Statistics from U.S. Census Bureau shows that more than 90% of all homes in the country have stable and high-speed Internet. This shows that Internet has become an important utility of the American Household. With time, high speed internet will continue to gain popularity. However, with more Internet Service Providers (ISPs) entering the market with different speeds, prices and features, it’s going to be more confusing to make sound decisions regarding the best ISP for your specific internet needs.
Speaking of the two biggest ISPs in the country-Spectrum and AT&T, it can be confusing since the two of them provide internet services and other services in comparatively the same places. The speeds and prices for different packages from AT&T and Spectrum are nearly the same which makes it more complicated to choose. For that reason, we have compared availability, price, speeds, connection types and customer satisfaction from these two Internet Service Providers to ensure you don’t sit on the back seat.
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Spectrum vs. AT&T comparison summary
After comparing prices, connection type, availability, download and upload speeds, customer satisfaction and reliability, we came to the conclusion that Spectrum has relatively better services. In regard to Fiber Internet, AT&T won for the speeds and low prices. The only challenge is that AT&T recently discontinued its DSL service. The fiber internet is only limited to big cities. On the other hand, Spectrum offers no contracts.
In making this decision, we broke the comparison down to different connection type including Fiber, DSL and Cable Internet and availability. We moved on to check on internet-only packages, Bundle packages and additional features, so that we can see how the two companies compare and contrast to each other.
Spectrum vs. AT&T overview
What is Spectrum Internet?
Spectrum Internet is provided by Charter Communication and ranks as the third-best Internet service provider. Charter Spectrum is a trade name that markets Cable TV services, Phone services, Internet and wireless services in the US. The brand hit the market in 2014 and has challenged the Internet industry with fast DSL internet, high customer satisfaction score and affordable packages.
The company presents a standard no-contract plan with download speeds of up to 1000Mbps. The cost of different packages might vary but the standard package costs $49.99 every month for new subscribers. Moving on, Spectrum Internet offers speeds of up to 940Mbps and upload speeds of up to 35Mbps. There are several extras that you can get with Spectrum Internet such as a free antivirus and a Free Modem.
Read the Spectrum internet review
What is AT&T internet?
AT&T is an American Internet, Phone, Cable TV and a Wireless Services provider headquartered in Texas. It is known to be among the world’s largest Telecommunication Company that currently provides Internet Cable TV services, Cable Internet services, Fiber Internet and Phone. AT&T is also one of the oldest Internet providers in the US serving one of the largest areas in the country.
Read more about the AT&T internet review
Spectrum vs. AT&T: Packages and Prices
AT&T provides relatively cheaper services. However, you should know that AT&T services are limited in availability. The two companies offers speeds that are fast enough for all types of Internet needs. The speeds from AT&T and spectrum will keep you streaming your favorite HD videos and playing your big game without any bugs. For people living in large families where almost everyone is constantly using the internet, you might have to opt for the fastest Internet plans from Spectrum and AT&T. But with faster plans the prices go up. If you can get AT&T services in your area, you will probably have the best packages for a cheap price.
Currently, AT&T internet users can only choose from the three fiber option Internet plans. You will be required to enter in a year’s contract to get the promotional prices. After the first year, you will have to put up with relatively higher prices.
You will probably not get AT&T internet packages in smaller cities but if you live in the East Coast and Southern US, you will probably get connected to AT&T internet services. The packages offered are nothing to scoff especially if you care too much about the prices. The fastest Internet plan from AT&T is Internet 1,000 with download speeds of 940Mbps and Upload speeds of up to 880Mbps. This is the best Internet package for heavy internet users such as YouTubers, Serious gamers and anyone else that likes lightning fast speeds.
Most people usually consider AT&T fiber internet 300 as the best for their internet needs. This is because the internet plan is affordable and comes with adequate download and Upload speeds for an average family. The plan comes with 300Mbps download speeds which are enough for Netflix, streaming and Gaming.
| AT&T Fiber Internet Plan | Price/Month | Download speed |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 100 | $35/mo. | 100 Mbps |
| AT&T Fiber Internet 300 | $45/mo. | 300 Mbps |
| Internet 1000 | $60/mo.* | 940 Mbps |
AT&T was in a better position to beat Spectrum Internet but unfortunately, the company decided to Phase off AT&T DSL internet at the beginning of October 2020. But the existing DSL customers have nothing to worry about.
