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AT&T Internet 25 Plan Review

AT&T 25 Mbps Plan
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$55.00/mo

+ taxes. (with AutoPay & Paperless Bill)

4.5/5

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(877) 675-5469

A lot can be done with AT&T Internet 25 when the strategy is to survive. 

The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Eighth Broadband Progress Report states that nearly 19 million Americans do not have access to a fixed broadband service with minimum threshold speeds of 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up. Their survival in today’s digital world is becoming increasingly impossible with “breadcrumbs of internet speeds” that fall below FCC’s qualifying criteria for broadband service. They are not asking for much. Just something to help them get by, and stay informed, entertained, and connected without breaking the bank.

In such dire circumstances, the AT&T Internet 25 plan is saving the day. Continue reading about this basic broadband plan to see how it is making survival possible for millions of Americans in the Age of Connectivity.  

Table of Contents

AT&T Internet 25 At a Glance

AT&T Internet 25 is one of the low-tier plans in the AT&T broadband product portfolio. With a download speed of 25 Mbps and an upload speed of 5 Mbps, this plan offers basic connectivity in the rural and suburban parts of the USA. Areas that are yet to be connected to an ultrafast fiber-optic internet network but already have a well-constructed copper cable transmission system for telephone lines to individual homes prove to be the best runway for this 25 Mbps AT&T internet plan. Let us explain why. 

AT&T uses internet protocol broadband (IPBB) to deliver internet speeds faster than a DSL connection in fiber-deprived areas across its 21-state footprint. The hybrid fiber-copper cable distribution model is also known as ADSL+ and VDSL2. In every way, the upload and download speeds on the IPBB network are faster than what you would typically get on AT&T’s DSL lines (download speed tops out at 6 Mbps, and the upload speed is restricted to 0.5 Mbps). 

AT&T Internet 25 plan costs $55 per month for the first 12 months. The plan includes a data cap of 1 terabyte (1000 GB), a compatible WiFi gateway, and AT&T-powered ActiveArmor internet security software for 3 primary devices. The $55 monthly charge is inclusive of AutoPay and paperless billing discounts. Moreover, customers can avoid the hassle of paying exorbitant early termination fees because annual contracts are not needed for subscribing to this plan.

AT&T Internet 25 plan is faster than DSL connections, cheaper than satellite and fixed wireless broadband services, and more readily accessible than cable and fiber-optic internet. So simply put, it is the best bet for low-to-moderate internet usage in rural areas at the most affordable rates.  

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 Pros

  • Free access to over 30,000 WiFi hotspots across the country. 
  • Transmitted over a hybrid fiber-copper cable system.  
  • A cutting-edge WiFi gateway is included in the price.
  • Free AT&T ActiveArmor internet security on 3 devices. 
  • Wide-scale availability in 21 states.
  • 99.9% network reliability. 
  • No-contract service.


 Cons

  • Upload speed is limited to 5 Mbps.
  • Data cap of 1 terabyte (TB).
  • Second-year price hike.

AT&T Internet 25 Plan

Overview of AT&T Internet 25 Plan 
Connection Type  Internet protocol broadband (IPBB)
Promo Price $55 per month (with AutoPay & paperless billing)
Regular Price  $65 per month (with AutoPay & paperless billing)
Download Speed  25 Mbps 
Upload Speed  5 Mbps 
Availability  21 states 
Contract  Not required 
Data Cap  1 TB 
Installation Fee  A free self-installation kit is provided 
Equipment Fee  Included in the price 
No. of Connected Devices  3 to 4
Perks  ActiveArmor cybersecurity & Free WiFi hotspots
Customer Rating  4.3 out of 5 stars
Best For  Multi-device streaming, online gaming, and file sharing.

Internet Speed

As the name suggests, AT&T Internet 25 plan delivers a download speed of up to 25 Mbps. Its partial service transmission via copper cabling results in asymmetrical speeds. So, unlike the AT&T Fiber internet plans, where the upload and download speeds are the same, the upload speed on AT&T 25 plan is restricted to 5 Mbps. According to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) guidelines, these speeds are the bare minimum for an internet connection to qualify as “broadband”. While these speeds are inadequate for multi-device HD streaming, competitive gaming, and large file sharing, they are good to get the work done. 

Look at the list below to see some of the things that you can do with your 25 Mbps of download speed and upload speed of 5 Mbps.

Online Activity  Average Speed Requirement 
Stream Netflix in HD (780p) 3 Mbps 
Stream Netflix in full HD (1080p) 5 Mbps 
Stream Netflix in ultra-HD (4K) 15 Mbps 
Attending a Zoom meeting  3 Mbps 
Downloading an online game (1 GB file size) 5 Mbps 
Playing an online game  10 Mbps 
Listening to music on Spotify 0.6 Mbps 
Surfing image-filled web pages (30 photos) 15 Mbps 
Browsing social media platforms  10 Mbps 
Uploading images on the web (max 50 MB file size) 5 Mbps 

AT&T Internet 25’s moderate speeds can support simultaneous online activity on up to 4 devices. So, if you are a couple or a family of 4 living on the outskirts of the city, then this 25 Mbps plan can connect you to the digital public sphere.

