AT&T vs Xfinity Internet An In-depth Comparison

Low starting prices or fewer outages? AT&T vs Xfinity internet is a face-off between two industry heavy weights, each dominating a specific market, fiber, and cable. On most occasions, AT&T is the best choice for internet connectivity, but it doesn’t mean that Xfinity has less impressive options.

Both providers have their own specialties. If you are one of the fortunate few with access to both Xfinity and AT&T, especially AT&T Fiber, then you can read this review to discover which option fits best in your home.

AT&T Internet

To fulfill its mission of creating better connections, AT&T uses various technologies to cover more ground. However, the provider has become a prominent market leader by focusing on two key technologies, fiber and 5G.

Hence, its fiber network has grown exponentially and now has the potential to operate in more than 25 million customer locations. AT&T is further strengthening its network to reach and connect more people and businesses.

Pros:

• Good variety of fiber internet plans
• Simple pricing strategy
• Unlimited data on all fiber internet plans
• Contract-free internet provider
• Offers free equipment
• Excellent ratings for customer satisfaction

Cons:

• Fiber internet is limited to 100+ metro regions

Xfinity Internet

Xfinity is a brand of Comcast with a mission to provide outstanding broadband, entertainment, and mobile services. Since the provider has the largest cable network, it is more accessible than AT&T and provides broadband to over 32 million customers.

Xfinity has also made massive investments to roll out its next-generation 10G network and, hence, now offers fast and reliable connections to more than 60 million homes and businesses. With multi-gig speeds, wide availability, and affordable starting price, Xfinity remains the top choice for home internet in the US.

Pros:

• Excellent variety of speeds
• Low starting price
• Some plans have fixed prices for 2 years
• Above-average ratings for customer satisfaction

Cons:

• Prices vary with regions
• Data caps of 1.2 TB on some plans
• Requires a term agreement with some plans

AT&T vs Xfinity Internet Comparison

AT&T and Xfinity both use different methods for broadband transmission. The former mainly relies on fiber and internet protocol broadband (IPBB) technologies while the latter uses its excellent cable network. Therefore, Xfinity is more accessible and cheaper. However, AT&T has better customer service and is more valuable in the long run.

Let’s do a head-to-head comparison to see which provider scores the most points in terms of pricing, speed, and additional charges.

AT&T vs Xfinity Internet – Plans & Pricing

Both Xfinity and AT&T give you an impressive lineup of speeds, but Xfinity has more variety. Let’s get into the details.

AT&T

AT&T offers multiple IPBB and fiber internet plans at a similar starting price point, $55 per month. However, its fiber internet plans are faster, powering your home with symmetrical uploads and downloads of up to 5,000 Mbps.

They also have splendid perks like unlimited data, no term agreement, free equipment, and a security suite, making them an ideal option for heavy online activities.

Xfinity

In contrast, Xfinity has cheaper starting prices and gives you various mid-tier speed options. But its plans are not as straightforward as AT&T’s, with varying pricing and other terms like data caps and contracts, depending on where you live in the Northeast, West, or Central region.

Xfinity’s plans are also asymmetrical, but they can be valuable for average users who plan to stay with Xfinity for a long time. The provider offers fixed pricing on some plans if you sign a contract.

AT&T vs Xfinity Internet – Additional Costs

So, how much do both providers charge in the name of ‘additional’ services? Let’s explore the ‘extras’ on both Xfinity and AT&T internet service.

Equipment Fee

Xfinity charges a monthly fee for its equipment, while AT&T gives you a free Wi-Fi gateway or modem depending on the type of its service. With Xfinity, you have two options. You can either rent Xfinity’s xFi Gateway for $15 per month or enjoy the extra features of xFi Complete, such as unlimited data and a free upgrade for $25 per month.

Early Termination Fee (ETF)

Since AT&T does not make its customers sign a term agreement, they should not be concerned about paying an early cancellation fee while switching services. On the other hand, a 1 or 2-year contract is required with most Xfinity internet plans to obtain the lowest price.

Hence, you might have to pay an early termination fee mentioned in the term agreement if you violate the contract. So, make sure to carefully view the fine print before finalizing an Xfinity internet plan.

Data Overage Fee

Both Xfinity and AT&T have similar data overage fees. Once you exceed their monthly data limit, both providers charge $10 for every 50 GB of additional data. However, both providers offer sufficient monthly data, so unless you are a power user, it is impossible for you to cross 1 TB of data usage each month.

Moreover, you only have to worry about this fee if you are subscribed to their plans with data caps.

AT&T vs Xfinity Internet – Bundles

Besides the internet, both Xfinity and AT&T offer several other services. Therefore, you can combine them with your internet service to receive various benefits like a convenient billing process and discounts. Let’s see which provider has the best bundling options.

AT&T Bundles

You can combine AT&T’s home internet with AT&T Wireless or home phone service. But for TV, you will have to bundle AT&T Internet with DIRECTV. However, there is no exclusive discount on these packages. Here are some of the most popular AT&T bundles.

AT&T offers discounts only on its fiber internet and wireless phone bundles, allowing you to save up to $240 in a year.

Xfinity Bundles

In contrast, Xfinity offers bundling discounts depending on the number of services. You can combine its home internet with TV, Mobile, home phone, or even home security to receive excellent benefits.

Xfinity’s bundles are more valuable than AT&T’s, offering multi-year promotional discounts and fixed internet prices for up to 3 years. However, they also require a contract. Here are some of the best Xfinity bundles in the Northeast region.

AT&T vs Xfinity Internet – Availability

Both AT&T and Xfinity are highly accessible internet providers. While you can find AT&T throughout the country due to its extensive 5G network, its fiber internet is limited to 22 states. In comparison, Xfinity delivers internet connection in 36 states, making it one of the major internet providers in the country.

AT&T vs Xfinity Internet – Customer Service

AT&T’s customer service performs better than Xfinity’s. It tops the fiber internet providers list in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index with a score of 80, comfortably above the overall industry average. 

Surprisingly, AT&T also holds the second position in the non-fiber internet providers category, right behind T-Mobile, with a score of 72. These above-average numbers indicate that customers are highly satisfied with this provider.

Xfinity, on the other hand, has mixed results. While it has an above-average score in the non-fiber internet providers category, it ranks last among fiber internet providers, indicating room for improvement.

AT&T vs Xfinity Internet – Which Provider Is Better?

That’s your call! AT&T is a perfect choice on paper, with faster and symmetrical speeds, fewer additional charges, better terms, and excellent customer service. However, Xfinity’s wide coverage, cheaper prices, and outstanding bundle deals also make it an impressive option.

Through this AT&T vs Xfinity Internet comparison, we have tried to erase your confusion by highlighting the major differences between these providers. So, carefully analyze both providers and compare them with your needs to make a better choice.

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