AT&T Internet 100 Review - Plan, Pricing & More

AT&T Internet 100 Plan
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$55.00/mo

+ taxes. (with AutoPay & Paperless Bill)

4.5/5

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(877) 675-5469

In the tangled world of wired broadband, only one thing differentiates the best from the rest. The maximum internet speed. There are close to 2,188 wired internet service providers in the USA but only 55 percent can live up to their gigabit and multigigabit capabilities. And while 10 Gbps internet speeds are the fastest that one can get for a home internet connection, its availability falters behind at less than 1 percent. 

AT&T Fiber is the nation’s top-ranking internet provider. It can offer up to 5 Gbps of internet speeds with unlimited data and contract-free service. But what if you live in a fiber-deprived area, do not need 5 Gigs for your single-family home, and can definitely not afford to pay $180 per month? 

Well, in that case, start your speedometer and join us as we explore AT&T’s 100 Mbps internet plan in our AT&T Internet 100 Review. Its dual cable technology and reasonable prices make it an ideal home internet plan for small families with average broadband usage. 

Table of Contents

What is AT&T Internet 100?

AT&T Internet 100 Plan- At A Glance 
Promo Price  $55/mo. (with AutoPay and paperless billing)
Regular Price  $65/mo. (with AutoPay and paperless billing)
Availability  23 states of the USA
Download Speed  100 Mbps 
Upload Speed  20 Mbps
Data Cap  Unlimited data 
Contract  Not required 
Installation Fee  $99.00 (a one-time charge for expert installation)
Equipment Fee  Included 
Perks  Smart Home Manager App. Nationwide WiFi Hotspots 
No. of Connected Devices Up to 10 
Best For  TV streaming, casual gaming, & social media browsing. 

AT&T Internet 100 is a high-speed residential internet service available to more than 53 million households across 23 states of the USA. The 100 Mbps download speed is distributed over a hybrid fiber-copper network, commonly known as AT&T Internet Protocol Broadband (IPBB) service. Unlike the AT&T Fiber Internet plans, AT&T Internet 100 plan offers asymmetrical speeds. The upload speed is limited to 20 Mbps, which is still 5 times faster than the national average of 4 Mbps. 

The introductory price of the AT&T Internet 100 plan is $55 per month. The promo price is valid for the first 12 months of service and includes benefits, like free installation, equipment rental, internet security suite, access to the Smart Home Manager app, and over 30,000 roadside WiFi hotspots. AT&T’s 100 Mbps plan supports simultaneous connectivity on 10 separate devices. 

The 100-megabit plan is best for small families with basic to moderate internet usage. You can use the fast internet speeds and unlimited data allowance of the AT&T Internet 100 plan for non-stop streaming, casual gaming, and heavy file sharing.

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 Pros:

AT&T Internet 100 plan comes with the following benefits:

  • A reliable Internet protocol broadband (IPBB) network 
  • Equipment rental is included in the price 
  • Fast download speed up to 100 Mbps 
  • 24/7 award-winning customer service 
  • 24/7 award-winning customer service 
  • 99.9 percent network uptime 
  • Wide availability in 23 states 
  • No annual contracts 
  • No data caps 
  • Exciting perks


 Cons:

AT&T Internet 100 plan has just one drawback. It cannot offer the same affordability as promised by its competitors. 

  • More expensive than competing plans 
  • Price hike after 12 months of service

How Fast is AT&T Internet 100?

Subscribers of the AT&T Internet 100 plan receive up to 100 Mbps of download speed and up to 20 Mbps of upload speed. By US standards, these download and upload speeds are fast for a residential internet connection. With a 100-megabit download speed, you can stream movies and shows in high-definition (HD) and ultra high-definition (4K). A download speed of 100 Mbps is also considered a good speed for online gaming, social media browsing, music streaming, and remote working or learning. According to Forbes Home magazine, a 100 Mbps internet connection is fast enough for a multi-user household. To give you a little perspective, here is what you can do with your AT&T Internet 100 plan.

