AT&T vs Suddenlink- Is AT&T Better than Suddenlink?

In the bustling modern world of today, internet connectivity is a vital component of our daily lives. It connects us to our loved ones, allows us to work from the comfort of our homes, and opens up the endless possibilities of the world wide web. Two titans reign supreme: AT&T vs Suddenlink. These colossi stand astride the landscape of internet service providers, offering a multitude of plans to quench the insatiable thirst for internet connectivity. Both companies have their own positives and negatives, but which one is better?

It is important to compare these two providers to determine the best fit for your needs. Let’s evaluate the pros and cons of AT&T and Suddenlink, compare their internet plans, and examine the key features of their internet service. By the end of this article, you will have all the information to pick the right provider for yourself. So, let’s buckle up and embark on this journey to discover the winner!

AT&T

AT&T, a name that echoes throughout the history of American telecommunications, was born from a series of mergers and acquisitions spanning decades. In the early 20th century, AT&T became a monopoly in the telephone industry, controlling nearly all of the nation’s telephone service. However, the company faced antitrust lawsuits that ultimately resulted in its break-up in 1984. AT&T was split into seven “Baby Bell” regional companies, with AT&T retaining control of long-distance telephone services.

Today, AT&T offers various telecommunications services, including wireless communication, internet, TV, and phone services. AT&T has become one of the biggest internet service providers (ISP) in the US and offers internet services in over 21 states. The company offers a range of internet services, including DSL, Fiber, IPBB, and wireless. Their Fiber connection provides customers with high-speed internet connections with up to 5 Gbps of speed, which is quite impressive.

Pros

• Offers high-speed internet connection
• Provides reliable internet services
• Offers multiple internet plans to choose from
• Has a good reputation as a telecommunications company
• No data caps or contract for fiber plans

Cons

• Slow DSL internet plans
• Prices of some internet plans can be expensive
• Coverage area may be limited in some regions

Suddenlink

Suddenlink is a US-based telecommunications company that provides internet, cable TV, and phone services to its customers. Suddenlink, a subsidiary of Altice USA, has recently undergone a rebranding. The parent company has decided to fold Suddenlink fully into its “Optimum” broadband line by the end of 2022. Despite this change, Suddenlink’s home internet service continues to offer reliable connectivity and a range of internet plans to over a million customers. Their internet plans feature some aggressive promotional pricing for cable internet, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordable internet service. 

Optimum’s internet services are known for their aggressive promotional pricing, making them an attractive option for customers looking for affordable internet plans. Suddenlink’s internet plans offer high-speed internet connections, making them competitive with other ISPs in the market.

Pros

• Offers a range of internet plans
• No data caps or contracts
• Offers home phone service and cable TV add-ons
• Equipment rental included with plans

Cons

• Limited coverage area in some regions
• After the first year, prices increase significantly
• level of customer satisfaction has been decreasing consistently

Internet Plans – AT&T vs Suddenlink

When it comes to internet plans, both AT&T and Suddenlink offer a range of options to their customers. Let’s dive into them.

AT&T

AT&T offers several internet plans. Their fiber plans don’t have contracts or data caps. About 18 million customers in AT&T’s footprint can choose from their Internet 300, Internet 500, and Internet 1000 fiber plans. However, the multi-gig plans are available to just over 7 million customers. The fiber plans offer impressive speeds, but the rest of the plans use a DSL/fiber hybrid approach to service the rest of AT&T’s customers. Sadly, the addition of DSL infrastructure means that speeds are slower than what the fiber plans offer. Take a look at all the options below:

Suddenlink

Suddenlink’s internet plans offer high-speed internet connections, with download speeds up to 5 Gbps, making them competitive with other ISPs in the market. However, while the company does offer fiber internet in some areas, it’s not as widely available as AT&T’s fiber plans. All of Optimum’s internet plans are better than AT&T’s DSL and fixed wireless options, providing customers with better download and upload speeds without having to deal with limiting data caps.

Internet Service Comparison – AT&T vs Suddenlink

The table below summarizes the key differences between AT&T vs Suddenlink.

Let’s explore each of their features in detail.

Internet Speed – AT&T vs Suddenlink Internet

As we delve into the world of internet service providers, one of the most crucial factors to consider is internet speed. How fast is the connection? Let’s explore the internet speed offered by AT&T and Suddenlink.

AT&T, with its impressive fiber plans, offers speeds up to 5 Gbps, making it one of the fastest internet service providers in the US. However, AT&T’s DSL and fixed wireless options provide slower speeds of up to 100 Mbps

On the other hand, Suddenlink’s internet plans also offer high-speed internet connections with download speeds of up to 5 Gbps. However, the availability of their fiber internet is not as widespread as AT&T’s fiber plans. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on the individual’s location and internet usage needs.

