AT&T Internet vs Sparklight: Side by Side Comparison
AT&T Internet and Sparklight are optimal internet providers among many in the U.S. AT&T provides DSL, fixed wireless, and fiber internet while Sparklight provides cable internet. Customers who reside in areas with no fiber internet coverage may opt for AT&T’s DSL internet or Sparklight’s cable internet. Both providers offer download speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
AT&T and Sparklight are noticeably different, which we highlight below. Prices, speeds, and service types vary depending on availability.
AT&T Internet Info
Sparklight Info
| AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight Comparison |
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| Provider | AT&T Internet | Sparklight |
| Speed | 25-1,000 Mbps | 100-1,000 Mbps |
| Pricing | $35-60/mo. | $39-125/mo. |
| Service Type | IPBB, Fiber or Fixed Wireless | Cable or Fiber |
| AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight FEATURE COMPARISON |
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| Provider | AT&T Internet | Sparklight |
| High-Speed Plans | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Data | Select Plans | No |
| Contract-Free Plans | Select Plans | Yes |
| TV Service | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Service | Yes | Yes |
AT&T Internet Internet Deals †
Last updated on 4/6/2021†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with AT&T Internet.
Sparklight Internet Deals †
Last updated on 3/17/2021†All plans not available in all areas or to all customers. Verify details with Sparklight.
AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight Performance Overview
As the second-largest DSL provider in the U.S., AT&T Internet services 22 states with DSL internet available to approximately 122.8 million people. AT&T’s plans also include fixed wireless and fiber internet options. You might not always find a fiber internet plan because coverage is limited, but AT&T’s DSL plans have more widespread availability. For more than just standalone internet plans, AT&T offers bundles that you can pair with their TV or phone services.
Sparklight is available to approximately 3.3 million people in 19 states. Formerly known as Cable One, Sparklight is the ninth-largest residential cable provider in the U.S. They also offer packages that include their TV and phone services. Sparklight’s internet plans all vary by speed and price.
AT&T Internet Installation
Professional installation and self-installation are available options when starting your new AT&T internet service. For a professional technician, the installation fee costs $99. If you want to self-install, you only have to pay $35 for the activation fee. When preparing for your appointment with the technician, a person who’s 18 years or older must be at home. Self-installation can be done with the help of an online guide on AT&T’s website.
Sparklight Installation
Sparklight offers professional installation and self-installation. Professional installation fees can cost up to $90. Self-installation is free but is not available in all areas There is an activation fee of up to $100 regardless if you choose professional installation or self-installation. For professional installation, someone who’s 18 years or older must be present. For self-installation, you can refer to Sparklight’s video tutorial on their website.
AT&T Internet Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print
AT&T’s internet plans typically require at least a 1-year agreement.
If you prefer contract-free options, AT&T does offer them but without the promotional rates. When you cancel your agreement early, you might end up paying early termination fees up to $180 or $15/month for each remaining month on the agreement. For equipment fees, you will need to pay $10/month for renting the modem and router. The download speed range for AT&T’s internet plan is between 25-1000 Mbps and the upload speed range is 20-1000 Mbps.
Sparklight Contracts, Equipment Fees & Fine Print
Sparklight does not require contracts for their internet service.
Because they only offer contract-free options, there are no early termination fees. You do have to pay for an activation fee and equipment rental fees. Activation fees can cost up to $100 while renting their modem with WiFi costs $10/month. The cable modem comes with two extenders. You can also rent a regular modem for the same monthly price. Sparklight’s download speed range is 100-1000 Mbps and the upload speed range is 10-50 Mbps.
AT&T Internet Data Caps
There are no data caps for most of AT&T’s internet plans except for their fixed wireless plan which has a 500 GB data cap. For additional data usage, you can add 50 GB of data for $10 per month.
Sparklight Data Caps
All of Sparklight’s internet plans have data caps, but they do offer an unlimited data upgrade for an additional $40/month. Their data caps range between 350-1500 GB. For each additional 100 GB of data used per month, Sparklight charges $10.
Fantastic team and great coverage
Absolutely fantastic! Tech came out to help install and, due to the wiring in our apt, it took a while to find the correct outlets. But he was so patient and helpful and kind, really going above and beyond to make sure things got set up so I could have the level of coverage needed to qualify for work from home. Truly amazing guy, I honestly can't speak highly enough of him. He kept trying long after I suspect most would have given up. Huge THANK YOU to AT&T for the coverage at the right price (literally half the price of the competitor in this area), and more importantly for having such an amazing guy on your team. Thank you.
Cannot Get A Better Deal Than AT&T Access
Great customer service, Eager to get me approved quickly -- my order has been placed and is now on the way! Not much room to complain when it's only $10 monthly.
I rather enjoy the service
I am a customer of 5 years that saw the transition of CableOne into Sparklight - I saw no real difference in my service here nor there, and I was able to keep my plan from CableOne as "grandfather'd in". I noted, at the time, that Sparklight menu of service seemed much more limited/expensive in how they wanted to meter your connection, perhaps only offering 300gb (+$10 for each addtl 100gb). It seemed much more expensive, and I had to manage a household of 5 heavy users, so we regularly saw 2.5TB data-months. The culmination of this review, that I will now cut short, is that I saw excellent service on the Gulf Coast, and if my internet went down, I would certainly see a Sparklight truck down the road performing routine maintenance on the neighborhood node (you can also sign up for emails to receive prior notice of these routine maintenances). I never experienced slow-downs, so if you can withstand the price-point, I would recommend this provider for stable, strong service in this area. I am moving 2 cities over, to provide internet for just myself, and I feel compelled to switch to AT&T Fiber for only about $65/mo, after promotional pay-period, I think I remember seeing a 1TB limit; they also claim to offer a $100 gift card, which I intend to use to buy my own router. I hope this review has been helpful.
Great service
Sparklight was fast to schedule an appointment. Techs worked outside and inside our house to find the problems and fixed them within two hours. Awesome service!
AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight Coverage Availability
AT&T Internet Coverage & Availability
Sparklight Coverage & Availability
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