AT&T offers a wide variety of internet plans utilizing fiber-optic cables, copper cables or wireless connections. The company has reputable customer service, with phone support, live chat and in-store support.
Its fiber plans are ideal for streaming, gaming, video chatting and sharing files (like uploading videos and images). Plus, they can handle connections from several devices at once while minimizing lags and buffering times.
The company’s fiber internet plans are very limited and typically only available in large metropolitan areas. For those that aren’t in a coverage area, AT&T offers internet delivered by copper cables at much slower speeds.
In our research, we found that AT&T’s fiber internet is reliable and fast, making it worth it for families, individuals and professionals who need regular access to the internet. Its non-fiber plans, however, aren’t ideal and there are faster plans on the market for less money.
The bottom line — if AT&T’s fiber internet is available where you are, sign up. If not, consider another ISP.
Pros
- Ability to bundle with TV and mobile to save money
- Unlimited data plans
- No annual contracts
Cons
- Limited availability
- No free installation
- Low minimum download speed
Table of Contents
- AT&T Internet at a Glance
- Other Features and Benefits
- AT&T Internet Plans
- How Much Does AT&T Internet Cost?
- AT&T Internet Coverage
- What Speeds Can You Expect With AT&T Internet?
- AT&T Internet Contracts/Equipment/Fees/Hardware
- AT&T Internet Bundles and Deals
- How Does AT&T Internet Perform on Customer Service?
- Getting Internet: We Put AT&T Internet to the Test
- What You Can Expect From AT&T Internet
- What We Like About AT&T Internet
- What We Didn’t Like About AT&T Internet
- How AT&T Internet Stacks Up
- AT&T Internet Reviews and Experience
- Is AT&T Internet the Right Internet Provider for You?
AT&T Internet at a Glance
The American Telephone and Telegraph Company, known today as AT&T, is the largest telecom company and one of the largest internet service providers (ISP) in the world.
AT&T’s history dates back to 1878 with the invention of the telephone. The company began offering dial-up internet services to consumers in the 1990s. AT&T expanded its internet offerings as technology evolved, later introducing DSL, cable, fiber-optic and wireless internet connection types. The company phased out DSL in 2020 and is now focusing on fiber and cable internet.
As of 2023, AT&T had more than 15 million broadband internet subscribers across 22 states.
The company topped our list of Best Internet Providers and made it onto our list of Best Fiber Internet Providers. We found AT&T to have competitively priced plans, multiple resources for customer support and great customer ratings.
AT&T offers some of the fastest internet speeds on the market through its growing fiber network. Those who don’t have access to its fiber internet can opt for its much slower plans relying on copper wire to deliver internet to households. Or, if available, you can opt for AT&T’s 5G plan that utilizes a wireless connection.
Other Features and Benefits
Bundles to Save Money
For new and existing customers, AT&T offers deals when you bundle its fiber internet with DIRECTV, wireless phone service, AT&T Home Phone or all three.
New customers can get fiber internet (if it’s available) for $35 per month when they add an eligible AT&T postpaid wireless plan. Existing AT&T wireless customers can add AT&T Fiber service starting at $35 per month, which is a savings of $20 per month.
Bundle costs and availability varies from place to place. You can check what you’re eligible for by calling AT&T or checking the website.
Moving Services
AT&T offers support for customers on the move. Customers can call AT&T and talk to a moving specialist to request a service transfer to a new address. If the same internet or TV plan isn’t available at your new address, AT&T will work with you to find a new one.
AT&T Internet Plans
Through its growing fiber network, AT&T offers some of the fastest internet speeds on the market. Fiber internet customers can get plans with high-speed connections of 300 Mbps or faster and unlimited data, which makes streaming, gaming and sharing files a breeze.
If AT&T’s fiber internet isn’t available in your area, you can choose from its other home internet plans, a hybrid of fiber-optic and copper cable. Compared to fiber connections, these speeds are much slower, topping out at 100 Mbps for download speed and 20 Mbps for uploads.
AT&T has also started offering a 5G internet plan to select areas, called Internet Air, to keep up with competitors offering similar services, like Verizon and T-Mobile. This plan features download speeds of up to 140 Mbps.
| INTERNET PLAN | MONTHLY COST | CONNECTION | MAX SPEEDS | DATA CAP | CONTRACT TERM | NUMBER OF DEVICES SUPPORTED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 300 Mbps | $55* | Fiber | 300Mbps | None | None | 10 |
| AT&T Fiber 500 Mbps | $65* | Fiber | 500Mbps | None | None | 11 |
| AT&T Fiber Up to 1 GIG speed | $80* | Fiber | 1Gbps | None | None | 12 |
| AT&T Fiber Up to 2 GIG speed | $125* | Fiber | 2Gbps | None | None | 12+ |
| AT&T Fiber 5 GIG speed | $225* | Fiber | 5Gbps | None | None | 12+ |
| Internet 100 | $55* | Copper cable | 100Mbps download, 20Mbps upload | None | 12 months | Up to 10 |
| Internet 50 | $55* | Copper cable | 50Mbps download, 10Mbps upload | 1.5 TB | 12 months | 5-7 |
| Internet 25 | $55* | Copper cable | 25Mbps download, 2Mbps upload | 1.5 TB | 12 months | 3-4 |
| Internet Air | $55* | 5G | 40-140 Mbps download, 5-25Mbps upload | 350 GB | None | 20 |
AT&T’s Fiber plans deliver internet service powered by fiber optic cable, transmitting data much faster than DSL or cable internet. The downside is that it isn’t available everywhere.
