AT&T and Google Fiber are affordable, reliable, and high-speed internet providers. However, AT&T is cheaper and more widely available than Google Fiber.
While AT&T’s fiber internet offerings start at $55 per month, delivering speeds of up to 5 Gigs in 23 states, Google Fiber plans start at $70 per month and distribute up to 8 Gig speeds in only 24 listed cities.
For more details on Google Fiber and AT&T plans, pricing, and performance, keep reading this blog as we unveil the major differences between the two internet service providers (ISPs) and declare one as the clear winner.
Google Fiber
Google Fiber, also known as GFiber, is a subsidy of Alphabet Inc. and offers fiber-rich internet services to American households and businesses.
Google Fiber initially started its commercial broadband service with only two plans – 1 Gig and 2 Gig in 2019. However, their latest lineup includes hyperfast speed tiers – 5 Gig and 8 Gig, available in select markets for $125 and $150 per month, respectively.
GFiber plans start at $70 per month and include free expert installation with performance verification, mesh extenders, Wi-Fi 6E routers, and unlimited monthly data.
Pros
- Download speeds up to 8 Gbps
- Affordable prices
- No data caps or contracts
- Free equipment and installation
Cons
- Limited availability of multi-gig plans
- Does not offer speeds lower than 1 Gig
AT&T
The American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T Inc.) is one of the biggest telecommunications companies in the USA, offering home and business internet to nearly 100 million consumers.
AT&T provides internet through three main types of internet connections – fiber (AT&T Fiber), hybrid fiber-copper technology (AT&T IPBB), and fixed wireless broadband internet (AT&T Internet Air).
All the AT&T Fiber and other high-speed plans are free of data caps. Moreover, there are no long-term contract obligations. So, customers don’t have to worry about an early termination fee.
Pros
- Budget-friendly services and plans
- High customer satisfaction
- Fiber internet is widely available
- Unlimited data on most plans
- No annual contracts
Cons
- IPBB speeds are slower
- Possible price hikes after 12 months
- 1.5 TB data cap on some IPBB plans
Internet Service Comparison – Google Fiber vs AT&T
| Features | Google Fiber | AT&T |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Internet | Fiber-optic | Fiber, IPBB, Fixed Wireless |
| Price Range | $70.00 to $150.00/mo. | $55.00 – $245.00/mo.* |
| Speed Range | 1,000 to 8,000 Mbps | 10 – 5,000 Mbps |
| Availability | 19 states | 23 states |
| Contracts | Not Required | Not required |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data | 1.5 TB on some IPBB plans |
| Installation Fee | FREE | $99.00 |
| Equipment Fee | Included | Included |
| Bundles | Available | Available |
| Perks | Free mesh extenders | $150 on reward cards |
| Customer Rating | 76/100 | 80/100 |
Plans & Pricing Details – Google Fiber vs AT&T Internet
Google Fiber’s month-to-month internet service starts at $70, and its tiers only include gigabit and multigigabit speeds. In comparison, AT&T Fiber’s speed range is between 300 and 5,000 Mbps, and its starting price is $55 per month.
A better way to gauge the affordability of the two service providers would be to look at the 1,000 Mbps (1 Gig) plan. While Google Fiber’s 1 Gig plan costs $70 per month, AT&T Fiber’s 1 Gig plan costs $80, and the price is subject to an increase after 12 months.
Fortunately, both Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber offer all-inclusive plans with unlimited data, free equipment, and contract-free service.
Google Fiber Internet Plans
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gig | $70.00/mo. | 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| 2 Gig | $100.00/mo. | 2,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| 5 Gig | $125.00/mo.* | 5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| 8 Gig | $150.00/mo.* | 8,000 Mbps | Fiber |
AT&T Internet Plans
| Plans | Starting Price | Max Speed | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Air | $60.00/mo. | Up to 225 Mbps | Fixed Wireless (5G/ LTE) |
| Internet 25* | $60.00/mo.** | Up to 25 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 50* | $60.00/mo.** | Up to 50 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 75* | $60.00/mo.** | Up to 75 Mbps | IPBB |
| Internet 100 | $60.00/mo.** | Up to 100 Mbps | IPBB |
| Fiber 300 | $55.00/mo. | Up to 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 500 | $65.00/mo. | Up to 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 1 Gig | $80.00/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 2 Gig | $145.00/mo. | Up to 2,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Fiber 5 Gig | $245.00/mo. | Up to 5,000 Mbps | Fiber |
**Price is subject to change after 12 months.
All prices are after a $10 AutoPay & paperless billing discount.
Additional Costs – Google Fiber vs AT&T Fiber
| Additional Cost | Google Fiber | AT&T |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Fee | FREE | $99.00 |
| Equipment Fee | $0.00/mo.* | Free |
| Early Termination Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Late Payment Fee | N/A** | Up to $9.99/mo. |
**Google Fiber does not charge a late payment fee for making payments after the due date.
Data Caps & Overage Fees – Google Fiber vs AT&T Fiber
Google Fiber and AT&T offer unlimited data to their customers on every plan. That implies that users will not hit a data cap and incur overage fees when engaging in various data-intensive online activities, such as large file downloads, continuous video streaming, competitive multiplayer gaming, and cloud-based content production.
However, 1.5 TB data caps apply to slower IPBB tiers, including AT&T Internet 75. There is a $10 data overage fee for every 50 GB of excess data.
