AT&T Home Internet Review

In today’s constantly connected world, the internet is an integral part of our daily lives. We use it to work, play, learn, love and so much more, making reliable, speedy service a must-have. 

As one of the major names in the internet and mobile game, AT&T has a lot to offer anyone living in their coverage area. But is AT&T the right fit fo you? In this comprehensive review, we break down their coverage, plans, special features and pricing, and take a look at how they compare to the competition—to help you decide if they deliver on their mission of being the “best connectivity provider in America.”

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9.7

9.7

Get an extra $50 rewards card

Highlights
Fastest speed available: 5 GIG Internet (limited availability)
Get $20/mo. off with an eligible AT&T Wireless plan
AT&T ActiveArmor internet security
Equal upload and download speeds & unlimited internet data
Online only - Order AT&T Fiber® and get up to a $150 reward card

What is AT&T internet? 

Well known for their popular and reliable mobile service, AT&T keeps millions of internet customers covered, too, with plenty of plans that vary depending on your specific address. 

The company offers a suite of reliable internet plans, plus no annual contracts or extra equipment fees (included in monthly pricing), which may explain why AT&T internet ranked number one in customer satisfaction for the North Central and South regions, according to J.D. Power’s US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study.

Their newest featured service—AT&T Fiber—currently holds the top spot of the fastest internet service of any major provider. Delivering lightning-fast upload and download speeds over a 100 percent fiber optic network, AT&T Fiber is one of the best options out there if you’re one of the lucky customers who live in the somewhat limited coverage area.

For those of us who still qualify for their service but don’t fall within their expanding fiber network, AT&T can still keep you connected through a DSL hybrid or fixed wireless internet service. They’ve even recently launched AT&T Internet Air, which utilizes their reliable wireless network to deliver faster speeds to select locations.

Pros Cons
99 percent proven reliability Fiber network is not widely available just yet
Fastest fiber network with speeds up to five GIGs Highest speed fiber plans in very limited areas
Trustest telecommunication veteran Internet plans outside of AT&T Fiber can incur data caps and fees
Rated #1 in customer satisfaction for certain regions
No annual contracts or hidden equipment fees
No data caps or annual price increases with AT&T Fiber plans
Widespread coverage mainly in the middle or south of the U.S.
Variety of plans available to connect hard-to-reach rural residents
Special savings for current AT&T wireless customers when bundling
Value adds included with AT&T Fiber plans like All-Fi and AT&T ActiveArmor™ internet security

AT&T Internet Availability 

While the company is constantly looking to expand their coverage—especially their fiber optic network, AT&T internet is currently only available to customers in select areas of the following 21 states:

  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Nevada
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin

The best way to check if you are eligible is by entering your specific address directly on their website at AT&T.com. They’ll also automatically suggest the best and fastest plan available for your location.

AT&T Internet Plans & Pricing 

With multiple plans featuring fast speeds and reliable coverage, plus no annual contracts or extra equipment fees, most eligible customers can easily find an AT&T internet plan that fits their needs and budget. 

AT&T Fiber Internet

With speeds up to five GIGs in select areas, AT&T’s featured Fiber plan is hard to beat for fast, reliable service at a great value. Powered by a 100 percent fiber optic network, you’ll get much higher speeds than DSL or cable-based internet, plus AT&T Fiber plans come with equal upload and download speeds, no annual contacts, data caps or extra equipment fees. 

AT&T Fiber offers five plans: Internet 300, Internet 500, Internet 1000, 2 GIG Internet, and 5 GIG Internet. Most customers who qualify for AT&T Fiber will have access to the 300 Mbps, 500 Mbps or 1000 Mbps/1 GIG, ranging from $55 a month to $80 a month plus tax. A select number of customers who are eligible for the higher speed plans (2 GIG or 5 GIG) can expect to pay a premium for those incredibly fast hyper-gig speeds. 

Valuable extras are also included with the AT&T Fiber plans to give them the extra edge, like the AT&T All-Fi Hub that maximizes your Wi-Fi coverage across devices, plus the Smart Home Manager app that makes it easy to seamlessly manage and track your network. You’ll also get AT&T ActiveArmor™ internet security for 24/7 monitoring that helps block threats from ever reaching your devices. 

AT&T Home Internet 

If you’re not eligible for AT&T’s fiber plans just yet, you may be eligible for one of the company’s home internet plans. There are primarily DSL, which is a hybrid of fiber optic and copper cable. While these plans typically have slower speeds than pure fiber—particularly with uploads, they still provide the reliable service you’d expect from this reputable brand. 

Depending on your location, you can get AT&T internet plans that range from 25 to 100 Mbps for $55 per month plus taxes for the first 12 months (you must be enrolled in autopay and paperless billing to receive this pricing). Some customers may be charged a $99 installation fee, but it can be worth calling to see if this fee can be waived or if you qualify for free installation. 