AT&T’s non-fiber plans are much slower than the company’s fiber internet offerings, relying on copper wire to deliver internet. We recommend looking at other internet providers for faster speeds at lower prices if AT&T’s fiber internet plans are not available in your area.
AT&T Internet Air, the ISP’s newest offering, delivers internet wirelessly through a 5G network. It’s only available in select rural areas, making it an ideal internet choice for rural households and businesses who cannot get traditional internet service.
For plans with data caps, customers can pay $10 per 50 GB of additional data up to a maximum of $200 per month if they think they’ll exceed the limit.
How Much Does AT&T Internet Cost?
AT&T offers several internet services set at different monthly rates. The company doesn’t require annual contracts and there are no equipment fees.
However, there are discounts for customers who sign up for paperless billing and autopay. Those who bundle services (like with DIRECTV or phone service) will get the best price.
All of AT&T’s internet plans may require a $99 professional installation fee, which is more common for fiber internet plans. It ultimately depends on the plan you choose and where you live. You’ll see if you are eligible for a self-install kit when you check out.
| INTERNET PLAN | MONTHLY RATE | EQUIPMENT FEE | INSTALLATION FEE | TYPICAL TWO-YEAR COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 300 Mbps | $55* | $0 | $99 | $1,419 |
| AT&T Fiber 500 Mbps | $65* | $0 | $99 | $1,659 |
| AT&T Fiber Up to 1 GIG speed | $80* | $0 | $99 | $2,019 |
| AT&T Fiber Up to 2 GIG speed | $125* | $0 | $99 | $3,099 |
| AT&T Fiber 5 GIG speed | $225* | $0 | $99 | $5,499 |
| Internet 100 | $55* | $0 | $99 | $1,419 |
| Internet 50 | $55* | $0 | $99 | $1,419 |
| Internet 25 | $55* | $0 | $99 | $1,419 |
| Internet Air | $35* | $0 | $99 | $939 |
Note that the monthly rate ($55/mo.) for AT&T’s Internet 100, Internet 50 and Internet 25 plans is only guaranteed to new customers for the first 12 months of service. After that 12-month period, AT&T says the prevailing rate applies unless you cancel the plan before the end of the 12-month period. The prevailing rate varies and is set by the provider after the first year of service.
AT&T Internet Coverage
AT&T is available in 22 states and the provider’s fiber network continues to grow. Note that fiber optic internet and 5-, 2- and 1-gig internet are only available around select metropolitan areas. Check AT&T’s website for availability.
Internet Air is the best option for rural customers.
AT&T home internet is available in the following states:
- California
- Michigan
- Nevada
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Missouri
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- Mississippi
- Indiana
- Alabama
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Ohio
- Florida
- Georgia
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Arizona
While some form of AT&T home internet is available in these states, not all speed options are available in all areas.
What Speeds Can You Expect With AT&T Internet?
AT&T internet speeds range from 25 Mbps to 5 Gbps. Lower speeds are sufficient for casual internet users who don’t need to connect to several devices at once. High-speed plans are suitable for high-resolution streaming, serious gaming and video chatting.
Upload speeds on AT&T’s non-fiber internet plans is slow, which can hinder file sharing and cause laggy streaming or gaming. Upload speeds range from 2 to 25 Mbps.
AT&T Internet Contracts/Equipment/Fees/Hardware
AT&T does not require contracts or equipment fees, but some new customers may face a $99 professional installation fee.
Whether or not you’ll be charged for professional installation depends on where you live and what plan you sign up for. New fiber plans are more likely to require professional installation.
Some customers are eligible for free self-install kits, which will be an option on the checkout page after you sign up for AT&T service on the company’s website.
AT&T Internet Bundles and Deals
New and existing AT&T customers can bundle internet, phone and TV service for discounts. Those who bundle services can save $20 per month on their bill.
How Does AT&T Internet Perform on Customer Service?
AT&T is well-equipped with customer service resources, making it easy for customers to find solutions to their problems. To help customers with their service, AT&T offers a bot-powered chat service, a customer service phone line, a community forum and a blog.
Getting Internet: We Put AT&T Internet to the Test
We found AT&T’s website to be easy to navigate for new customers. Once you’re on the AT&T website, head to its internet page and type in your address. Then, AT&T will let you know the best AT&T internet plan available in your area.
