AT&T Internet vs TDS: Side by Side Comparison

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AT&T Internet vs TDS

AT&T and TDS are both forward-thinking providers with strong bases in DSL service and an eye towards raising the bar with next-generation speeds and technology. Details in add-on services like TV create more than a few factors to weigh, alongside ongoing promotions and bundled packages.

AT&T Internet AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (844) 602-3932
  • Support: (800) 288-2020
(844) 602-3932

$40 to $80 / mo.

18 mbps to 1,000 mbps

1.5 mbps to 1,000 mbps

64%64%

DSL

Current: 20th ↑ (+2)

TDS Telecom AT A GLANCE

  • Sales: (866) 571-6662
  • Support: (866) 571-6662

$29.95 to $89.95 / mo.

15 mbps to 1,000 mbps

0.768 mbps to 400 mbps

--

DSL

Current: 41st (0)

AT&T Internet OVERVIEW

AT&T U-Verse is a bundled broadband Internet, phone, and digital TV provider. They provide connectivity via both DSL and fiber networks.

TDS OVERVIEW

TDS provides DSL, cable, and fiber Internet connectivity across much of the US, in addition to TV and phone services. Select areas within their network have access to gigabit speeds via 100% fiber connections.

AT&T Internet INTERNET DEALS †

  • $40 for 45 mbps Fiber
    • 45 mbps ↓ and 6.0 mbps ↑ w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $70.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with $180 ETF
    • Setup: $99.00 (Internet Installation Fee)
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
  • $40 for 45 mbps DSL
    • up to 45 Mbps w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $70.00.
    • 45mbps not guaranteed. Speeds vary by service area, but AT&T offers fixed pricing of $40/mo for the first year at the maximum speed that is available at your location.
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
  • $70 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 100 mbps ↑ w/ a 1000 GB/mo data cap
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with $180 ETF
    • Setup: waived
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
  • $80 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • 1,000 mbps ↓ and 1,000 mbps ↑ w/ no data cap.
    • 1-year promo rate. Regular rate is $99.00.
    • Contract Term: 1 year with $180 ETF
    • Setup: waived
    • Modem w/ WiFi included.
    • Call (844) 602-3932 to setup service.
Show All Deals (4)
Last updated on 2/1/2017

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

TDS INTERNET DEALS †

  • $29.95 for 15 mbps DSL
    • Download speeds of 6.0 mbps to 15 mbps and max upload of 0.768 mbps
    • 3-year promo rate. Regular rate is $59.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $29.95 for 50 mbps DSL
    • Download speeds of 36 mbps to 50 mbps and 1.5 mbps to 10 mbps upload speeds
    • 3-year promo rate. Regular rate is $64.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $39.95 for 60 mbps Cable
    • 60 mbps ↓ and 3.0 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $60.00.
    • 2-Year Price Lock Offer: Valid in wired service areas only for new residential customers who complete a TDS Bundle with qualifying TV, Internet and/or phone service (core services).
    • Modem: $4.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $44.95 for 50 mbps Fiber
    • 50 mbps ↓ and 50 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $64.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies. Requires a TDS phone line.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $49.95 for 100 mbps Fiber
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 100 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $69.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies. Requires a TDS phone line.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $59.95 for 100 mbps Cable
    • 100 mbps ↓ and 5.0 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $80.00.
    • 2-Year Price Lock Offer: Valid in wired service areas only for new residential customers who complete a TDS Bundle with qualifying TV, Internet and/or phone service (core services).
    • Modem: $4.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $79.95 for 300 mbps Cable
    • 300 mbps ↓ and 10 mbps ↑ w/ a 250 GB/mo data cap
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $100.00.
    • 2-Year Price Lock Offer: Valid in wired service areas only for new residential customers who complete a TDS Bundle with qualifying TV, Internet and/or phone service (core services).
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $10/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
  • $89.95 for 1,000 mbps Fiber
    • 1,000 mbps ↓ and 400 mbps ↑
    • 2-year promo rate. Regular rate is $109.95.
    • $100 processing fee applies. Requires a TDS phone line.
    • Setup: $14.95 (Includes equipment handling fee. Activation is free.)
    • Modem w/ WiFi: $6.95/mo
    • Call (866) 571-6662 to setup service.
Last updated on 8/13/2017

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

AT&T Internet: DATACAPS From 1000 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.

