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AT&T internet reviews

AT&T brand
Staff rating
4.5
Customer rating
4.1
(351)
Price: $55.00 - $180.00/moSpeed: 50Mbps - 5000MbpsChannels: 340+DVR storage hours: 20
STAFF REVIEW
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Researched by
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Reviewed by
Updated 2/10/23

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Some of the best value for fiber internet

AT&T offers one of the best values in internet service—fast fiber internet speeds at reasonable prices, plus some of the best support in the business and rock-solid reliability. With no contracts, no data caps, and no monthly equipment fee, AT&T is one of the best home internet providers we tested.


What we like

  • Competitive fiber plans
  • Solid customer support
  • Excellent reliability
What we dislike

  • Expensive installation fees
  • Higher monthly prices than some competitors
  • Few TV bundling options

Our expert assessment

Value
4.0
Fiber internet is a great deal

The AT&T fiber plans represent an excellent value proposition. The speeds are competitive, and the prices at any given tier are lower than nearly every other provider. One exception, Xfinity, offers slightly cheaper gig plans in some markets. Another, Google Fiber, offers $10 less on gigabit speeds. However, AT&T is more likely to be available in areas that have cable internet from Spectrum and Cox, and we think AT&T fiber is usually the better deal.

For the money with AT&T, you get outstanding download speeds and excellent upload speeds. And with unlimited data on fiber internet plans, you can actually use your gigabit connection without worry.

Some legacy customers may have DSL internet from AT&T. The most affordable AT&T plan is more than $50 per month, but this can either be basic DSL (speeds up to 75 Mbps) or the excellent, fiber-based Internet 300. If you can get only AT&T fixed wireless, you’ll pay higher prices, face data caps, and suffer through 1 Mbps upload speeds. Other providers just offer much better deals on plans in these tiers.

Performance
5.0
Fast, reliable speeds any time of day

AT&T claims 99% reliability (1) for its fiber internet service, and that’s pretty accurate in our experience. In fact, over several years of constant daily use in a packed house (two people working from home, two kids doing schoolwork, lots of streaming video and calls), we haven’t had a single major disruption. This is a marked contrast to our previous provider.

Additionally, speeds are consistent, with little variation based on the time of day, activity, or even the particular speed test used. Its median download speeds are slightly slower than its cable and fiber internet competitors, but only by a matter of milliseconds (2). This all adds up to a great experience where the service “just works,” and nobody ever really needs to wonder if they’ll be able to do what they need to do.

It's also worth mentioning that because AT&T fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables, upload speeds are equal to download speeds. That means you can upload huge files in seconds, video chat, live stream game play, and more without a hiccup.

Equipment and installation
4.0
Free equipment and free self-installs for fiber internet

AT&T fiber internet installation is about as simple as it gets. You have two options: a $99 professional installation by an AT&T technician or a DIY self-install kit.

If you can get only DSL with AT&T, the equipment is still free but you'll be charged a $49 activation fee. If you don't want to self-install, you can have a pro come out for an additional $99.

The self-install is very easy and comes with clear instructions, so we’d recommend that for pretty much everyone. Activation and configuration of your Wi-Fi network are handled through the simple AT&T Smart Home Manager app, so you don’t even need to log into the router settings page like with some other providers.

It is worth noting that both of these charges are a bit higher than what the competition charges. CenturyLink doesn’t charge for self-installation, for example, while Xfinity charges only $89.99 for a professional install.

That said, if you do need a professional to come out, you can count on fast and friendly service. We’ve personally had techs out on a couple of occasions and were happy with the experience.

Learn more about whether you need a professional installation.

Finally, the AT&T wireless gateway is surprisingly nice. Called AT&T Smart Wi-Fi, it’s super simple to set up, provides solid range, and looks decent on a desk. Compared to the routers and gateways provided by some other providers, this one’s a breath of fresh air.