Online Activity  Time Taken 
Downloading a 50 KB PDF file  Less than 1 second 
Downloading a 2.6 MB e-Book  Less than 1 second 
Downloading a 2 GB HD video file  2.7 minutes 
Downloading a 20 GB file  26 minutes 
Downloading a 30 GB video game  40 minutes 
Backing up 256 GB of iPhone data  5.7 hours 
Creating 1 TB of cloud backup  22 hours 

Most online game manufacturers recommend a download speed of 25 Mbps and higher and an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps for a smooth gaming experience. A lag-free gameplay depends on the ping rate, also known as latency. The lower the latency, the better the gameplay. Fortunately, the download speed of the AT&T Internet 100 plan is 4 times faster than the recommended download speed. Similarly, its upload speed is 6.67 times faster than the suggested upload speed for glitch-free online gaming. So, the fast internet speeds and a latency of 24 milliseconds make the AT&T 100 Mbps plan ideal for casual competitive gaming. 

The internet speeds of the AT&T Internet 100 plan will be a delight for binge watchers. Online streaming platforms like Netflix state that you should have at least 5 Mbps of download speed to view a video in HD quality. For UHD quality videos, users are recommended 15 Mbps of download speed. 

Number crunching leads us to the results that subscribers of the AT&T Internet 100 plan can watch Netflix content in HD quality on 20 devices at once (100 Mbps divided by 5 Mbps needed for streaming HD quality), and if they were to watch the same content in ultra-high-definition, then it would be possible to stream the content simultaneously on 6 separate devices (100 Mbps divided by 15 Mbps required for streaming in UHD quality). 

Now let’s compare the speeds of AT&T Internet 100 with other speed tiers available in the IPBB portfolio. 

AT&T Internet 100 vs. AT&T IPBB Plans 

The download speed of the AT&T Internet 100 plan is 4 times faster than the lowest speed tier available in the AT&T IPBB range. However, AT&T Internet 500 plan’s download and upload speeds are 5 times faster than the 100-megabit plan. 

Plan  Price  Download Speed  Upload Speed 
Internet 25 $55.00/mo. 25 Mbps  5 Mbps 
Internet 50  $55.00/mo. 50 Mbps  10 Mbps 
Internet 75  $55.00/mo. 75 Mbps  20 Mbps 
Internet 100  $55.00/mo. 100 Mbps  20 Mbps 
Internet 500  $55.00/mo. 500 Mbps  100 Mbps 

AT&T Internet 100 vs. AT&T Fiber Internet Plans 

The asymmetrical upload and download speeds of AT&T Internet 100 are adequate for most online activities but cannot match the superior swiftness guaranteed by the symmetrical speeds of AT&T Fiber Internet plans. AT&T Internet 5000’s download speed is 50 times faster than the 100 Mbps plan, and the upload speed is an astronomical 250 times faster.

Plan  Price  Download Speed  Upload Speed 
Internet 100  $55.00/mo. 100 Mbps  20 Mbps 
Internet 300  $55.00/mo.  300 Mbps  300 Mbps 
Internet 500  $65.00/mo.  500 Mbps  500 Mbps 
Internet 1000  $80.00/mo.  1000 Mbps  1000 Mbps 
Internet 2000  $110.00/mo.  2000 Mbps  2000 Mbps 
Internet 5000  $180.00/mo.  5000 Mbps  5000 Mbps 

AT&T Internet 100 Installation

There are two installation options for AT&T Internet 100 plan. Depending on your preference, you can request an expert installation at home or order a free starter kit to self-install your 100-megabit internet service. 

AT&T charges $99 for professional installation. A technician is sent to your home with the necessary equipment, and within 2 to 4 hours, your hybrid-copper internet is up and running for use. Large homes may need additional WiFi extenders for whole-home wireless coverage. If that is the case, then please order the WiFi extenders while setting an appointment for on-site professional installation. WiFi extenders cost an extra $10 per month (for up to 5 extenders). 

If you are up for a simple Do-it-Yourself (DIY) project, then you can order the AT&T self-installation kit upon enrolment. The starter kit will be shipped to your address within 5 to 7 business days. AT&T does not charge its customers for the kit, but depending on your location, you may be required to cover the shipping fees. The starter kit contains a compatible modem-router gateway, Ethernet cables, an instructional manual, and WiFi extenders (if you ordered any). You simply have to follow the step-by-step guideline stated in the manual to set up your equipment and activate the AT&T 100 Mbps service. In case, you hit a hurdle during the self-installation process, do not panic and call the AT&T round-the-clock tech support team for assistance. 