TDS: DATACAPS From 250 GB/mo.

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

AT&T Internet's TECHNOLOGY

AT&T offers fiber optic and hybrid DSL internet connections to many residential consumers and businesses across the US. They also offer a variety of “triple play” plans with bundled TV and home phone service.

Their DSL offering, historically known as AT&T U-verse, leverages a fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) layout where fiber optic cable terminates at a point near consumers, with the final stretch to the subscriber residence reached via telephone, ethernet, and in some rare cases coaxial cable. This hybrid fiber network has allowed AT&T to offer higher bandwidth plans than traditionally expected from DSL.[2]

In addition to their DSL offering, AT&T also offers fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in some areas. FTTH is considered the “gold standard” for strong, fast, and reliable home internet connection.

TDS's TECHNOLOGY

TDS offers broadband Internet, phone, and TV service to residential and business subscribers via DSL, cable, and fiber networks.

DSL offerings are delivered from a local TDS office near the subscriber via existing copper phone cable infrastructure. Cable, on the other hand, is generally delivered via fiber until it reaches a “node” in individual coverage areas, at which point data is switched over to an existing TV “cable” coaxial network for the final distance.[3]

Fiber offerings from TDS are delivered via 100% fiber optic connections, generally fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), allowing next-generation download speeds up to 1Gbps (1,000Mbps) under ideal circumstances. Keeping the data in an optical format for the entire journey from ISP to consumer avoids the slowdowns associated with “switching” to an electric signal for DSL and cable.

AT&T Internet INSTALLATION

To get AT&T services installed, you have two main routes: professional installation or self-installation.

AT&T generally charges a fee for professional installation, so if your house is already wired and qualifies for self-installation, this may be an easy route for you to save money when setting up service.

TDS INSTALLATION

TDS cable is somewhat simple to install, especially for customers already wired to receive TV from the company. Self-installation is possible where wiring already exists and all that’s needed is to set up a modem and router.

Professional installation is also available for customers that need assistance, and can be scheduled directly through TDS (generally for a fee).

AT&T Internet RATINGS AND REVIEWS

42%42% Customer Rating

41.5% recommendation rating according to 73,970 verified users.

TDS RATINGS AND REVIEWS

44%44% Customer Rating

44.4% recommendation rating according to 3,307 verified TDS users.

AT&T Internet COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

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

TDS COVERAGE & AVAILABILITY

TDS Telecom Interactive SVG Map showing broadband coverage.
Customize map

Quality of service is key

Don’t discount good customer service

Broadband Internet isn’t just a luxury, especially if you need it for work and communication. Providers that are responsive to customer requests and will quickly resolve technical difficulties are often worth paying a little extra for, even if the plan isn’t 100% perfect. The question is, how can you tell which online reviews are accurate, and which are fakes?

Overall, there are two trustworthy rating systems for broadband providers like TDS and AT&T. First, check their ACSI (American Customer Satisfaction Index) rating, included in the comparison above for each provider. This data is based on surveys conducted quarterly by trained professionals, evaluating a variety of points including customer service friendliness, speed of service, and installation ease.[1]

You might also have noticed the term “IP-verified” when checking out plans via BroadbandNow. IP addresses are the unique identifiers for individual internet connections — think of it as an address for your computer. We verify the IPs for reviews we collect to make sure that it’s a real person and that they’re actually using the provider in question.

To bundle or not to bundle?

“Triple play” vs “double play” broadband offerings

Bundling multiple services like phone, TV, and Internet from a single provider can often result in considerable savings. It’s a win for the provider and the consumer, since adding in phone and TV is usually easy assuming the house is hooked up for Internet.

“Triple play” bundles generally include TV, Internet, and phone service, while “double play” included Internet and TV. (Or Internet and home phone connection.) When shopping bundled offers, be sure the price is final, and not a limited-time offer to encourage sign-ups.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES
  1. http://www.theacsi.org/industries/telecommunications-and-information/internet-service-provider ↩
  2. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  3. https://www.fcc.gov/general/types-broadband-connections ↩
  3. AT&T Internet vs TDS
Last updated on 8/13/2017.

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