Customer experience
5.0
Better customer service, with more options

Internet providers have traditionally had a terrible reputation for customer service, but AT&T scores above average with national rating organizations like the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). These ratings have improved over the last few years, which is encouraging.

AT&T offers several options for getting help:

The support site also has lots of information available. It’s easy to use, and if you do need more help, the options involving service reps usually get a quick, friendly response. While it’s not perfect 100% of the time, AT&T customer support tends to be better than average.

AT&T makes it easy to stay connected away from home, too. Subscribers get access to a nationwide network of free Wi-Fi hotspots. Since AT&T offers mobile phone service in addition to internet, you'll be able to log on in from almost anywhere.

We stand by the validity of our reviews and are committed to transparency: Our team uses consumer sentiment software to source customer reviews, which are entirely unique to this website. Reviewers attest to being current customers of the providers they review and are not incentivized to speak positively or negatively about their experience. We do not alter the reviews in any way. Learn more about how we source reviews.

AT&T customer ratings overview

AT&T
4.0
(351)
5 Star
40%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
14%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
4%
Our reviews come from real customers who weren't incentivized to leave a review. The rating distribution typically shows a range of experiences and opinions that helps you get a sense for the average customer experience, not just extremes.

Top reviews from AT&T customers

T
Tavia from Pineville , LA
AT&T Customer for Less than a year
Reviewed on: 2022-12-06
It does the job. I don't use it for much, just studying and social media
D
Donnafrom Cantonment, FL
AT&T Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-12-06
Overall I find the AT&T Internet experience to be pretty positive. The connection is mostly steady and streaming is excellent. I enjoy watching movies and rarely have a problem with buffering. As far as how they could improve the price is kind of ridiculbut I will continue with the service based on simply the way they out perform even straight cable.
L
Lisa from Dallas, TX
AT&T Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-12-05
We have had ATT internet for several years. We occasionally run into problems when all four members of the household are online at the same time. We are in a neighborhood without fiber lines.
K
Kimfrom The Colony , TX
AT&T Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-12-05
Very good service on all areas rarely any issues Very reliable
D
Debrafrom Imperial , MO
AT&T Customer for Less than a year
Reviewed on: 2022-12-03
At&t is a pretty reliable company. Installment was fast and easy and they even sent out a technician for our additional questions and needs
C
Cdjohfrom Ehitmille, SC
AT&T Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-12-03
Price and signal strength and consistency could all use improvement
T
Tiffanyfrom El Paso , TX
AT&T Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-12-02
I have never had my coverage dropped or had lots of buffering I like how it is and see no room for improvement
R
Ronaldfrom Wauwatosa, WI
AT&T Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-30
In the time we have been with AT&T, we have never had any outages, disruptions or any other problems with them. They are doing everything well. I can't think of anything they could improve upon.
B
Brucefrom San Diego, CA
AT&T Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-30
Overall quite good. Initially there were major problems when the system went down for 4 days, but since then has only gone out briefly and rarely
D
David from Detroit , MI
AT&T Customer for 4+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-30
Remain a leader in the industry
H
Hughfrom Houston, TX
AT&T Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-29
AT&T has been good at times, and very poor at other times. They are not always clear in their promotional advertising, and at times the transmissions are throttled.
P
Paulinefrom Indianapolis, In 46224, IN
AT&T Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-29
The internet is never hardly messes up, sometimes if there is a problem it is resolved very quickly.
D
Debrafrom Miramar, FL
AT&T Customer for 8+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-29
Att has fast internet and it hardly ever is down. They offer great value for the money.
F
Fortuna from Lexington , KY
AT&T Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-28
Good internet. It's fairly fast
J
Johnfrom Matawan, NJ
AT&T Customer for 1+ years
Reviewed on: 2022-11-27
AT&T has been great
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Endnotes and sources
(1) "Internet," AT&T. Accessed August 2, 2022.(2) "Fastest Providers," Speedtest.net. Accessed Dec. 9, 2022.