Installation Options – AT&T vs Google Fiber Internet
AT&T and Google Fiber both offer free expert installation to their customers.
When customers sign up for Google Fiber’s multigigabit plans, they are eligible for free professional installation and performance verification. However, GFiber 1 Gig plan customers can choose between free professional or self-installation.
On the other hand, AT&T offers a free self-installation kit if you want to install AT&T Internet on your own. The self-installation kit is free and includes a detailed user manual in the box. However, if you choose professional installation, AT&T will charge $99 for technical assistance.
TV & Internet Bundles – AT&T vs Google Fiber
AT&T allows you to bundle up your TV streaming with the Internet. You can watch more than 160 TV channels with an internet speed of 300 Mbps, striking the ideal combination of performance and price. Three special TV and internet combos are available under AT&T Bundles, with monthly rates beginning at $124.99 + taxes.
In contrast, with Google Fiber bundles, you can select any streaming service based on pricing, channel list, and additional features. The ISP has collaborated with leading streaming services, such as YouTube TV, FuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Sling TV. Additionally, no obligations, like yearly contracts, are associated with these packages.
Perks – AT&T vs Google Fiber Internet
AT&T and Google Fiber offer a variety of perks to their subscribers. For instance, with the purchase of an AT&T Fiber plan, you get reward credits of up to $150 and an early termination fee (ETF) coverage.
For example, if you are currently under a contract with your previous provider, but wish to switch to AT&T Fiber, you can provide the latest internet bill with an ETF amount quoted on it and get reimbursement up to the nearest $10 increment.
Moreover, all the AT&T Fiber plans include free access to ActiveArmor cybersecurity.
In comparison, Google Fiber offers value-added internet packages with captivating perks like free Wi-Fi 6E routers and mesh extenders for whole-home wireless connectivity.
Better Option for Gaming – Google Fiber or AT&T Fiber?
AT&T and Google Fiber deliver top gaming performance on their fiber-rich plans. Their symmetrical multi-gig speeds and ultra-low latencies ensure superfast and lag-free gameplay on multiple devices at once.
However, in the world of online gaming, latency rate or ping affects the gameplay more than the upload and download speeds. From the comparison table below, we can see that the average latency of AT&T Fiber is lower than Google Fiber. Therefore, online gaming on AT&T’s fiber connection will be smoother.
| Internet Service Provider | Average Latency |
|---|---|
| Google Fiber | 13 ms |
| AT&T | 8 – 12 ms |
But if the choice is between AT&T IPBB/ fixed wireless and Google Fiber, then opt for the latter because the latencies of AT&T IPBB and fixed wireless are as high as 30 ms and 35 ms, respectively.
Wider Coverage Area – Google Fiber or AT&T?
When it comes to AT&T’s availability, it is nearly 23 states-wide and easily accessible in most metro areas. The country’s southwest, southeast, and Mid-Atlantic regions fall under AT&T’s main service locations.
Whereas, Google Fiber’s availability is limited to 24 cities across 19 states. However, the provider plans to expand its fiber network to 17 more cities, including Chandler, AZ, and Metro Las Vegas, NV.
Following are the 12 states where AT&T and Google Fiber offer high-speed internet coverage.
| States Where Google Fiber & AT&T Coverage Overlaps | |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Kansas |
| Arizona | Missouri |
| California | Nevada |
| Florida | North Carolina |
| Georgia | Tennessee |
| Illinois | Texas |
Better Customer Service – Google Fiber or AT&T?
The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) and J.D. Power survey have ranked AT&T at the top for customer service excellence.
For example, AT&T and Google Fiber’s customer satisfaction scores were compared in the ACSI’s ‘fiber internet service providers’ category where AT&T topped the list with a score of 80 out of 100 points. On the same list, Google Fiber took the 6th position with 76 out of 100 points.
While AT&T was the best residential internet service provider in the west and north central regions, according to the J.D. Power survey, it ranked second to Google Fiber in the south region (the only region where the two providers went head-to-head).
Therefore, as a regional internet service provider, Google Fiber offers better customer service compared to AT&T.
| Google Fiber | AT&T Fiber |
|---|---|
| ACSI (Fiber Internet Providers Category) | |
| 76/100 | 80/100 |
| J.D. Power (South Region) | |
| 839/1,000 | 753/1,000 |
Google Fiber vs AT&T Fiber – Winner: AT&T
Google Fiber and AT&T Fiber provide incredibly affordable, reliable, and fiber-rich connections. But if you have to choose between the two providers, we recommend opting for AT&T.
Firstly, AT&T’s fiber offerings are available in over 20.7 million customer locations, covering more than 100 metro areas. In contrast, Google Fiber is only available in 24 cities, and its 5-Gig and 8-Gig plans are limited to a handful of markets.
Secondly, AT&T offers a variety of connection types and speed tiers, ensuring that everyone in its wide customer base has a plan that suits their speed requirements. Google Fiber, on the other hand, only offers gigabit and multigigabit speeds, which can be unnecessarily fast for single-person or small households.
Lastly, even though the price-to-speed ratio suggests that AT&T Fiber is slightly more expensive than Google Fiber, its included features and perks offer better value for the money paid. For example, you get credits on reward cards and free antivirus software, both of which are non-existent with Google Fiber’s broadband service.
So, in this Google Fiber vs AT&T Fiber debate, we will declare AT&T as the clear winner.
