Best AT&T Competitors & Alternatives in 2024

In free market economies, companies are well aware that competitors can make or break their brands. Businesses that approach competition with a positive mindset can innovate and offer a better quality of goods and services to their customers. The first skill that brands must master is to achieve competitive advantage and embrace uniqueness. In the USA alone, there are around 2,965 internet service providers and over 870 wireless network carriers. And while it may seem like a sea of telecom companies out there, each one is successful in its own right. AT&T is the reigning champion of internet and wireless telecommunications technology. But there are some areas in the USA where its coverage is unavailable. At such places, the best AT&T competitors and alternatives step up to fill the gaps in connectivity.     

AT&T Competitors for Internet Service

AT&T offers a myriad of products and services to its 300 million American customers who are benefiting from its broadband, 5G wireless, home phone, home security, DirecTV, and business-related provisions. AT&T’s internet coverage is limited to 21 states of the USA. The top 5 AT&T competitors are filling the connectivity gap in the remaining 29 states where AT&T is unable to deliver its ultrafast multigigabit internet speeds. 

Let’s take a look at some of the best AT&T competitors that are promising gigabit and multigigabit broadband speeds at the lowest monthly rates. 

Frontier Fiber – Best Overall Alternative to AT&T Internet

Frontier Fiber is the best AT&T competitor, especially in the midwest region because it too can offer equal upload and download speeds up to 5000 Mbps for a starting price of $40 per month. In fact, some customers will prefer Frontier Fiber over AT&T Fiber because Frontier’s base plan (Frontier Fiber 500) is $15 cheaper than AT&T Fiber’s entry-level plan and can offer 500 Mbps of symmetrical speeds instead of AT&T’s Internet 300. 

Subscribe to a Frontier Fiber Internet Plan Now!

Call Frontier at 877-410-3834

Frontier Fiber offers unlimited data and no-contract service. The monthly price of an advanced, Frontier-compatible Amazon eero Pro 6 router is included in the price for the Frontier internet plans quoted below. 

Windstream – Best Multi-Gig AT&T Internet Competitor

Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Kinetic by Windstream Holdings is rocking the floor of multigigabit digital connectivity. The residential arm of Windstream Internet was rebranded as Kinetic in early 2019. Today, Kinetic is focused on delivering high-speed internet, TV streaming, and home phone services to over 9 million customers within its 18-state coverage area. Kinetic Internet covers the eastern side of the country and the service is widely available in the southeast, mid-Atlantic, and south-central regions. 

Customers can get up to 8000 Mbps of the same equal download speeds on Kinetic’s fiber-optic network. The Kinetic Fiber internet service is the best alternative to AT&T internet for 1 Gig Plus internet speeds.

Subscribe to a Windstream Internet Plan Now!

Call Windstream at 877-412-0760

With Kinetic Fiber internet plans, you get unlimited data, a 30-day money-back guarantee, up to $100 credit on VISA Reward Card, and cutting-edge equipment. You do not have to worry about early terminations because Kinetic Internet does not bind its customers to annual contracts. 

Metronet Internet – Cheapest AT&T Competitor

Metronet is a regional internet service provider that offers fiber-exclusive broadband and home phone service to its residential and business customers. Colloquially known as the Internet Provider of the Midwest, Metronet started out in 2005 as a family-run business in Greencastle, Indiana. In a span of 18 years, Metronet has managed to expand its 100 percent fiber-rich network to over 250 communities across 16 states. Metronet is a strong AT&T competitor for fully-fiber optic internet service. For a starting price of $29.95 per month (for 12 months), it can offer superfast upload and download speeds of up to 5000 Mbps.

All new subscribers of Metronet Internet get one month of free service and free expert installation. At present, Metronet offers four tiers of speed at varying prices. Every internet plan includes unlimited data, modem, and WiFi router, access to 24/7 tech support, and no-contract service. 

Over the years, Metronet Internet has won several accolades for being the fastest internet provider in the region. Its customer service excellence is synonymous with mother’s care, and that’s why Metronet fiber internet is the best alternative to AT&T for a high customer satisfaction score. 

Spectrum Internet- Most Widely Available AT&T Alternative

Spectrum Internet is the second-largest cable internet provider in the country. It was established in 2014 to offer a suite of advanced telecommunications services, including cable TV, mobile phone, home phone, and cybersecurity to its 32 million customers across 41 states of the USA. Spectrum Internet’s large coverage area makes it the most widely available alternative to AT&T Internet service. It can deliver up to 1000 Mbps of download speed on its hybrid fiber-coaxial cable network. 

