AT&T DSL
AT&T’s internet plans don’t offer many choices for speed and other options, but sometimes simpler is better. AT&T offers two types of internet service: fiber plans and DSL plans.. You’ll get more bang for the buck with AT&T Fiber – if it’s available in your area. But you can’t go wrong with an AT&T DSL plan, either.
What AT&T Internet plan you can get largely depends on where you live, and chances are if you don’t live in a big metro area, you’ll have only the DSL option. AT&T refers to it as the Up To 100 mbps plan.
DSL internet plans
AT&T offers only one DSL plan. Others may give you more options, however the nature of DSL is that they are all pretty much the same – a phone line to your home with the line speed dependent on how close you are to the hub. Up to 100 Mbps is the speed and it’s hard to know which speed you’ll actually get. What AT&T does is connect you to the fastest download speeds in your area based on their equipment in the area — up to 100 Mbps.
So the question of whether the Up to 100 Mbps plan is a good deal or not really depends on how fast the download speeds in your area are. As you can see DSL is now the same rate as Fiber.
AT&T broadband internet prices and plans
 | Price | Download Speed | Data Cap | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INTERNET 100 | $49.99/mo. for 12 mos. | 100Mbps | 1TB |  |
| INTERNET 1000 | $49.99/mo. for 12 mos. | 940Mbps | Unlimited | |
DSL internet service compared to cable and fiber
Both DSL and cable internet connect you to the internet thanks to copper wires. The difference is DSL carries data over phone lines, while cable uses copper cables. Fiber uses cables that transmit signals with light technology that doesn’t get as distorted over long distances.
Both DSL and Cable internet connections run into issues the farther you are from your ISP or neighborhood internet node. However, fiber will be a consistent speed – which is why we recommend Fiber. Not long ago DSL was much cheaper than cable internet or fiber internet, however rates have changed and they’re very close in monthly rates. The price break comes with bundle deals.
TV + internet bundles
The big incentive you’ll get with AT&T Internet is that bundling can actually save you money. At the time this review was written AT&T is selling the first 12 months of TV + Internet actually cheaper than Internet service alone. That doesn’t last, however, it’s a marginal difference to get TV added.
You’ll have the choice of bundling your DSL or fiber internet plan with either U-verse (AT&T’s proprietary TV service) or DIRECTV.
Your bundle can also include home phone service, but if you order DSL phone line is mandatory.
Conclusion
DSL is a good choice, and is a reliable connection to the internet. However, since AT&T is trying to convert customers to fiber it’s best to go along if it’s available. If you’re living in a rural area, and DSL the only service available, you’re in good hands. Considering the alternative is dial-up internet you’re better off.