Perks of AT&T 100 Mbps Plan 

Apart from the fast speeds, unlimited data, free installation, and no-contract service, there are some additional benefits that you can avail of once you subscribe to the AT&T Internet 100 plan. 

Free Smart Home Manager App 

As an AT&T Internet 100 customer, you will be granted free and complete access to the Smart Home Manager app. You can download the app and effortlessly manage your home network and all the connected devices. For example, say that you have left your children at home alone and are worried they will play online games past their bedtime. Using the Smart Home Manager app, you can remotely disconnect their devices from the WiFi network with a single tap on your mobile device and limit their screen time. 

AT&T Smart Home Manager app allows you to:

  • Control user access
  • Track the data usage for each device 
  • Invite guests on the home network via a text or email
  • Test your internet speed

 

Free AT&T Internet Security Suite 

AT&T ActiveArmor is a 360 security suite that protects your online identity and devices from malicious cyber activities. If bought separately, an AT&T ActiveArmor subscription costs $7 per month, but AT&T Internet 100 plan customers will enjoy all the advanced security features free of charge. AT&T’s high-tech internet security features include;

  • ID monitoring – protection against identity theft
  • Advanced content controls – protection against online scams 
  • Threat activity dashboard – protection against hacks 
  • VPN at home – protection against data breaches 

 

With the AT&T ActiveArmor cybersecurity software, you can protect your devices and home network against threats in real-time. 

Free Access to AT&T WiFi Hotspots 

AT&T has installed over 30,000 WiFi hotspots throughout the country. All users of the AT&T Internet 100 plan get free and unlimited access to these out-of-home WiFi hotspots while on the road. They can connect to their nearest AT&T WiFi hotspot using their AT&T account details (username and password) and conserve their mobile data as they surf, chat, stream, play, and call on the go. 

Here is how you can connect to the AT&T WiFi Hotspots:

  • Turn on your device’s WiFi. 
  • Search for a wireless network named ‘attwifi’ at a coffee shop, airport, restaurant, subway station, trailer park, or mall.
  • Connect to ‘attwifi’.
  • Wait for the web browser prompt to sign in. 
  • Sign in to the network by entering your AT&T username and password.
  • Click ‘Connect’ to enjoy free and unlimited high-speed internet access outside your home. 

 

Data Caps on AT&T Internet 100 

Data caps can be a nuisance even on multigigabit internet plans. Let us explain why. 

Data caps are the maximum amount of data you can consume within a month. Depending on the type of internet technology and the speed tier you have subscribed to, the data cap can vary between 10 GB and 1 TB. As a general rule of thumb, satellite internet plans and fixed wireless internet connections (5G home internet service) have a monthly data limit. Whereas, most DSL, cable, and fiber-optic internet plans offer unlimited data throughout the month. 

Having unlimited data allows you to perform all sorts of data-intensive activities, like downloading large files, playing graphically demanding online games, live-streaming HD content, and attending several virtual meetings. It must be noted that every online activity consumes data, and an average American uses 600 MB of data in an hour. 

So, based on those numbers, the monthly data consumption of a medium-sized household is between 600 GB and 1000 GB. This can turn into a recurring overhead expense if you are enrolled in an internet plan with fixed monthly data. Providers that impose data caps can charge up to $10 each month for every 50 GB of excess data used in the same billing cycle.

AT&T Internet 100 plan does not come with data caps. Therefore, you do not have to worry about tracking your data usage or paying data overage charges.

Additional Costs

The monthly fee of AT&T Internet 100 service includes equipment rental and self-installation charges. And while AT&T may help you cut down costs through its freebies, like the free cybersecurity service, smart home management app, and out-of-home WiFi access, there are some one-off and recurring expenses that you must bear on top of your monthly internet fee. 

We have listed all the additional costs associated with your AT&T Internet 100 plan in the table below. 

