AT&T Internet
Sparklight

AT&T Internet vs Sparklight

A Side-by-Side Comparison of AT&T Internet and Sparklight in 2023.

Learn more about AT&T Internet and Sparklight:

Learn more about AT&T Internet and Sparklight

Internet service providers like AT&T Internet and Sparklight (formerly Cable One) are great choices if you want multiple plan options and high-speed internet. Both also offer bundle deals with TV and/or phone services to help you save money and get the most out of your internet plan. We’ve outlined their similarities and differences below to determine which ISP is right for you.

AT&T Internet vs Sparklight Overall Comparison

AT&T Internet vs Sparklight Overall Comparison

  • Speed

    25 Mbps - 5 Gbps

  • Pricing

    $55 - $180/mo.

  • Service Type

    IPBB, Fiber, Fixed Wireless

  • Installation Fee

    $99

  • Equipment Fee

    $0 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

  • Speed

    100 Mbps - 1 Gbps

  • Pricing

    $39 - $115/mo.

  • Service Type

    Cable, Fiber

  • Equipment Fee

    $12 a month

  • Data Cap

    Unlimited Data

While AT&T Internet and Sparklight both offer fiber internet plans, the similarities in connection types end there. The former has IPBB and fixed wireless plans, while the latter has cable internet options if you don’t want to pay high prices for fiber internet or it’s unavailable. Starting download speeds for AT&T Internet are 25 Mbps, which are much lower than Sparklight’s starting speeds of 200 Mbps.

In terms of pricing, AT&T Internet’s lowest-priced, non-fiber plan is $55 per month, while Sparklight’s lowest-priced, non-fiber plan is $39 per month. Essentially, you’re paying less for higher download speeds with Sparklight than AT&T Internet. If speed is the name of the game instead of price, however, AT&T Internet trails ahead with download speeds up to 5 Gbps versus Sparklight’s download speeds of up to 1 Gbps.

AT&T Internet vs Sparklight: Best Deals

Internet Deals

For ongoing promotions, AT&T Internet fiber plans attach new-subscriber deals like reward cards and free subscriptions to streaming services. Sparklight usually knocks down the monthly rate of its low-tiered internet-only plan and offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee if you’re a new customer. While Sparklight internet deals aren’t as enticing as those from AT&T Internet, you’ll have an opportunity to save on your monthly internet bill right off the bat.

Whenever you sign up for a new internet service, you’ll want to take advantage of discounts and freebies that the provider might be offering. These promotions update every month, so check back frequently to see which deals you can grab.

Pros and Cons By Provider

Pros and Cons By Provider

AT&T Internet Pros

  • Ultra-fast gigabit speeds
  • Nationwide coverage
  • Multiple connection types
  • Affordable pricing

AT&T Internet Cons

  • Data caps on non-fiber plans
  • Pricey fees

Sparklight Pros

  • No contracts
  • Bundling options
  • Great customer service
  • Multiple high-speed plans

Sparklight Cons

  • Data caps
  • Expensive activation fee

AT&T Internet excels in its gigabit download speeds. Its non-fiber service also has extensive coverage across the U.S., covering 21 states. Paired with affordable pricing and multiple plan options, AT&T Internet is a popular choice for all types of internet users. That said, there are data caps on AT&T Internet’s non-fiber plans, and some fees are expensive.

As for Sparklight, multiple high-speed plans at affordable prices are available. It’s also known to have a reputable customer support team. When signing up for a Sparklight internet plan, you’ll want to watch out for data caps and a steep activation fee. Otherwise, it’s a solid ISP that offers hard-to-beat monthly rates and fast download speeds.

AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight: Packages Compared

Packages are your one-way ticket to saving money, especially if you’re a traditional TV and home phone enthusiast. Most providers offer packages that include TV and/or phone services with their internet service to give you an overall discounted price.

AT&T Internet partners with DIRECTV to offer TV service with its internet plans. Sparklight offers Double and Triple Play bundles with standard TV and/or digital phone services. Depending on what you’re looking for in a package, you might be able to save more than if you signed up for an internet-only plan.

AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight: Extra Fees and Contracts

These days, ISPs don’t require contracts with their internet plans, allowing more flexibility for when you want to cancel your service. AT&T Internet and Sparklight have month-to-month plans, but promotional rates usually involve signing a one- to two-year contract.

Extra fees you should be aware of are equipment leases and non-return equipment fees. AT&T Internet and Sparklight charges for both, but the latter also charges a pricey activation fee. These fees range from $10 to $15 per month for equipment rentals and up to $100 for one-time activation.

Installation

AT&T Internet professional installation costs a one-time fee of $99 but depending on certain promotions, you may be able to waive it. Sparklight charges similarly – a professional installation fee of up to $90. Self-installation is available for both providers.

Data Cap

If you find yourself using a lot of data every month and don’t want to pay data overage fees, an internet plan with no data caps is your best bet. AT&T Internet doesn’t have data caps on its fiber plans but does impose a 350 GB monthly data cap for its fixed wireless plan. Sparklight has data caps on almost all plans except for the 1 Gbps fiber plan. Its data caps range from 700 GB to 1.5 TB per month.

AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight: Customer Satisfaction

Both AT&T Internet and Sparklight score high ratings for their customer service. Each provider’s customer support team resolves issues and complaints in a timely manner.

AT&T Internet vs. Sparklight Internet Review

We asked BroadbandNow users to review AT&T Internet based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 3069 for AT&T Internet. AT&T Internet earned an average score of 3.39 out of 5.

We asked BroadbandNow users to review Sparklight based on four core attributes: Customer Service, Reliability, Speed, and Value.

BroadbandNow readers submitted 575 for Sparklight. Sparklight earned an average score of 3.42 out of 5.

Frequently Asked Questions About AT&T Internet and Sparklight

  • Is AT&T Internet cheaper than Sparklight?

    Prices and plans vary by location, but AT&T Internet’s lowest-priced, non-fiber internet-only plan costs $55 per month, whereas Sparklight’s lowest-priced, non-fiber internet-only plan costs $39 per month.

  • Who has faster speeds — AT&T Internet or Sparklight?

    AT&T Internet download speeds reach up to 5 Gbps, while Sparklight download speeds reach 1 Gbps.

  • Do AT&T Internet and Sparklight have unlimited data?

    AT&T Internet has unlimited data on its non-fiber plans but imposes a 350 GB monthly data cap for its fixed wireless plan. Sparklight has data caps on most internet plans except the 1 Gbps fiber plan.

  • Do AT&T Internet and Sparklight require a contract?

    Neither AT&T Internet or Sparklight requires contracts for their internet plans, but you might benefit from promotional rates if you sign one.