AT&T U-verse Overview
AT&T is an Internet, phone, TV, and mobile provider with widespread coverage across the contiguous United States. With plans ranging from DSL to Fiber, there are a variety of packages and speeds that can be difficult to sort through. Here are some of the key considerations and factors to be aware of while comparing and shopping for AT&T deals.
Comparing AT&T Plans
There are a number of AT&T plans, and offerings will vary based on your geographic location. However, regardless of where you are, there are some aspects to consider when choosing the package that works for you.
- Get a sense of the kind of speeds and data allowances you’ll need
- Look through the promotions, and make sure the “final” price is reasonable
- Read your contract, and note any early termination fees (ETFs)
What AT&T Plans Are Available In My Area?
Generally speaking, the fastest connections from AT&T are only available in select areas — usually in highly populous locations like major cities and the surrounding suburbs. Areas such as (but not limited to) Texas and California enjoy some of the fastest speeds in the nation, far outclassing the basic service offered in most areas of the country.
AT&T’s basic service plan uses Digital Subscriber Lines, the details of which are discussed more comprehensively below. The infrastructure for this technology has been in place for years, and as such AT&T can offer basic high-speed internet service to large areas of the country. Major areas that don’t have any AT&T coverage include New England and a large portion of the Midwest. Outside of these geographic locations, chances are that you’ll at least have some sort of AT&T service available for purchase.
When deciding which plan will suit your needs, you’ll first need to ascertain which plans are available in your area and compare them to other providers.
Which AT&T Plan Is Right For Me?
Once you’ve figured out what options are available at your address, it’s time to take a look at your average internet usage and make a decision from there. It’s tempting to go with the fastest or the least expensive option, but it’s important to make sure the package will suit your needs - especially considering the rather lengthy contracts necessitated by certain promotional deals.
If you use the internet for basic web browsing, an AT&T DSL connection will probably suit you just fine. DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is an internet connection that transmits data over existing telephone lines. This technology is widely available and extremely reliable, but the maximum speeds available are far lower than alternatives. DSL plans are available from AT&T starting at 50 Megabits per second (Mbps), which is an adequate speed for daily use. A 50 Mbps second plan is also sufficient for streaming content — even in HD — but if you’re a power user or have multiple friends or family members accessing the internet at the same time, it might not be enough.
For gamers, streamers, and cord cutters, it’s probably worth looking into a Fiber plan. Fiber Optic connections transmit data through light that is bounced back and forth between glass or plastic rods. Light travels fast, and you internet will be quite speedy as well. AT&T features some of the fastest residential internet commercially available in the areas where where they have the infrastructure, but Fiber coverage is sparse. AT&T Fiber features speeds of up to 1000 Mbps — over 20x faster than their DSL package.
AT&T Contracts: What You Need To Know
AT&T internet on its own is sometimes available without a contract, but many promotions give significant discounts if you are to agree to a long-term commitment. It’s important to take a look at your current situation and needs. If you’re a renter or student and will be moving within a year, you’re better off paying a little bit extra and choosing a plan that charges month-to-month. Contracts often offer the better deal, but if you decide to cancel early you’ll need to eat an early termination fee that can be up to $325, depending on how long is left on your current agreement.
If you’re opting for TV service through AT&T, however, it may not be possible to get what you want without signing a service agreement. There are three options available to AT&T customers (with availability depending on your location) U-Verse TV, the AT&T branded television option, offers basic TV service with a moderate selection of channels — available without a contract. DirecTV Now is a TV streaming service that gives you access to a number of live channels through your dedicated internet-connected device — this is an excellent option for those looking for access to TV across multiple devices and is available without a contract, but it’s also dependent on a relatively speedy internet connection. Traditional DirecTV offers the most premium service, with some plans offering more than 325 channels, but plans typically come with a 24-month service agreement.
Long story short, it is possible to access AT&T service without a long-term commitment. Chances are that you’ll be paying more overall — especially if using multiple services without a bundle deal — but it’s an option to consider if you don’t want to be tied down by a contract.
AT&T Modem And Router: What Are Your Options?
To get online with AT&T, you’ll need a modem and router. Modems allow your PC to connect to the internet, while routers offer the capability to connect multiple devices to the same network — often offering a wireless connectivity option. Most modern “gateways” are a combination of the two technologies, and that’s what you’ll use with AT&T.
Unfortunately, AT&T DSL service no longer allows you to buy your own equipment unless you’re a “Legacy” DSL customer, and is currently only compatible with AT&T branded gateways. This means that you’ll be paying a fee of somewhere between $7 - $10 per month on top of your quoted plan price — so keep that in mind when comparing plan pricing. Fiber Optic equipment must also be leased from AT&T with a similar equipment charge.
This lack of choice when buying internet from AT&T is unfortunate, as it removes the ability to buy your equipment outright and forces you to eat another monthly fee. The advice mentioned above of looking for the “final” plan price should be heeded here, as the equipment charge is largely unavoidable.
The Best of Bundles
While bundling services together is a wise choice for any provider, it’s important to note that AT&T owns DirecTV and offers premium television options in most of the areas that they serve. You can save a significant amount of money by bundling both AT&T internet and DirecTV when compared to buying the services on their own. In some cases, you can get TV service with a number of channels for just $25 extra a month. It’s important to read the fine print and keep an eye on your bill, however, as oftentimes the initial bundle price will only be for a promotional period.
While TV service is also available as a standalone option using DirecTV Now, it’s not available for bundle deals and lacks some of the high-end options that regular DirecTV satellite service offers. If you’re comfortable with a contract and understand the pricing after the promotion ends, bundling services is usually the best way to get the most out of buying service from AT&T.
AT&T U-verse Rating and Reviews
At BroadbandNow we only allow verified users of a service to rate their provider. This helps us prevent biased user ratings and reviews. To date, 95,947 IP verified AT&T U-verse customers have rated their service.
When asked 41.0% of U-verse customers said that they would recommend their to a friend.
The Technology That Powers AT&T U-verse
With the rise of fiber optic internet connections, more and more consumers are interested in the technology that powers their internet connection.
With U-verse, vDSL powers their internet, home phone, and some cases TV connections. But, with AT&T's acquisition of DirecTV more and more consumers are receiving their TV service via satellite.
AT&T U-verse Availability
AT&T U-verse is available in 22 including California, Texas, Illinois, and 19 other states (see U-verse coverage map) but coverage varies depending on your location so verify with the provider.