For a starting price of $49.99 per month, Spectrum Internet plans distribute asymmetrical internet speeds with up to 99.9 percent network reliability. Spectrum’s recently launched 3-in-1, supersaver Spectrum One deal gives it a competitive edge in the US broadband market. Therefore Spectrum Internet® is a fierce AT&T competitor in terms of offering the best value for money. The Spectrum One bundle includes a high-speed internet connection, whole-home WiFi coverage/ security, and one free Spectrum Mobile Unlimited line (for a promo period of 12 months). 

Subscribe to a Spectrum Internet Plan Now!

Call Spectrum at 877-410-3834

Spectrum Internet® customers are not required to sign yearly contracts. They get unlimited data, a 30-day money-back guarantee, a free internet modem, and free access to antivirus software for complete device and cybersecurity. 

CenturyLink Fiber – Cheapest Alternative to AT&T Internet

Lumen Technologies, formerly known as CenturyLink, now offers fiber internet services under the new brand name ‘Quantum Fiber.’ This high-speed internet service is available to both residential and business customers across the USA. Lumen was the nation’s third-largest internet service provider before October 2022, with broadband coverage encompassing 36 states. However, after selling assets in 20 states, its network is limited to specific areas of 16 states.

Quantum Fiber is a powerful rival to AT&T Internet, especially in terms of customer service. Its 24/7 customer support is known for prompt responses and effectively addressing all issues. The provider offers two internet plans with symmetrical speeds of up to 940 Mbps, starting at just $50 per month. Like AT&T, Quantum Fiber maintains fixed broadband prices, which sets it apart from other popular AT&T competitors, who often rely on introductory rates for 6, 12, or 18 months.

This consistency makes Quantum Fiber an excellent long-term alternative to AT&T Internet. Moreover, Quantum Fiber has a few additional costs, as it does not charge customers for installation or equipment leasing.

AT&T Competitors for Wireless Service

AT&T Wireless, otherwise known as AT&T Mobility, was founded in 2000 as a subsidy of AT&T Communications to provide cellular network technology to millions of mobile phone users in America. Apart from blazing-fast 5G phone plans, AT&T Mobility also sells the latest portable gadgets (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops) and related accessories in physical and online stores. AT&T’s nationwide 5G network is available to more than 285 million Americans. AT&T Wireless is said to have the best rural coverage for 4G and 5G LTE networks in the United States. But in case AT&T Wireless service is not available in your area or if you are interested in looking at some more cost-effective options, then the 5 best alternatives to AT&T Wireless are likely to meet your needs. 

Subscribe to a AT&T Wireless Plan Now!

Call AT&T at 877-209-3574

Our list of the top 5 alternatives to AT&T Wireless includes the 2 biggest AT&T competitors: Verizon and T-Mobile. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are the only three licensed cellular network operators in the USA and together form the Big Three. 

Spectrum Mobile™- Top AT&T Wireless Competitor

In June 2018, Spectrum Internet expanded into the mobile phone service business. It became a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) for Verizon Wireless. It means that Spectrum Mobile™ uses Verizon’s LTE towers to offer cellular phone service to its customers. Spectrum Mobile™ can leverage the benefits of being an MVNO and can offer its subscribers fast 5G mobile data and the lowest possible rates. It can avoid the operational costs of constructing and maintaining LTE towers throughout the country by piggybacking on Verizon’s existing network. On the backend, it can take over and improvise the management and offer fixed and unlimited mobile data at prices that are greatly as low as Verizon Wireless. Spectrum Mobile’s™ nationwide availability, affordable monthly rates, and straightforward plans make it the best overall alternative to AT&T Wireless. 

The Spectrum Mobile™ By the Gig plan costs $14 per month per line for every 1 GB of data. After hitting the data cap, you can purchase additional data up to 5 GB in a single billing cycle at the rate of $14 for every 1 GB of data. All the Spectrum Mobile™ plans include 5G access and unlimited calling and texting to any network within the country.

Please note that Spectrum Mobile™ Unlimited plan includes 20 GB of 5G data and the Spectrum Mobile™ Unlimited Plus plan includes 30 GB of 5G data. After using up your 5G data in the same billing cycle, your speeds will be reduced to 4G for unlimited use.  

T-Mobile- Fastest Alternative to AT&T Wireless 

T-Mobile US is a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom, a German telecommunications company operating in 20 countries on 5 continents. The local wing was established in 1999 on the ruins of Western Wireless Corporation. In the present day, T-Mobile has become the nation’s largest, fastest, and most reliable 5G network provider that serves more than 113.6 million customers. T-Mobile uses a combination of low and mid-band spectrums to provide the greatest coverage and fastest speeds. On its 5G mobile data network, T-Mobile subscribers can receive blistering-fast speeds, making surfing on the go a quick and easy affair. Hence, T-Mobile is the fastest alternative to AT&T Wireless for mobile phone users. 