Extra Services  Additional Costs
Expert Installation  $99.00 (one-time charge)
Bill Printing Fee  $5.00 per month
Late Payment Fee  $9.99 per month 
Equipment Non-Return Fee  $150.00 (one-time charge)
Taxes and Surcharges  Up to $10.00 per month

Note: Upon service cancellation, leased equipment must be returned to AT&T within 15 business days. Failing to do so will result in a fine of $150 per device. The exact amount of taxes and surcharges will vary from state to state. Residents of Texas, Ohio, and Nevada are required to pay a monthly State Cost Recovery charge which will be mentioned on their bills as a ‘surcharge’. 

You can avoid most of these add-on fees by staying on top of your digital bill payments, switching to do-it-yourself (DIY) installation, and shipping the WiFi Gateway back to AT&T as soon as you cancel the service.  

AT&T Internet 100 Price After 12 Months

Unlike the AT&T Fiber internet plans, the price of AT&T IPBB service increases after 12 months. Customers of AT&T Internet 100 service experience a second-year price hike of up to 18 percent. The promo price of the AT&T Internet 100 plan jacks up by $10 and customers are required to pay a regular price of $65 per month. Subscribers who prefer to receive a printed copy of their internet bills and make manual payments every month pay an extra $5 each month for the additional services.

So, to simplify, the regular price of the AT&T Internet 100 plan after 12 months is $65 with the Autopay and paperless billing discounts and $70 per month without the discounts.  

AT&T Internet 100 Availability Review

AT&T’s hybrid copper-fiber internet service is available in all 23 states where AT&T provides broadband access. AT&T’s Internet 100 plan can reach more than 120 million people living in the Southwest, Southeast, Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The following are the 23 states where the AT&T Internet 100 plan is available for a starting price of $55 each month. 

All the States Where AT&T Internet 100 Plan is Available 
Alabama  Illinois  Missouri  Pennsylvania 
Arkansas  Indiana  Mississippi  South Carolina 
Arizona  Kansas  North Carolina  Tennessee 
California  Kentucky  Nevada  Texas 
Florida  Louisiana Ohio  Wisconsin 
Georgia  Michigan  Oklahoma 

Note: AT&T Internet has recently extended its broadband service to Arizona and Pennsylvania. Therefore, availability may be spotty within the states. Please call to check the availability of the AT&T Internet 100 plan in your zip code. 

AT&T 100 Mbps Plan vs Competitors

100 megabit per second download speed is one of the most common internet speed tiers in the country. Almost all types of internet service providers, ranging from satellite to fixed wireless, and from DSL to fiber-optic network carriers, can deliver download speeds up to 100 Mbps. For this very reason, the moderately fast AT&T Internet 100 service has many competitors, which are listed in the table below. 

Providers  Price  Speed  Availability  Rating 
AT&T $55.00/mo. 100 Mbps  23 states  4.5 /5 stars 
EarthLink $59.95/mo.  100 Mbps  50 states  4.3 /5 stars 
CenturyLink $50.00/mo.  100 Mbps  36 states  3.4 /5 stars 
Kinetic $39.99/mo.  100 Mbps  18 states  3.2 /5 stars 
Metronet $39.95/mo.  100 Mbps  9 states  3.9 /5 stars 
Ziply $50.00/mo.  100 Mbps  4 states  4.1 /5 stars 
Consolidated Communications $25.00/mo.  100 Mbps 22 states  3.8 /5 stars 

Even though AT&T’s Internet 100 plan is more expensive than the 100 megabit plans offered by its competitors, its wide-scale availability, award-winning customer service, and a long list of added benefits make it a top performer in customer ratings. 

Conclusion

AT&T Internet 100 is a moderately-fast broadband plan that offers a download speed of up to 100 Mbps and an upload speed of up to 20 Mbps for a starting price of $55 per month. The data signals are transmitted over a hybrid fiber-copper cable system to ensure consistently fast internet speeds over long distances. The AT&T Internet 100 plan is available to over 120 million Americans in 23 states. The service includes a long list of benefits like unlimited data, free equipment, self-installation, no annual contracts, and access to cybersecurity, the Smart Home Management app, and out-of-home WiFi hotspots. 

We hope that after reading our AT&T Internet 100 Review, you will select the best broadband speed for your home. 

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