When AT&T fiber internet packages and prices are compared to Spectrum Internet speeds, features and prices, it’s easy to notice that AT&T fiber plans are cheaper. However, they are not widely available in the country. Spectrum on its side has some good deals but the Gig Plan is highly-priced. For users that are looking for fast Internet plans, Spectrum seems like a great deal. The company offers wider coverage for customers in rural areas and small cities. The speeds range from 100Mbps to 940Mbps. 100Mbps is juicy enough for streaming and gaming. But still I would love to see more plans from Spectrum especially because we love choices.
| Spectrum Internet Plan | Price/month | Download speed |
| Spectrum Internet® | $49.99* | Up to 100 Mbps |
| Spectrum Internet® | $49.99* | Up to 200 Mbps |
| Spectrum Internet Ultra | $69.99* | Up to 400 Mbps |
| Spectrum Internet GIG | $109.99* | Up to 940 Mbps |
The price for the 100Mbps is reasonable and affordable but we cannot say the same for other packages. The main reason why Spectrum is compared to AT&T is because of the prices and the contracts. Just like AT&T, Spectrum has few choices. When it comes to prices, I generally think that AT&T offers the best value for budgeters. Remember that AT&T is a fiber connection and the speeds are also more reliable. But for people that cannot get AT&T fiber packages in their area, they will definitely have to cope with the high prices from Spectrum.
Closely checking, it’s easy to notice that Spectrum price for the 100Mbps is closer to AT&T plan for 100Mbps Fiber plan. But as you get faster download speeds, the prices hike quickly over the AT&T prices. Comparing Spectrum Internet Gig Plan, you will realize that it’s one of the most expensive in the market. The spectrum high prices come with no contracts which means you can cancel any time of the month without having to pay an Early Termination Fees.
Spectrum Vs. AT&T: Internet speeds and features
These two companies offer Internet speeds from 100Mbps to 940 Mbps. But AT&T offers comparatively higher Upload speeds. They both present to you a couple of packages with different download and Upload speeds to choose from. The packages work for all types of users whether budgeters or heavy internet users. The Upload speeds for AT&T internet packages ranges from 100-880Mbps which is more than enough for Videoconferencing and Vmeo. Check the table below for comparisons.
| Provider | Download speeds | Upload speeds |
| Spectrum Internet | 100–400 Mbps | 10–20 Mbps |
| AT&T Fiber | 100–940 Mbps | 100–880 Mbps |
The Download speeds for Spectrum also ranges depending on the package you pick. As a matter of fact, the average speed is 400Mbps as shown in the table above. For AT&T, the speeds go as up as 940Mbps for the download speeds and 880Mbps for Upload speeds. Comparing the two ISPs on how they deliver the promised speeds, the two of them are a little lacking. Spectrum ranks on 14th position on the fastest Internet Providers in the country. AT&T was on position 15 for the fastest speeds. But this was done using the AT&T DSL internet. This shows that the AT&T fiber internet is very likely to do better.
Spectrum vs. AT&T: Contract, Equipment and Fees
Spectrum comes with no contract options. However, you will still have to pay for the Wi-Fi activation fees and the installation fees. I personally like the fact that AT&T offers no contract options especially for people that don’t want to be tied on long term commitment. This option is the best if you are renting in a certain city for a short time.
AT&T, on the other hand, requires everyone to sign a year contract for their fiber internet and Bundle packages. This is definitely not the best for people that are temporarily renting in a certain place. However, going for the contract option qualifies you for promotional prices.
In this category, Spectrum internet would win once more. The only issue I have with Spectrum is the additional fees and the confusing billing procedures.
Equipment
With spectrum, you will get a modem that is charged between $10 and $20 every month. But you can choose to bring your own modem and a router combo if you want more performance. With AT&T, you will get a Wi-Fi gateway Modem and router combo. This indicates that you will probably not need an extra router. The equipment will obviously attract $10 every month. I don’t like paying Rental fees but this is definitely the cheapest. Immediately after signing for the AT&T internet service, you will get the service delivered in your doorstep.
Service fees
Both AT&T and spectrum require every user to pay certain fees to get the service. The AT&T requires every user to pay a $35 activation fees for the people that prefer DIY installation. You can actually call a pro at only $99 for the installation. For the packages that don’t require any contract, you will probably not have to pay for the Early Activation fees.
The Pro installation service fee for the spectrum internet is very reasonable. This is if you are going for Spectrum Internet and Spectrum Internet Ultra Plans. For the Spectrum Internet Gig Plan, the installation fees can be higher and unreasonable. I also didn’t like a thing about the activation fees for the Spectrum Plans. You will only pay $49.99 for the installation fees for the first two Internet plans and $199 for the Gig Plan. The self-activation fees is $9.99 and Wi-Fi activation fees are $9.99. The installation fees and the installation fees for AT&T are more reasonable.
Spectrum vs. AT&T: Customer service
These two companies need to work on their customer services. AT&T’s Customer service scored 68/100 while the Spectrum Customer service scored 63/100 in the last years American Customer Satisfaction Index. The average in the industry is 65/100. But still, none of the two scores is the best. But it’s clear that AT&T has a relatively better customer service. It’s still important to point out that the 63/100 score for Spectrum is a huge improvement. The company previously had a score of 59/100. We hope that the company will keep improving on their customer service.
AT&T vs. Spectrum: Customer Satisfaction
Internet Service providers are not known for having the best scores when it comes to customer satisfaction. As clearly detailed by the American Customer service Index, ISPS are the poorest in making their customers happy.
