services such as Netflix and Hulu, though video gaming could be an iffy experience.
U-Verse high-speed internet plan - With this plan, you receive 24 Mbps downstream speeds quick enough for your movie or TV show streaming needs. It's also the perfect plan if you want to connect multiple devices to the internet while not encountering a lag in service speeds.
45 Mbps plan - This internet access plan is best suited for connecting multiple devices and streaming shows or playing games on them. While this plan is great at the speeds it offers, it pales in comparison to some offerings from Comcast, where you can receive more than double of these downstream and upload speeds.
Fiber optic internet - As noted above, this service allows you the fastest access to the items you want such as downloading 25 songs in a second. Furthermore, with upload speeds alongside download speeds.
AT&T internet availability
Use our internet provider zip code checker to see if services are available in your area. It will allow you to compare providers and plans available at your address. You can also check out the AT&T coverage map.
AT&T internet in my area
AT&T features
Services
TV/Internet/Landline
States Covered
21 states
Population Covered
370M
Connection Type
DSL, fixed wireless, cable & fiber
Internet Speeds
768kb - 1000Mbps (varies by area)
Modem
Included
TV Channels
565+
4K Channels
Contract
None
AT&T internet equipment & fees
One of the immediate benefits of the AT&T U-verse internet service is that you'll receive professional installation of all the necessary equipment after you select a plan.
If you sign up during a promotional period such as the holidays, you might not have to pay for the installation at all.
Here are your equipment options with AT&T U-verse:
Wireless Gateway Modem - This serves as the connection hub throughout the home, where you can connect your devices via WiFi and depending on the speeds you select, stream video, play music and more.
Internet security suite powered by McAfee - This internet security suite comes available with every internet plan, which, coupled with safe browsing behaviors, can keep your information safe.
Fiber Optic Technology - Depending on which area you live in, you might be able to take advantage of fiber optic technology through AT&T. To give you an illustration of how fast this network is, AT&T boasts that you can download a 90-minutes movie in under 34 seconds.
AT&T benefits
High-speed internet:AT&T internet plans offer fast upload and download speeds, but speeds vary so you'll need to check coverage in your area.
Data caps: All AT&T internet deals with 10-100 Mbps have a 1TB data cap, but you can pay extra for unlimited. However, AT&T fiber plans are unlimited so there is no data cap.
Download speeds: Although speeds can vary with internet service providers and connection type, AT&T fiber ranges from around 300 to 4,700 Mbps. Whereas DSL ranges from around 10 to 100 Mbps. You can check availability in your area with our AT&T Internet speed test, to see if you can get AT&T fiber internet at your home.
Monthly costs: Ranging from around $55 up to $180 a month, the cost is dependent on availability in your area and the plan you choose.
Parental controls: Available on certain Wi-Fi gateways, if it's a priority make sure to check if your package or device has access.
Coverage: With a large network across 21 states, AT&T offers wide area coverage.
No contracts: With AT&T prepaid internet only plans, there are no long-term commitments, you'll only need to sign a contract if you bundle your services.
Bundle your services: You can save money with AT&T bundle deals. Whether you're looking at bundling TV, Internet, and phone or just two services, there are plenty of products and services to choose from.
TV channel lineup:AT&T TV packages start from around 65+ channels. The AT&T TV channel lineup varies with the packages but can include Cinemax, HBO Max, Showtime, STARZ, and other premium channels.
DIRECTV Stream: AT&T TV is now known as DIRECTV Stream, and with this, you're able to stream simultaneously at home, on as many devices as you want.
Digital home phone: With AT&T phone services you can choose from a traditional landline or opt for a digital voice service that gives you crystal clear calling.
Customer service: Find out more on customer satisfaction and what AT&T customers are saying with AT&T reviews.
While the support is much better than say Comcast, that is setting the bar quite low!
AT&T's customer service representatives are attentive, but be prepared for a sticker shock if you plan to stay with the company after your promotional period ends.
AT&T internet plans FAQs
What is the best AT&T internet plan?
AT&T offers a wide range of internet packages with different internet speeds and prices to suit most people's needs.
How much does AT&T internet cost?
AT&T offers internet plans with prices starting at $55 per month.
Does AT&T offer internet only plans?
Yes, AT&T has internet only plans.
Is AT&T internet good?
AT&T is a good option to consider, delivering a great selection of internet speeds and packages to satisfy a wide range of customer budgets and preferences.
Adding to its allure is its 99 percent internet connection reliability, free anti-virus software, and excellent entertainment bundling options you won't find with other providers.
With these things in mind, if you are seeking the best internet providers, like these here, you should give AT&T closer consideration.
