Every some time, a review of services like TV or Internet is needed. This is simply because the technologies used change over time, affecting plans, number of channels, download and upload speeds, prices, and so on.
AT&T Internet Service
For this reason, we here now check into AT&T Internet service, formerly known as AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet. We’ll go over the technology, plans, speeds, and prices. Later on, we’ll go into details for each of these topics.
AT&T Internet Technology
The internet technology used for AT&T Internet has changed over the time. It evolved from dial-up in early stages, to fiber-optic technology being used today.
Currently, for wired connections, common AT&T Internet plans use one of the three technology principles. Which one is used depends on the speed of the plan. The three technologies are being known as ADSL2+ (copper wire), VDSL2 (hybrid fiber/copper network), and FTTH (fiber network only). The abbreviations used here stand for:
- ADSL2+ – Asymmetric digital subscriber line 2* plus
This technology uses copper wire only. This wires are actually phone lines, even though sometimes there’s no live line connected, but Inernet only. - VDSL2 – Very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber line 2*
This technology utilizes - FTTH – Fiber to the home
* 2 stands for second generation
With AT&T Internet using ADSL2+ and VDSL2 technologies, all speed tiers are asymmetrical. This means that the download and upload speeds are different.
With AT&T Fiber Internet, fiber network only makes it possible to have symmetrical download and upload speeds. This means that your 500Mbps plan could serve you with both download and upload speeds of up to 500 megabits per second.
Besides wired connections, there is also a wireless option which is available in select rural areas in the U.S. only. The technology used here is simply wireless connection coming from a wireless tower to a fixed antenna on customers’ homes or businesses. As per AT&T, this is an efficient way to deliver high-quality, high-speed internet to customers living in under-served rural areas.
AT&T Internet Plans
Common AT&T Internet plan availability depends on the area of service. The service is available in some areas of 21 U.S. state, as follows: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
If the service is available in your area, AT&T Internet Plans that usually show up after you enter your address are those that range from 5Mbps to 1000Mbps. Plans that use the combination of fiber and copper go up to 100Mbps, and those using fiber only, range from 100Mbps to 1000Mbps.
Now, speaking of plans, AT&T Internet can be ordered as a single service, or bundled with TV service. The AT&T TV options are DIRECTV or U-verse TV. Using Internet with other services like TV or phone is a qualifier for a lower price.
AT&T Internet Speeds
We already mentioned speeds while discussing AT&T Internet technologies and plans. Speed tiers of AT&T Internet service are in the wide range from 768Kbps all the way up to 1000Mbps. Please note that speeds lower than 5Mbps are normally not offered anymore when you check the service availability online. For example, DSL is still mentioned on the website, but a note is to call AT&T to talk about it.
Speeds that are usually offered after you enter your address like the following:
- 5Mbps
- 50Mbps
- 75Mbps
- 100Mbps
- 300Mbps
- 1000Mbps
All Internet tiers that are available in one or another way are listed at AT&T Internet Speed Tiers page.
AT&T Internet Prices
And now about what is considered as a deal breaker when about services like Internet – prices of AT&T Internet service.
Even though the list of AT&T Internet tiers is rather long, we’ll stick to the plans with speeds we listed above. Those are the speeds that get offered after you enter your address when checking the Internet service availability in your area. However, not all of these speeds may show up as that depends on the area of service.
You should know that prices of AT&T Internet are affected by factors like if you are ordering it with 12-month agreement or not, or as a standalone service or within a bundle. In order to make it easier for you to understand the pricing, here is the table that lays out how it works:
AT&T Internet Service | Download Speed |
Regular price without agreement |
Intro price with 12-month agreement |
Bundled with TV or Phone 12 months |
Internet Basic 5 | 5 Mbps | $50 | $40 | $30 |
Internet 50 | 50 Mbps | $60 | $50 | $40 |
Internet 75 | 75 Mbps | $60 | $50 | $40 |
Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | $60 | $50 | $40 |
Internet 300 | 300 Mbps | $80 | $70 | $60 |
Internet 1000 | 1000 Mbps | $100 | $90 | $80 |
You certainly noticed that prices for speeds 50-100 Mbps are the same. When checking the availability, you’ll get the highest speed that is available at your address. This depends on the infrastructure in the area which is the main reason why these different speeds are listed at the same price.
AT&T Reward Cards
Just to mention that AT&T often has promotions in the form of reward cards. Reward cards offered by AT&T have dollar value that cannot be redeemed for cash, but can be used for purchases just like your debit or credit card. They may or may not have the expire date, so be sure to check the conditions while ordering services, or after you receive them.
Currently, ordering AT&T Internet as a new service qualifies you for $50 reward card. This offer is valid for standalone Internet or a service bundle.
Remark:
All the information written here was accurate at the time of writing of this article. Please note that AT&T can change plans, speeds, offers, prices and alike at any time without prior notice.