Price 

The monthly internet fee of the AT&T Internet 25 plan is $55 after the $5 discount that customers receive for using AutoPay and paperless billing methods. This is the promo price for the first 12 months of service. In the second year, the price increases to $65 per month, or $70 if you decide to make a one-off payment every month and request a printed bill at your address. 

On the surface, the regular $65 charge for threshold broadband speeds seems outrageous compared to the market rates. But when you dive deep and uncover the value that this price tag offers, you will most likely agree with us that AT&T Internet 25 plan is reasonably priced. 

The primary competitors of AT&T Internet 25 service in rural and remote areas of the country are DSL, fixed wireless, and satellite internet plans. The average price of these types of internet services is between $50 and $70 per month. The irony is that even with such expensive service charges, these three types of internet connections cannot offer unlimited data or faster speeds. So, in reality, you pay a high cost for low-performing broadband plans. Contrary to that, AT&T Internet 25 plan offers the best value for the money thanks to its stable speeds, 99.9 percent network uptime, and 1 TB data cap. 

Data Caps

The AT&T Internet 25 plan has a 1 TB data cap instead of the unlimited data that is customary of the AT&T Fiber Internet plans. 1 terabyte is equal to 1000 gigabytes (GB) of internet data every month. Customers who are used to unlimited data plans may initially feel like their internet access is somewhat restricted with a 1 TB data cap, but in reality, average American internet users only consume up to 600 GB of data per month. That gives AT&T Internet 25 subscribers another 400 GB of data to spare. Within this 1 TB monthly data allowance, AT&T Internet 25 customers can stream HD-quality videos day and night, download heavy files, listen to music, play online games, and even attend daily Zoom meetings. 

Here is an exhaustive list of all the online activities that you can perform with AT&T Internet 25’s 1 TB monthly data limit. 

  • Surf the internet for 2,000 hours.
  • Stream music for 8,500 hours.
  • Stream high-definition videos for 350 hours. 
  • Play online games for 16,500 hours. 
  • Send and receive 40,000 emails. 
  • Upload 5,600 social media posts with images.

 

For clarity, look at this hours-per-day breakdown for your 1 TB data usage. 

Online Activity  Hours Per Day 
Streaming videos in standard definition (480p)  48
Streaming videos in high definition (1080p) 11
Streaming videos in ultra-high definition (2160p) 5
Online gaming  333
Streaming music  222
Social media browsing  111
General web surfing  667

And if, even after all this headroom, you get the notification that you have exceeded your monthly data cap of 1 TB, then there is no need to panic because AT&T will automatically top up another 50 GB of data to your plan for a small extra fee of $10. In some locations, AT&T Internet 25 subscribers also have the option to purchase unlimited data for an additional $30 per month. It is best to call the AT&T customer service center and check whether or not that offer is available in your zip code.

Contract

AT&T’s customer-centric approach to business is evident by its no-annual contract policy. Usually, internet service providers (ISPs) bind customers to annoying annual terms agreements when they have failed to establish trust and a strong sense of loyalty in their customers. They fear that despite heavy investments, their customers might switch to better performers in the broadband industry as soon as they get the chance. Their apprehension leads some ISPs to offer only contract-based services, while others show flexibility and set aside promo deals, discounts, and freebies for only those customers who agree to sign an annual contract. 

AT&T is an exceptional case. For starters, IT IS the nation’s best-performing internet provider. Moreover, being the oldest and largest telecommunications company in the USA, with a strong global presence, it does not need annual term agreements to retain customers. They stay for the value offered to them. So, in short, AT&T Internet 25 customers can rest assured that they will not be required to sign annual or biennial contracts. They can cancel the service if they are not happy with the second-year price hikes, or upgrade to faster speeds anytime without paying an early termination fee.

Perks

AT&T Internet 25’s $55 price tag includes a free self-installation kit containing an advanced modem-router gateway. The monthly rental for the gateway is included in the fee. Apart from the free equipment, customers get free and unlimited access to over 30,000 WiFi hotspots that AT&T has installed throughout the country. To enjoy internet connectivity on the go:

  • Switch on your device’s WiFi.
  • Search for “att-wifi” in the list of available networks. 
  • Connect to the network and wait for the prompt. 
  • Enter your AT&T username and password in the pop-up browser to complete the sign-in. 

 

Note: AT&T’s free WiFi hotspots are located in most public spaces, like airports, parks, restaurants, and coffee shops across the country.  

AT&T Internet 25 plan comes with free cybersecurity software. You can activate the AT&T ActiveArmor security suite on your 3 most used devices to protect yourself from data breaches, viruses, and scams. 