For customers living in rural or particularly hard-to-reach areas, AT&T provides fixed wireless internet plans at around $69.99 a month plus taxes featuring download speeds around 10 Mbps. Some customers may qualify to try the new AT&T Internet Air plan that utilizes their 5G wireless network to get you connected for $55 a month plus tax.

AT&T Internet Deals & Packages 

Like many major internet providers, AT&T often runs promotions for new and existing customers. For example, at the time of this review, they are offering an $100 to $150 reward card for new Fiber Plan customers who sign up directly at ATT.com.

Eligible AT&T Wireless customers often qualify for additional savings if they bundle their wireless plan with a Fiber internet plan. Certain customers may also qualify for low or no cost internet service through the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program in combination with the Access program from AT&T. You can find out more information and see if you qualify by visiting ATT.com.

AT&T Internet Speeds 

Fiber optic networks are known to deliver upload speeds that are 20 to 25 times faster than traditional cable, and AT&T Fiber is no exception. In fact, with both download and upload speeds reaching up to five Gigs with certain fiber plans, AT&T delivers the fastest residential internet of any major internet service provider on the market today.

While serious gamers, content creators and remote work warriors may see a need for such high speeds, most of us don’t really need internet that fast. We appreciate that AT&T offers a variety of lower tiered plans that deliver speeds that are more than adequate for most households—at more affordable price points.

AT&T Internet Customer Service 

AT&T understands that performance is only part of the bigger picture, and believes that top-notch customer care is also paramount. 

In fact, AT&T takes the customer experience so seriously that AT&T internet was ranked first in customer satisfaction in the North Central and South regions, according to J.D. Power. 

The company offers a wealth of information and helpful resources online at ATT.com as well as within their community forums. You can also get more personalized support through their live chat feature or call center, which is open seven days a week.

Bottom Line: Why We Love It

Speed, service and reliability have become must-haves for our internet-dependent daily lives as well as major differentiators when it comes to choosing internet providers. AT&T Fiber internet delivers on all three and more at a value that’s hard to beat. Currently offering the fastest internet speeds of any provider on the market and taking the top spot in customer satisfaction in major regions, even the entry-level AT&T Fiber plan has the power to keep 10 devices connected for a price you can afford. The fact that you can also get additional savings by bundling with their wireless service makes this a no-brainer for anyone lucky enough to be in the AT&T Fiber coverage area. And while their fiber network is fast expanding to service more customers, AT&T also offers other internet options like DSL hybrid or fixed wireless, ensuring that everyone has the chance to get connected.

AT&T FAQs

AT&T offers a range of internet plans at different price points. The AT&T Fiber plans offer the most value for your money with a super fast, reliable connection (only available in certain locations). 

The entry-level AT&T Fiber 300 plan starts at $55 per month plus tax and provides a great mix of features and value that will fill most households’ needs. The slightly faster Fiber 500 plan is $65/month plus tax, and the Fiber 1GIG plan comes in at $80 a month plus tax. The maximum cost can go up to $250 plus tax per month for their top-tier Fiber plan featuring speeds up to five Gbps, but certain customers may qualify for free or low fee internet through the Access program from AT&T. 

Please note that these prices are subject to change and may vary based on location and other factors.

Yes, AT&T Internet is one of the most popular internet providers on the market connecting millions of customers across 21 states. It offers a reliable connection with its fiber internet service, which has been praised for its terrific value and high-speed performance. This makes it an excellent choice for activities requiring high bandwidth like gaming or video conferencing. AT&T’s internet prices are competitive, often in line with or cheaper than other providers. In addition to currently offering the fastest internet speeds of any major service providers (5GIG Fiber plan), AT&T Internet was also ranked first in customer satisfaction in the North Central and South regions according to JD Power Consumer Studies. 

For new AT&T Fiber customers (even those upgrading from another AT&T internet plan), professional installation through a technician is typically required and can cost around $99 (this fee can sometimes be waived via promotions). Fiber services require different equipment and lines, and can take four to six hours to be installed, so it’s best to trust this process to a professional if possible. In some cases, customers may request a self-installation kit free of charge. 

Yes, you can bundle cell phone and internet with AT&T. The company offers packages that allow you to combine these services for potential savings. For example, at the time this review was written, AT&T was offering a special savings of $20 a month for customers who bundled their wireless and internet plans together. These bundles often provide a convenient solution for customers who are looking to streamline their billing and services. The specific savings and package details may vary based on your location and the specific services you choose.

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Comprehensive Overviews

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Pricing Details

We break down how much the internet plan costs, noting everything that’s included for the different price points.
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Internet Provider Comparisons

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FAQs

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