If you're in the market for home internet upgrades, AT&T and Xfinity are two major players worth considering: they're the two largest ISPs in America and provide service to millions of customers across the country.
AT&T and Verizon both offer various internet plans with various speeds and connection types. AT&T additionally provides a fixed wireless option for those living in rural areas.
Cost
When purchasing home internet service, cost is an important factor to consider. Both Xfinity and AT&T provide competitive plans that provide fast and dependable coverage to millions of customers nationwide. They each have different plans with various features available, so it's essential to compare their costs before making a final decision.
Xfinity provides more plans and prices than AT&T, though their most expensive option may not always be the best deal. While Xfinity's Gigabit Pro plan is faster than AT&T's 5,000Mbps plan, it is more costly and doesn't cover as much area.
AT&T and Xfinity both have data caps on their non-fiber plans, which can add up quickly if you're an avid web surfer. Both charge data overage fees if you exceed your monthly allowance - for instance, AT&T's 1 TB plan charges $10 for every 50 GB of extra usage after your first month of service.
Another commonly charged fee with internet providers is an equipment lease or rental fee. AT&T and Xfinity charge $14 per month to rent a modem, or up to $210 if it gets lost.
Both companies offer various bundle options and pricing ranges, but the best deals are often only accessible to customers who sign a contract. A one- or two-year commitment could be your best bet for getting a discounted rate on your monthly bill.
If you require a lot of bandwidth, opt for an internet plan with no data cap. Doing so can prevent overage fees when exceeding your plan's capacity.
The cost of your monthly bill will depend on several factors, including your service speed, the number of devices you own and whether or not additional equipment needs to be purchased. As these costs can vary significantly, it's essential that you are aware of them before signing up for an Internet service plan.
AT&T and Xfinity both offer bundles with their other services, like TV and mobile service, that can save you money in the long run. But before signing up for any bundle, make sure you read all details thoroughly to guarantee all your needs are included.
Speed
Speed of an internet connection is critical for several reasons. For instance, if you need to stream HD videos or play online games, then your connection must be capable of handling these tasks without any problems.
Both Xfinity and AT&T provide internet speeds that are fast enough for most households. Ultimately, which provider you select depends on your individual requirements.
If you need the fastest Internet speed, Xfinity may be your best bet. Their plan offers speeds up to 5 Gbps.
AT&T offers faster internet than Xfinity, and at a more reasonable cost. Furthermore, Xfinity's plans are more diverse and available in more places than AT&T does.
Xfinity also offers fixed wireless service that's perfect for rural areas. While it may not be as fast as a fiber plan, it offers plenty of data and may be cheaper than satellite internet.
AT&T provides fiber-optic service that can deliver speeds of up to 300 Mbps, making it suitable for work-from-home professionals and those living in larger households with multiple internet users.
As with all broadband connections, the speed you experience depends on your location and the network infrastructure around you. Some places have better fiber coverage than others, so it's essential to do some research before making a final decision.
Another factor to consider is whether your internet plan has any data caps. If it does, then you could end up paying a lot of extra fees each month.
The average American spends more than a third of their time online, so finding an internet plan without data caps is essential. Doing so can help you avoid paying more than necessary and maximize your online experience.
Additionally, remember that speed can have adverse effects on your health. Therefore, make sure to eat nutritiously and drink plenty of water if you're using it heavily.
Coverage
When selecting an internet service provider, there are numerous factors to take into account such as price, speed, coverage and more. With so many variables to weigh, it can be hard to know which option provides the best value for your requirements.
AT&T and Xfinity both provide high-speed home internet services with wide coverage areas. However, AT&T boasts a larger fiber network as well as unlimited data allowances on many of its plans.
Xfinity offers high-speed cable internet in more places than AT&T, even with its smaller fiber network. This makes it easier for customers who live in rural areas or transitioning to a new city to find reliable high-speed options.
Both providers are expanding their networks to add more fiber coverage, which can boost download speeds. AT&T in particular has made significant advancements to its network recently, installing over 50,000 miles of fiber-optic cables across America.
Its network is becoming more adept at connecting homes to public WiFi hotspots, something Xfinity also does. At present, Xfinity boasts a public Wi-Fi network in over 2 million locations and a private one for subscribers' use.
Xfinity has also invested in mobile hotspots to connect more people to their networks. This gives Xfinity the capacity to deliver faster and more dependable service than ever before, as well as making internet access more convenient for a wider range of people.
Xfinity provides more plans than AT&T, with specific details that vary by region. Most Xfinity plans require a contract, so it's essential to comprehend the conditions before signing up for service.
AT&T and Xfinity both have data caps on their non-fiber plans, which may present a challenge for households with multiple users who need to stream video or download large files. Furthermore, both companies charge fees for exceeding their data allowances.
Overall, Xfinity offers better prices on its non-fiber plans than AT&T. However, most Xfinity plans require a contract and advertised prices are usually only valid for the first 12 months.
Bundling
Bundling is a marketing tactic that pairs two products or services to create an enticing offer for consumers. The purpose is to boost sales of both items while cutting the cost of advertising and distribution. A successful bundle may even help retailers increase their average order value, since customers tend to purchase more when prices are discounted on bundled items.
AT&T Internet and Xfinity both offer various plans tailored towards different households. Xfinity utilizes cable connections for high-speed download speeds, while AT&T relies on fiber optics - ultrafast, reliable connections. Furthermore, both companies have plans that don't require contracts and are cheaper than those that do.
Xfinity Internet offers a range of promotions and deals for new subscribers, such as gift cards and free streaming service subscriptions. These incentives typically change monthly, so be sure to check back often to see if any meet your requirements.
Many Xfinity Internet plans come with a limit of one terabyte (1,000GB) of data per month, so be mindful when using up that space. You can always upgrade to an unlimited plan for higher speeds and unlimited data to avoid this restriction.
However, if you have multiple power users in your household, AT&T's Unlimited Home Internet plan might be worth considering. This plan is ideal for people who own multiple devices like gaming consoles and streaming media players.
Both Xfinity and AT&T provide bundles that combine internet, TV and home phone services. These packages can save you money while making it simpler to manage all your services in one place.
Another advantage to bundling your services is that it can reduce your monthly bill for all three. AT&T's DIRECTV TV package can be combined with their internet service at a discount, while their TV packages include additional benefits like NFL Sunday Ticket.
AT&T's DIRECTV TV service is a top choice among those seeking top-tier entertainment. It boasts an expansive channel lineup, impressive sports programming and an impressive DVR. Plus, DIRECTV has earned itself the reputation as one of the market's most reliable and successful providers.