Data Caps – Suddenlink vs AT&T

As we continue to evaluate the internet plans of AT&T and Suddenlink, another critical aspect that we must consider is the data caps imposed by these ISPs. For those who are unaware, data caps are the limits that ISPs impose on the amount of data that customers can use in a given period. This can be a significant concern for customers who regularly consume a lot of data.

In this regard, AT&T is not exactly the most customer-friendly ISP as they do impose data caps on their DSL and wireless internet plans. Customers who opt for DSL plans are limited to 1 TB of data per month, while wireless customers have a data cap of 350 GB per month. However, the good news is that AT&T’s Fiber plans do not have data caps, which is undoubtedly a relief for customers who opt for these plans.

Instead, Suddenlink offers a more generous data policy as they do not charge any data caps on their plans. Customers who use Suddenlink’s internet service can enjoy unlimited data usage without worrying about reaching a data limit.

Installation Options & Cost – Suddenlink vs AT&T

In terms of installation options and costs, AT&T and Suddenlink have some differences. AT&T charges a fee of $99 for a full, in-home tech installation, while Suddenlink has a cheaper setup charge that runs at $59, which is also included if you order their service online. However, for some AT&T addresses, there is an option for self-installation, which can save you money, but not all addresses qualify for this. On the positive side, AT&T often offers online promos where the installation fee is waived, especially for their higher-speed plans, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for such offers. Additionally, you can always try to negotiate for a waiver of the installation fee when signing up for their service.

Suddenlink seems to be the more affordable option for installation costs, but AT&T’s online promos can make their service more attractive in terms of installation fees.

Equipment Required – Suddenlink vs AT&T

Regarding equipment, AT&T and Suddenlink provide their customers with the necessary devices to connect to the internet. AT&T offers a variety of equipment options depending on the plan you choose. Their DSL plans require a modem/router combination, which they provide for a monthly rental fee. For fiber plans, they provide a Wi-Fi gateway, which serves as a modem, router, and Wi-Fi access point. They also offer the option to purchase your own compatible equipment. Suddenlink also provides a modem/router combo for their internet plans, and it’s included in the monthly fee.

At the start of 2022, AT&T and SuddenLink began charging to include the necessary gateway devices (modem or router) in the monthly cost, which is great news for customers. So, now customers don’t have to worry about any extra equipment charges for their internet service.

Who Has a Wider Coverage Area, AT&T or Suddenlink?

Both AT&T and Suddenlink have a significant presence across the United States. The comparison table above shows that both companies are available in 21 states. However, when looking at the FCC’s numbers, AT&T has wider availability compared to Suddenlink. AT&T is available to over 40% of the country, while Suddenlink reaches less than 6% of the country.

In terms of specific locations, Suddenlink has a strong presence in states such as Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the northeastern tri-state area. On the other hand, AT&T doesn’t face competition from Suddenlink in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Both companies offer services in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Overall, while both companies offer coverage in a significant number of states, AT&T has a more widespread presence across the country compared to Suddenlink.

Who Has Better Customer Service, AT&T or Suddenlink?

AT&T and Suddenlink have different reputations when it comes to customer service. While both ISPs are part of an industry that is notorious for poor customer satisfaction, AT&T tends to perform better in customer satisfaction surveys compared to Suddenlink.

According to J.D. Power’s 2021 US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, AT&T received an average score of 738 out of 1,000 possible points, with a shining performance in the North Central, and South regions. On the other hand, Optimum, which is now part of Suddenlink, received only 655 points in the East region, well below the overall average of 714. It fared even worse in the South, where it got just 621 points.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index also paints a similar picture, with AT&T receiving 69 out of 100 points and ranking third in the index. Although the score was 3% lower than the previous year, it still surpassed the industry average. Meanwhile, Optimum received just 59 points and ranked at the bottom of the ACSI chart. The only ISP below it was Suddenlink, now a part of Optimum.

In summary, AT&T appears to have a better reputation for customer service than Suddenlink.

Final Verdict – AT&T or Suddenlink Internet?

So, both companies offer various packages with competitive pricing and similar features such as high-speed internet. After comparing AT&T vs Suddenlink in terms of overall service, it is clear that AT&T comes out on top in most categories. AT&T offers faster internet speeds with its fiber plans, while Suddenlink’s fiber plans are not as widely available. AT&T also has more favorable customer service ratings. Both providers have a similar coverage area, with both being available in 21 states across the US, but AT&T has more widespread availability to customers across the US. Overall, it boils down to personal preference based on the user’s location and internet needs.