From there, you can easily sign up for service. As you check out, you’ll find out if you need to pay for professional installation or if your address is eligible for a free self-install kit.
You can also choose to add extra equipment to extend your Wi-Fi for an extra $10 per month.
While the website is easy to navigate for new customers, it isn’t as intuitive for users who are just exploring the different plans AT&T offers. There are multiple routes to get to the same webpage, and different plans highlighted on each page, which can get confusing.
However, there is a bot-powered chat and a 24/7 phone service where agents are available for instant support.
What You Can Expect From AT&T Internet
AT&T’s fiber internet plans do not have data caps, though the non-fiber plans are capped at 1.5 TB of data. That’s more than enough for typical internet users.
For plans with data caps, customers can pay $10 per 50 GB of additional data up to a maximum of $100 to $200 per month, depending on the service.
All of AT&T’s internet plans are subject to a $99 professional installation fee. Whether or not you’re eligible for a free self-install kit ultimately depends on the plan you choose and where you live — some households don’t have the necessary wiring in place and will require help from a pro.
Another thing to note about AT&T is that the monthly rate ($55/mo.) for the Internet 100, Internet 50 and Internet 25 plans is only guaranteed to new customers for the first 12 months of service. After that 12-month period, AT&T says the prevailing rate applies unless you cancel the plan before the end of the 12-month period. The prevailing rate varies and is set by the provider after the first year of service. As of August 2024, the monthly rate is $60.
What We Like About AT&T Internet
We like that AT&T offers several internet plans to choose from—even for rural households. The company offers plans with extremely high speeds suitable for streaming, gaming and video chatting without lags.
The company is also known for offering deals and discounts for bundling services, making it an affordable choice, especially for AT&T wireless and DIRECTV customers.
AT&T is ideal for customers who live in areas with access to its fiber internet plans. These high-speed plans make it easy to stream, game, video chat, share images and videos and more on multiple devices at once.
What We Didn’t Like About AT&T Internet
In our research, we found that AT&T’s fiber internet plans are extremely limited, meaning not everyone can take advantage of high internet speeds.
AT&T’s slower plans have sufficient download speeds, but their upload speeds are extremely slow. That can make transferring files, video chatting and gaming challenging.
If fiber internet isn’t available in your area, we suggest looking to another ISP for cable internet because it’ll likely be faster and less expensive.
How AT&T Internet Stacks Up
AT&T Internet vs. CenturyLink
Both AT&T and CenturyLink offer low-priced fiber plans, though they both have limited availability. AT&T internet service is concentrated around the southeast, while CenturyLink is more available in most of the western United States.
Both companies also offer ways to save with bundles and discounts for autopay and paperless billing, but CenturyLink’s prices are slightly lower than AT&T’s.
All in all, both of these providers are excellent choices, especially for fiber internet. But if fiber internet plans aren’t available in your area, look elsewhere for an ISP with greater availability.
Learn More: CenturyLink review
AT&T Internet vs. Cox Communications
The major difference between AT&T and Cox Communications is the speeds available. AT&T has faster speeds available than Cox with its 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps plans.
Keep in mind that those speeds aren’t available everywhere. Cox internet has limited availability, too, but it is available in some states that don’t have access to AT&T.
Both Cox and AT&T allow customers to bundle services to save money, and both providers rank similarly in customer reviews and customer support.
Learn More: Cox Communications review
AT&T Comparisons
AT&T Internet Reviews and Experience
AT&T has an A- rating on the Better Business Bureau, but only scores a 1.1 from customer reviews. The provider earns a 1.3 on TrustPilot, a 1.2 on ConsumerAffairs and a 1.8 on Google. Although some reviewers praise the company for its reliable service, others complained of poor customer support.
Is AT&T Internet the Right Internet Provider for You?
If you are within AT&T’s coverage area for fiber internet, we recommend going with AT&T. Its fiber plans are lightning fast at competitive prices, and the company offers a variety of customer support channels.
However, if fiber isn’t available in your area, we found that AT&T isn’t the best internet option. Its non-fiber plans offer slower internet at higher prices than its competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I get AT&T Internet service?
It’s easy to sign up for AT&T internet on the company’s website. Enter your service address and the provider will let you know which of its plans is available where you live.
How do I cancel AT&T Internet service?
To cancel your AT&T internet service, call the company’s customer service line and provide your account number and PIN. You can cancel anytime without incurring an early termination fee, but you must cancel before the end of your billing cycle to get a refund or credit.
Can I install AT&T Internet by myself?
When you sign up for an AT&T internet plan, the company will determine whether or not you’re eligible for a self-install kit or if your address requires professional installation. If you don’t qualify to install your AT&T internet yourself, you’ll have to pay $99 for a pro to do it.
How do you tell if AT&T Internet is throttling you?
To tell if AT&T is throttling you, test your internet speeds at different times of day. If you’re experiencing slower internet at peak internet usage times (between 6 and 11 p.m.), AT&T may be throttling you.