A recent survey of about 43 industries which included the Internet industry and the Subscription TV services, ISPs such as Spectrum and AT&T are the worst of all the industries. The survey concluded that the average score for ISPs is 64% which is not a good score to be proud of. Being one of them, spectrum customers are not very happy with the service especially when it comes to delivering the promised speeds.
As seen on Highspeedinternet.com, most customers claim that the download and Upload speeds are great but the service is inconsistent. This means that there are constant outages. Another customer claims that the Internet download speeds and the service in general were subpar. The user had issues with connections despite the technicians coming constantly to deal with the issue.
The other complaint is poor customer service. Most users claim that they had some issues with the customer service. The team was not very knowledgeable with the issues at hand. One user claims that the customer service kept listing the user as seasonal and would transfer them to get the service going again. The user claims that the company screws up almost everything and she had to call multiple times for a problem that was never fixed.
Besides all the above negative reviews, there are a couple of positive reviews that I should also point out. Users did point out that Internet speeds for both upload and download were okay. A great number of users also confirm that the Spectrum prices compares greatly to the prices for AT&T and other companies. However, for those that have Bundled Internet service with Phone, there are chances that the phone can be unreliable. One user claims that sometimes the phone doesn’t work for outgoing calls.
Moving on to AT&T, you will notice that the company has a relatively higher percentage of satisfied customers. But still, there are a couple of negative reviews from current and previous users. One of the users and reviewer on Trustpilot.com claims that if he was able to leave a Zero for the service, it would be more fitting. The user complains that he logged on to check the bills online and found Phone numbers that are not his but he’s paying for them.
Getting to the chat forum with the customer service, no one would clearly explain what is going on. This means that the team is not very Knowledgeable and might not help you sort out the issue on time.
Most of the issues are complaints about customer service. Most of them say that Customer service is horrible and very unresponsive. One of them says that his internet service and Phone service has been discontinued twice and trying to reach the customer service to reactivate didn’t work. Another user claims that he has AT&T fiber being the only provider in the area but the AT&T router decides when it’s time to reset. This can happen when the user is at the middle of a Game or when streaming movies.
Based on the reviews available online for the two internet service providers, AT&T customers are the most unsatisfied. The company has countless negative reviews. The biggest challenge for AT&T is the Customer service. The company has the worst customer support which doesn’t have the knowledge and the ability to help in case of an issue with the service. In this category of Customer satisfaction, Spectrum Internet wins with a large margin.
Which is better: Spectrum or AT&T?
AT&T earns the crown for many reasons. The lower prices and the fiber availability are its main selling points. But when it comes to customer satisfaction, speeds and availability, spectrum will beat AT&T internet. AT&T is cheaper and more affordable but this will only work for you if you live in places where fiber internet is available. In terms of the speeds, the two companies’ offers download speeds of up to 940Mbps. But when it comes to upload speeds, AT&T offers up to 880Mbps. For Customer service, AT&T ranks better than Spectrum, though spectrum has improved over time. On the face of it, AT&T wins the battle.
FAQs
Is Spectrum or AT&T internet better?
Spectrum Internet is typically better in places where Spectrum Internet and AT&T’s DSL internet are available. But if AT&T Fiber internet is available, it’s basically better and faster. The costs might vary between AT&T and Spectrum Internet packages.
What’s the difference between spectrum and AT&T?
These two Internet Service providers are the biggest in the country. The main difference is the level of commitment that is required. You will be required to sign a 12 month contract with AT&T which is not the case with Spectrum Internet. If you want to avoid contracts, then you might have to choose Spectrum Internet.
Is Spectrum a good Internet provider?
Spectrum is one of the best ISPs in the country. The Spectrum speeds and stability are the main selling points. According to the information available on FCC’s Annual report, Spectrum Internet offers faster Download and Upload speeds when compared to Cox, Comcast and few other ISPs.
Who has the best Home Internet service?
Xfinity has the best Home Internet service but the prices are relatively higher. Other ISPs such as Xfinity, Spectrum, Verizon and AT&T also have some good services. However, the prices might vary from one provider to the other.
Is Spectrum cheaper than AT&T?
AT&T speeds might not match the speeds from Spectrum DSL but the prices vary significantly. Spectrum has the cheapest packages. However, this is only the case is you’re in an area where AT&T fiber is available. If Spectrum DSL and AT&T are available, you might have to go with spectrum because it doesn’t require you to sign any contracts.
Final verdict
Finding a good internet provider especially if you live in rural areas can be challenging. After AT&T discontinued their DSL service, the company has faced a serious challenge in terms of availability. However, if the company offers services in your area, it will definitely be the best option. If AT&T fiber internet is not available in your area, you will definitely have to consider Spectrum and other alternatives. But based on the information shared above, AT&T has better services and a good price for all the packages. If you are a user that heavily relies on Upload speeds for your work, 880Mbps Upload speed from AT&T gigabit plan is the best option.
