AT&T Internet Review: Let’s Look at Plans, Pricing, Speed and Availability

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AT&T home internet rating

Pros

• No contracts required to receive the lowest available price
• No data caps for any fiber plans
• Valuable perks and promotional offers

Cons

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• Much slower DSL plans are more prevalent than fiber options
• Data caps enforced on all non-fiber plans

AT&T Internet Service Review

AT&T stands out as one of the few **internet providers** offering a diverse array of connection types: 5G home internet, DSL, and **fiber internet**. Boasting over 28 million subscribers and recognized as the nation’s fastest ISP, according to Ookla data from the second half of 2024, AT&T remains a favored choice for home internet solutions. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as FASTNET, Ziff Davis.)

But how do AT&T’s numerous internet options perform? If you reside in one of the 22 states served by AT&T’s wired internet and are among the eight million eligible for their **fiber internet plans**, you’re in luck. AT&T’s fiber service delivers optimal value with dependable, high-speed connectivity. This comes as welcome news, especially given a recent FASTNET survey revealing that over 40% of US internet users report encountering unreliable broadband connectivity.

However, many AT&T customers aren’t within fiber-wired areas. Instead, AT&T connects them via fixed wireless connections like AT&T Internet Air or AT&T Fixed Wireless, utilizing 4G LTE, or its DSL hybrid service. This translates to diminished value and considerably slower speeds compared to fiber.

In essence, endorsing AT&T **home internet** hinges on your location and the available service types. If AT&T Fiber is accessible, prioritize it. Otherwise, explore alternative internet service providers to potentially surpass AT&T’s fixed wireless or DSL offerings.

Let’s explore the specifics of AT&T internet service.

AT&T Internet Plans Overview

Source: FASTNET analysis of provider data.

When exploring AT&T’s **home internet service**, one of several outcomes may occur. If you encounter the 300, 500, or gigabit speed options at your address, you can access AT&T’s fiber internet service, powered entirely by fiber technology. Fiber connections inherently offer symmetrical speeds, meaning your upload speeds mirror your download rates, distinguishing them from DSL, cable, and other internet forms. This proves particularly beneficial for videoconferencing, file transfers (crucial for remote work and education), and online gaming.

AT&T officially ceased offering its full DSL networks to new subscribers in 2020. Currently, it employs a DSL-fiber hybrid framework to provide speeds reaching up to 100Mbps, rebranded as “AT&T Internet.” While these plans are contract-free, expect a 1.5TB data cap. AT&T has recently declared plans to discontinue its DSL-hybrid offerings by 2029, although the implementation remains to be seen.

Alternatively, AT&T also furnishes fixed wireless internet connections. AT&T’s Fixed Wireless, relying on 4G LTE, delivers speeds up to 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload. In 2023, AT&T unveiled AT&T Internet Air, a newer fixed wireless solution aimed at current customers with slower DSL plans. This plan offers download speeds up to 225Mbps and upload speeds up to 30Mbps. Meeting the FCC’s benchmark for home broadband at 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload, it’s a viable substitute for DSL if top speeds are attainable. However, when FASTNET’s Joe Supan conducted a one-week trial of AT&T Internet Air, consistent broadband speeds were not reliably achieved.

To summarize, AT&T’s most dependable and cost-effective options are its fiber internet plans, devoid of contracts or data caps, and featuring speeds reaching 5,000Mbps. AT&T reports that three fiber plans — Internet 300, Internet 500, and Internet 1000 — are available to roughly 21 million customers within its service footprint. The multi-gig plans cater to a smaller fraction, currently just over 8 million. Overall, AT&T Fiber spans over 100 major cities across the US, according to the company’s website. All AT&T fiber plans represent robust options, with the company’s broader fiber-optic service often topping customer satisfaction surveys and polls.

AT&T Internet Availability

Wondering where you can access AT&T **internet service**?

AT&T’s wired internet footprint extends across 22 states:

Explore the AT&T coverage map for detailed city-specific information within each state.

