AT&T Internet vs Xfinity: Side by Side Comparison

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AT&T Internet vs Xfinity

Consumers have a lot to consider when deciding between U-verse and Xfinity for their broadband internet, TV, and phone connection. Xfinity’s coaxial cable network and AT&T's DSL network offer different download speeds and package pricing, and both recently began offering ultra-fast fiber networks in select areas. For most buyers, making a choice comes down to technical details like promotional offers and a preference for DSL vs cable broadband.

AT&T Internet AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (877) 722-3506
  • Support: (800) 288-2020
(877) 722-3506

$50 to $90 / mo.

5.0 mbps to 1,000 mbps

1.0 mbps to 1,000 mbps

64%64%

DSL

Current: 27th ↓ (-3)

XFINITY from Comcast AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (800) 934-6489
  • Support: (800) 934-6489
(800) 934-6489

$29.99 to $299.95 / mo.

15 mbps to 1,000 mbps

Up to 35 mbps

59%59%

Cable

Current: 6th ↑ (+1)

AT&T Internet OVERVIEW

AT&T Internet is a nationwide telecom provider. They offer DSL and fiber Internet, as well as TV and phone plans.

Xfinity OVERVIEW

Xfinity is the largest Internet provider in the country, offering WiFi, digital phone services, and TV services.

AT&T Internet INTERNET DEALS †

  • $50 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 100 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $60.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $180 ETF
    • Get $50 AT&T Visa® Card when ordered online.
    • Setup: Up to $99 installation cost.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $50 for 100 mbps DSL
    • 10 to 100 mbps depending on location w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $60.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $180 ETF
    • Get $50 AT&T Visa® Card when ordered online.
    • Setup: Up to $99 installation cost
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $60 for 10 mbps Fixed Wireless
    • Download speeds of 10 Mbps or over and upload speeds of 1 Mbps or over w/ a 430 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $70.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • $0 equipment fee includes Wi-Fi gateway.
    • Setup: Installation cost of outdoor antenna is up to $99.
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $70 for 300 mbps Fiber
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 300 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $80.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $180 ETF
    • Get $50 AT&T Visa® Card when ordered online.
    • Setup: $0 (Installation cost waived.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $90 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and 1,000 Mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $100.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $180 ETF
    • Get $50 AT&T Visa® Card when ordered online.
    • Setup: $0 (Installation cost waived.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
Show All Deals (8)
Last updated on 5/12/2019

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with AT&T Internet.

Xfinity INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.99 for 60 mbps Cable
    • 60 Mbps ↓ and 5.0 Mbps ↑
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $74.95.
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (800) 934-6489 to setup service.
  • $49.95 for 15 mbps Cable
    • 15 Mbps ↓ and 2.0 Mbps ↑
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (800) 934-6489 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 150 mbps Cable
    • 150 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Contract Term: 1 year
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (800) 934-6489 to setup service.
  • $69.99 for 400 mbps Cable
    • 400 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate.
    • Contract Term: 1 year
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (800) 934-6489 to setup service.
  • $79.99 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and 35 Mbps ↑
    • 3-year promo rate.
    • Contract Term: 2 years
    • Some areas have a 1TB data cap.
    • Call (800) 934-6489 to setup service.
  • $299.95 for 2,000 mbps Fiber
    • 2,000 Mbps ↓ and 2,000 Mbps ↑
    • Contract Term: 2 years
    • Call (800) 934-6489 to setup service.
Show All Deals (6)
Last updated on 5/1/2019

†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Xfinity.

AT&T Internet: DATACAPS From 430 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. AT&T Internet offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

Xfinity: DATACAPS From 1024 GB/mo.

We have found plans that include datacaps. Xfinity offer plans with data caps regionally or nationwide. Be sure to verify plan details before purchasing.

AT&T Internet's TECHNOLOGY

AT&T markets two types of Internet service: fiber and DSL. Fiber is available for both residential and business customers. AT&T also offers a variety of bundled packages that include TV or phone service.

AT&T's DSL service, historically called U-verse, uses a fiber-to-the-node layout. This means that the fiber cable terminates near consumers, with the last leg to the customer addresses reached via telephone, ethernet, and in some instances coax. This hybrid fiber network has allowed them to provide faster packages than traditionally expected from copper-based DSL.[3]

On top of their DSL plans, AT&T also markets 100% fiber service in some areas. FTTH is considered the best technology for robust, fast and reliable home internet.

Xfinity's TECHNOLOGY

Comcast broadband services are predominantly cable, meaning digital signals share the wiring that sends cable TV signal through the coax jack.

Cable providers use copper wires. Cable lines can hold more traffic than DSL service.

Cable networks generally have much higher download than upload speeds.

Comcast is upgrading to gigabit speeds in some areas as of 2019, thanks to DOCSIS 3.1.

AT&T Internet INSTALLATION

To get AT&T services installed, subscribers have two options: technician installation and self-installation with a kit.

AT&T generally charges for pro installation, so if your home was previously serviced, self-installation may be an easy route for you to lower costs when setting up service.

Xfinity INSTALLATION

Xfinity self-installation is the quickest installation choice for the majority of customers. New customers get a kit mailed to them with step-by-step instructions.

Professional installation is also an option. However, it usually comes with a small charge. If you are getting TV services, professional installation appointment is recommended, as the wiring is more involved.

AT&T Internet RATINGS AND REVIEWS

41%41% Customer Rating

41.1% recommendation rating according to 101529 verified users.

Xfinity RATINGS AND REVIEWS

41%41% Customer Rating

41.1% recommendation rating according to 162075 verified Xfinity users.

AT&T Internet COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

AT&T Internet Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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Xfinity COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

XFINITY from Comcast Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Promotional offers and early termination fees

Timing is everything when shopping for broadband

Depending on the plans selected, U-verse and Xfinity have two “gotchas” in common: limited-time promotional offers and early termination fees.[1]

U-verse often offers steeper sign-up discounts than Xfinity on bundled Internet/TV/phone packages. However, these savings can evaporate quickly if the final cost is even a little higher than the competition’s once that promotional period ends.

Additionally, consumers considering Xfinity and U-verse have to check the fine print for ETFs (early termination fees) that could make it difficult to switch providers if unsatisfied, or cancel a contract if the household has to relocate. Students, young professionals, and anyone else who regularly relocates should strongly consider plans with no ETFs, even if the promotional prices are more attractive.

Cord cutters and data caps

Friendliness to streaming video is a top concern

TV is much more complicated than it used to be, largely thanks to on-demand streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.

When you purchase a TV subscription directly from the cable company, there’s no limit on how much TV you can watch. Video streamed as data over an Internet connection, however, is often subject to “data caps” — limits a provider sets on how much data an individual subscriber can upload and download within a month period. Xfinity and U-verse differ in the fine print of how they measure and enforce data caps.[2]

The important point for consumers to keep in mind are: know your caps, and know how much data you’re likely to use when you shop for a plan. For binge TV watchers, it’s often better to purchase a bundled “double play” Internet/TV plan than risk triggering high overage fees for streaming more data than an Internet plan allows.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. https://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/labels-for-broadband-services.pdf ↩
  2. https://broadbandnow.com/internet-providers-with-data-caps ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
Last updated on 5/1/2019.

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