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AT&T Internet vs Sparklight: Side by Side Comparison

Enter your zip code below to see if AT&T Internet or Sparklight offers service in your area.

AT&T Internet vs Sparklight

AT&T has a background as a phone provider while Sparklight (formerly Cable ONE) specialized in cable TV, but the the current broadband Internet offerings available from either provider are surprisingly similar so far as speed and price. Deciding which makes sense for your household will come down to details like TV/phone choices, installation convenience, and the latest promotional offers.

AT&T Internet At A Glance

  • Sales: (855) 910-0548
  • Support: (800) 288-2020
(855) 910-0548

$49.99-59.99/mo.

5-1,000 Mbps

Up to 1,000 Mbps

64% 64%

DSL

15th ↑ (+3)

Sparklight (formerly Cable One) At A Glance

  • Sales: (844) 914-2794
  • Support: (877) 692-2253
(844) 914-2794

$39-125/mo.

25-1,000 Mbps

Up to 50 Mbps

--

Cable

34th ↑ (+2)

AT&T Internet Overview

AT&T Internet, formerly called U-Verse, is a broadband Internet, telephone, and digital television provider. They provide Internet access via DSL and fiber infrastructure.

Sparklight Overview

Sparklight (formerly Cable One) is a cable broadband internet, TV, and phone provider. They leverage the newest DOCSIS specification to allow gigabit download rates over coaxial cable.

AT&T Internet Internet Deals †

  • $49.99 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • Download speeds up to 940Mbps w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.99.
    • Get a $100 reward card with qualifying online orders and an extra $25 reward card with code SUMMER25 upon checkout.
    • Setup: Up to $99 installation cost.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $49.99 for 100 mbps DSL
    • 10 to 100 mbps depending on location
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $59.99.
    • Get a $100 reward card with qualifying online orders.
    • Setup: Up to $99 installation cost.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
  • $59.99 for 25 mbps Fixed Wireless
    • Typical download speeds of 25 Mbps w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.99.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with up to $120 ETF
    • Setup: $99.00 (Includes installation.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (877) 722-3506 to setup service.
Show All Deals (6)
Last updated on 6/29/2020

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

Sparklight Internet Deals †

  • $39 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 Mbps ↓ and 10 Mbps ↑ w/ a 300 GB/mo data cap
    • 6-month promo rate. Regular rate is $55.00.
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.5/mo
    • Call (877) 692-2253 to setup service.
  • $65 for 200 mbps Cable
    • 200 Mbps ↓ and 20 Mbps ↑ w/ a 600 GB/mo data cap
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.5/mo
    • Call (877) 692-2253 to setup service.
  • $80 for 300 mbps Cable
    • 300 Mbps ↓ and 30 Mbps ↑ w/ a 900 GB/mo data cap
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.5/mo
    • Call (877) 692-2253 to setup service.
  • $125 for 1,000 mbps Cable
    • 1,000 Mbps ↓ and 50 Mbps ↑ w/ a 1200 GB/mo data cap
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10.5/mo
    • Call (877) 692-2253 to setup service.
Show All Deals (4)
Last updated on 5/22/2020

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

AT&T Internet: Datacaps From 250 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.

Sparklight: Datacaps From 600 to 1200 GB/mo.

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

AT&T Internet's Technology

AT&T markets fiber-optic and hybrid DSL internet connections to residential consumers and businesses across the US. Fiber is available for both home and corporate subscribers. They also sell a variety of “triple play” packages with bundled television and phone add-ons.

AT&T's DSL offering, historically known as U-verse, leverages Fiber-to-the-Node technology. In a FTTN layout, the fiber line terminates at a point near the customer address, with the final stretch to the subscriber residences reached via telephone, ethernet, and coaxial cable. Hybrid fiber allows AT&T to service higher bandwidth plans than usually expected from DSL.[3]

AT&T Fiber to the Home (FTTH) is available in select areas. FTTH is considered the “gold standard” for robust, fast and reliable home internet.

Sparklight's Technology

Sparklight (formerly Cable ONE) makes Internet available to residences and businesses using their extensive coaxial cable network, originally developed to provide television. Phone and TV services are sent over the same infrastructure as Sparklight (formerly Cable ONE)'s Internet service[4] .

Hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) networks like Sparklight (formerly Cable ONE)'s are called "hybrid" because they use fiber from the provider office to local nodes. That electrical transmission goes through the existing local coaxial network to customer addresses, where a modem switches the signal back to binary data.

AT&T Internet Installation

To have AT&T installed, you have two routes: technician installation and self-installation with a mail kit.

AT&T usually charges for pro installation, so if your home is already serviced and qualifies for self-installation, this may help you to save money.

Sparklight Installation

Sparklight (formerly Cable ONE) doesn't generally allow self-installation of hardware and cabling within customer homes. However, installation by a technician is free for their broadband plans. Professional installation is a particularly helpful service for families.

AT&T Internet Coverage & Availability

AT&T Internet Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Sparklight Coverage & Availability

Sparklight (formerly Cable One) Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
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ACSI ratings and why they matter

Decent quality of service is worth paying extra for

If, like most Americans, you rely on your broadband connection for communication and work, dealing with network issues is a huge headache. It’s important to choose a provider with a decent reputation when possible, so you can be confident that they’ll fix any issues you encounter very quickly. The best sources for reviews are ACSI ratings and IP-verified ratings, both of which are referenced on BroadbandNow. ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) ratings are collected by polling and surveying existing customers quarterly.[1] IP-verified ratings poll customers on a rolling basis online, using IP-verification to double check that only customers who subscribe to the provider being reviewed are counted.

Looking into the fine print

Fees to be aware of when shopping for broadband

It’s common practice for marketers at broadband companies to create “sign-up offers” that will give you a reduced rate for a limited time as a new customer. These can be great deals and break the tie if providers in your area are very similar so far as price and speed. However, be aware of the fees you’ll get on your bill as well as the details you’re agreeing to when you sign.

ETFs (early termination fees) are particularly important to be aware of, especially for students, renters, and anyone who anticipates moving regularly with short notice. It’s also important to factor in the final monthly rate of plans, not just the limited-time discount.[2]

References and Footnotes
  1. https://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  2. https://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/labels-for-broadband-services.pdf ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  4. http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/~kumbes/ra/Access-Networks/hfc/cnethfc.htm ↩
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Last updated on 6/29/2020.