Understanding AT&T Internet Terms

For the most part, AT&T’s internet service presents straightforward terms and conditions. However, certain aspects diverge from other ISPs and warrant attention.

Equipment Costs

AT&T incorporates equipment rental fees into your monthly service bill for all internet plans. You might even qualify to utilize your own equipment in certain instances.

One-Time Fees

AT&T levies a $99 charge for complete, in-home tech setup for DSL service. Certain addresses lack a self-install option; online verification determines “qualification” for a self-install kit. Fortunately, AT&T’s fiber and Internet Air plans often waive the setup fee. If unavailable, consider requesting a waiver when subscribing.

For signal amplification in larger homes, AT&T provides a Smart Wi-Fi Extender. The gateway modem is bundled in the monthly cost, while the extender is complimentary for customers with 2-gig or faster plans, otherwise costing $10 monthly.

Data Allowance Policies

This area requires careful consideration. Many AT&T **home internet** plans do not impose data caps, offering unlimited data, particularly with fiber plans. However, in certain areas, AT&T’s DSL hybrid remains the sole option, subjecting users to data allowances.

AT&T Internet plans ranging from 0.8 to 75Mbps include a 1.5 terabyte (1,500 gigabytes) data cap. Exceeding this entails a $10 charge per additional 50GB, up to $100 monthly. This aligns with other providers enforcing data caps, such as Xfinity and Cox, albeit offering slightly lower caps around 1.25TB. Cox also forgives overage charges in the first month, a courtesy absent with AT&T.

If your usage exceeds AT&T’s data allowance, consider upgrading to a fiber plan for unlimited data. For example, the Internet 300 plan maintains the same rate, offering faster speeds and unlimited data. Alternatively, bundling TV and internet services unlocks unlimited data, albeit typically involving a contract.

A final point: AT&T Fixed Wireless Internet caps data at 350GB monthly. While the $10 charge per additional 50GB remains consistent, fixed wireless customers might incur up to $200 extra per month in overage fees, demanding careful monitoring of data usage.

Promotions and Benefits

AT&T frequently runs promotions and deals, with the current offer being an AT&T Visa Reward Card for new fiber customers ordering online, ranging from $50 to $150 depending on speed tier. Cancellation fees are also covered in full when switching to an AT&T Fiber plan with qualifying offers.

Additionally, AT&T’s nationwide network of over 30,000 hotspots is accessible for free to all AT&T **home internet** customers, enabling connectivity on the go without consuming mobile data.

Customers with 2 gigabit or faster plans gain complimentary access to AT&T’s Active Armor internet security, valued at $80 annually. This technology provides tools shielding home internet and mobile devices from a spectrum of online threats.

AT&T Internet Customer Satisfaction

Compared to the competition, AT&T showcases strong customer satisfaction.

AT&T emphasizes its superiority, citing its robust performance in the 2024 J.D. Power US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study. Securing the top position in the North Central and West regions with an average score of 542 on a 1,000-point scale, only Verizon Fios (575) and Google Fiber (702) surpass this average.

In the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index, AT&T also achieved strong positioning. AT&T Fiber’s score of 80/100 remained consistent, outpacing all fiber ISPs and exceeding the industry average of 71 (76 among fiber providers). Since 2023, the ACSI distinguished between fiber and non-fiber providers, an advantage for AT&T. Even its non-fiber scores were competitive, registering 69, ranking third behind T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet.

Final Verdict on AT&T Internet

For those with AT&T Fiber access, securing a more compelling service and affordability combination is challenging. However, roughly half of AT&T’s coverage area lacks fiber plan availability. All other AT&T plans present limitations not shared by fiber, including slower download speeds and data caps. Simply stated, don’t hesitate to embrace an AT&T Fiber plan if accessible, but thoroughly investigate available alternatives if confined to DSL or fixed wireless options from AT&T in your region.

AT&T Internet FAQs