Additional Costs 

Through its long list of exciting perks and fee waivers, the AT&T Internet 25 plan keeps the additional costs significantly low. For example, instead of opting for a professional installation with an upfront one-time expense of $99, you can order a free self-installation kit and set up your internet connection within minutes. Similarly, you can enroll for the AutoPay and paperless billing methods to avail of a $5 discount every month. We agree that some add-on costs, like the second-year price increase and taxes, are unavoidable, but ultimately your vigilance will determine what you pay at the end of each month. 

Refer to the table below to get a breakdown of extra charges associated with this 25 Mbps AT&T internet plan.

Service  Additional Fee 
Price increase after 12 months  $10.00 per month 
Professional installation fee  $99.00 (one-time)
Late payment fee  $9.99 per month 
Data overage fee  $10.00 for every 50 GB of data 
Equipment non-return fee  $150.00 (one-time)
Bill reprint fee  $5.00 per month 
Taxes  Up to $10.00
*The exact amount for taxes on your AT&T Internet 25 plan will vary by location.

AT&T Internet 25 Coverage

AT&T Internet 25 is available in most residential communities within AT&T’s 21-state service area. Recent survey results reveal that AT&T’s IPBB service can be accessed in 94.64 percent of the total land area of the following 21 states. Compared to that, AT&T Fiber internet plans are only available in 36.91 percent of the coverage area.

All States with AT&T 25 Plan Availability
Alabama  Illinois  Michigan  Ohio 
Arkansas  Indiana Mississippi  Oklahoma 
California  Kansas  Missouri  South Carolina 
Florida  Kentucky  Nevada Tennessee 
Georgia  Louisiana  North Carolina  Texas 
Wisconsin 

Statewide Availability of AT&T Internet 25

Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi are the 5 best states for subscribing to an AT&T Internet 25 plan. The coverage area of AT&T Internet in these 5 states is more than 75 percent.  

State  Coverage Area 
Alabama  67.00%
Arkansas  57.77%
California  71.81%
Florida  53.81%
Georgia  76.16%
Illinois  78.30%
Indiana  54.02%
Kansas  75.23%
Kentucky 48.01%
Louisiana  80.29%
Michigan  74.82%
Mississippi  82.02%
Missouri  62.74%
Nevada  19.56%
North Carolina  47.24%
Ohio  51.51%
Oklahoma  67.07%
South Carolina  56.79%
Tennessee  71.64%
Texas  69.83%
Wisconsin  56.93%

Conclusion

Down low! Too slow!

That’s right. AT&T Internet 25 plan is far too slow for those living downtown. Its meager 25 Mbps speed on the downstream channel and an upload speed that tops out at 5 Mbps cannot support the heavy-duty online activities of city dwellers. They need a hyperfast internet connection to sustain their fast-paced life. But for country folks still waiting for reliable internet infrastructure in their area, AT&T 25 is a saving grace. It offers basic digital connectivity for a starting price of $55 per month and is fast enough to handle audio-video streaming, online gaming, web browsing, and file sharing on four devices.

FAQs

AT&T Internet 25 plan is good for casual online gaming. The download speed of 25 Mbps is fast enough for loading high-resolution graphics, but the upload speed of 5 Mbps can limit gamers’ interactive and live-streaming capabilities. Therefore, the 25 Mbps plan is unsuitable for pro-level online gaming or Twitch streaming. 

AT&T Internet 25 is an internet protocol broadband plan that uses a combination of fiber-optic and copper hybrid equipment to deliver up to 25 Mbps of download speeds throughout AT&T’s 21-state coverage area. It is the fastest and most reliable option for basic internet connectivity in fiber-deprived areas. The plan includes a high data cap of 1 terabyte and no-contract service.

As the name suggests, the AT&T Internet 25 plan can deliver a download speed of up to 25 Mbps. Its upload speed tops out at 5 Mbps.

The AT&T Internet 25 plan uses a combination of fiber-optic and copper cables to transmit download speeds of up to 25 Mbps to customers’ homes. Data signals travel inside a fiber-optic cable in the initial stages of their journey. But as AT&T has less than 500,000 route miles of fiber network across the USA, the remaining distance is covered through existing copper cable lines that reach individual homes.

AT&T Internet 25 plan comes with a data cap of 1 TB which is sufficient for completing data-intensive tasks throughout the month. Customers can purchase more data in the same billing cycle in 50 GB blocks for a small additional fee of $10. Or, they can upgrade to an AT&T Fiber Internet plan for unlimited monthly data. 

Subscribers of the AT&T Internet 25 plan get a free company-approved WiFi gateway that doubles as a modem and router. The most common models provided by AT&T are Arris-made NVG599 and NVG589, BGW320 (manufactured by NBS), BGW210 (by Generic), and Pace 5268. These gateways are compatible with the AT&T IPBB connection and can optimize the network speeds to 99.9 percent reliability. You can visit this link to see the complete list of AT&T-approved WiFi gateways.

AT&T Internet 25 uses a semi-fiber-optic transmission system to distribute consistently-fast internet over long distances. The hybrid fiber-copper cable network delivers asymmetrical internet speeds. The download speed of  this plan can be as fast as 25 Mbps, but the upload speed is limited to 5 Mbps.

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