As AT&T’s competitor, T-Mobile to offers a wide range of fixed and unlimited phone plans. Its top-selling unlimited phone plans start at $60 per month. With T-Mobile Unlimited phone plans you get unlimited premium data, non-stop domestic and international calling and texting, a hotspot allowance, an inflight connection, and free giveaways every Tuesday.  

Verizon Wireless – Most Widely Available AT&T Wireless Alternative

Verizon Wireless, owned by Verizon Communications, was created in April 2000 in Bedminster, New Jersey. Verizon is America’s most-subscribed cellular network provider with more than 142.8 million active customers. Its reliable wireless phone service is available in all 50 states of the USA, including Alaska and Hawaii. Verizon is also believed to offer the best 5G coverage in the rural areas of America, thereby making it the most widely available alternative to AT&T Wireless. 

Like T-Mobile, Verizon is a prominent AT&T competitor that offers an array of fixed and unlimited mobile data plans.Its unlimited mobile phone service starts at $65 per month and you get premium 5G data throughout the month. The service includes unlimited calling and texting on local and international numbers, up to 60 GB of hotspot allowance and discounted streaming bundles and cloud storage.

Cricket Wireless- Best AT&T Competitor for Network Reliability 

Nestled in the New York of the South, Atlanta, Georgia, Cricket Wireless is a prepaid mobile network provider that offers cellphone coverage to 10 million subscribers. The company was established in 1999 in Chicago, Illinois, and is currently owned by AT&T Corporation. Running on AT&T’s 4G and 5G LTE towers, Cricket Wireless offers reliable cellular phone service throughout the country. That’s why it has been recognized as the Best AT&T Competitor for Network Reliability. 

Cricket Wireless offers 2 fixed and 2 unlimited mobile phone plans. All the phone plans include unlimited talk time and texting within the country. International calling and texting to Canada and Mexico are available on the Cricket 10 plan and above. On the Cricket Wireless Unlimited Plus plan, you get 15 GB of hotspot allowance, free access to Max (ad-supported plan), 150 GB of Cloud storage, and a non-stop supply of superfast premium 5G data. 

Mint Mobile- Cheapest Alternative to AT&T Wireless

Mint Mobile is a privately-held mobile virtual network operator that uses T-Mobile’s wireless network to offer prepaid mobile data plans to its customers. Co-owned by the Hollywood heartthrob, Ryan Reynolds (25% share), Mint Mobile is solely digital, has no physical stores or offices, and therefore can keep its operational costs way below market average. It passes on these savings to its valued subscribers. Mint Mobile phone plans start at just $15 per month for 5 GB of mobile data, making it the cheapest alternative to AT&T Wireless in the USA. Mint Mobile’s convenient purchasing method, low costs, customized family plans, and 5G network reliability make it a worthy AT&T competitor. 

At the moment, Mint Mobile is offering 3 limited and one unlimited mobile data plan. All the plans offer prepaid phone service with non-stop calling and texting on local numbers. You can make free calls to Canada and Mexico, and share up to 5 GB of mobile data over a hotspot with your friends and family. Mint Mobile allows its customers to add up to 5 lines on the family plans and you are also given the option to choose between a physical SIM card or an e-SIM for a personalized user experience.    

Conclusion

AT&T is the undefeated champion of broadband and wireless technology. Since its founding in 1877, AT&T has worked on breakthrough inventions to offer smart solutions for telecommunications. From old-school dial-up internet connections to hyperfast fiber broadband and hand-crank telephones to modern-day smartphones, AT&T has innovated its products and services to meet its customers’ evolving needs. Despite its years of success, AT&T’s national footprint for the internet has remained limited to 21 states. Frontier Communications, an AT&T competitor, is stepping up to fill this gap in multigigabit connectivity. With symmetrical internet speeds up to 5 Gbps, Frontier Fiber is the best overall alternative to AT&T Internet. 

AT&T Wireless transmits high-speed and reliable 5G mobile data to over 200 million Americans. AT&T’s cellular network coverage is available in more than 24,000 cities and towns, but some parts of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon, serve as cell dead zones. In such areas, it is best to look for alternatives to AT&T Wireless to ensure mobile phone reception. Spectrum Mobile™is the best AT&T alternative for wireless coverage. It uses Verizon’s nationwide 5G network to deliver low-cost mobile data plans to its customers.