The Hidden Costs of AT&T Internet

We've dug through the fine print to find hidden fees on your AT&T internet plan.

Editorial rating (4.1/5)

Price: $55.00–$180.00/mo.
Download speeds: Up to 75–5,000 Mbps
Data caps: 1 TB–unlimited

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Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Plus taxes. Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies.

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AT&T’s internet plans come with straightforward prices that don’t raise after a promotional period. Plus, the price already includes your equipment rental, which is a fee most providers hide.

But there are a few more charges like unlimited data on DSL-hybrid plans, late fees, and installation fees to look out for. Let’s dive in.

AT&T pros and cons

Pros

  • Straight-forward pricing
  • Included equipment
  • No contracts
  • No charge for self-installation

Cons

  • $99.00 fee for professional installation
  • Data caps on DSL-hybrid plans

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AT&T deals and promotions

AT&T offers some sweet deals when you sign up. Past offers have included Visa® Reward Cards and an HBO Max subscription. To see the current offers, head over to our AT&T deals page, or check out this month’s picks for best internet promotions.

AT&T internet plans and prices

Package name Price* Download speeds up to Connection type Details
Internet 100 $55.00/mo. 100 Mbps DSL-hybrid View Plan
Internet 300 $55.00/mo. 300 Mbps Fiber View Plan
Internet 500 $65.00/mo. 500 Mbps Fiber View Plan
1 Gig Internet $80.00/mo. 1,000 Mbps Fiber View Plan
2 Gig Internet $110.00/mo. 2,000 Mbps Fiber View Plan
5 Gig Internet $180.00/mo. 5,000 Mbps Fiber View Plan

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Plus taxes. Price after $5/mo Autopay & Paperless bill discount (w/in 2 bills). Monthly State Cost Recovery Charge in TX, OH, NV applies.

AT&T’s internet plans don’t use promotional pricing, so you don’t have to worry about the prices going up after the first or second year. AT&T prices are still subject to change occasionally, though, so don’t expect to pay these same prices for your entire lifetime.

Also, since AT&T’s internet plans don’t require an annual contract, you won’t have to worry about paying an early termination fee if you have to move or want to switch providers. That flexibility is a big plus when you don’t want to make a long-term commitment.

Hidden costs of AT&T internet plans

Fee Amount
Taxes Vary by area
Self-installation fee Included
Technician installation fee $99.00
Wi-Fi gateway fee Included
Wi-Fi extender fee $10.00/mo.
Non-return equipment fee for AT&T Gateway $150.00
Non-return equipment fee for Wi-Fi extenders $65.00 per device
Data overage on select plans $10.00 per 50 GB data (up to $100.00/mo.)
Unlimited data for select plans $30.00/mo.
Late payment fee Up to $9.99
Nonsufficient funds fee Up to $30.00 per check
Payment convenience fee Up to $5.00 per payment

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.

AT&T hidden costs tend to fall into three categories: installation, equipment, data fees, and billing fees. Most of these fees can be avoided if you’re careful to return equipment after you end your AT&T service, stay within data limits, and pay your AT&T bill on time.

AT&T installation fee: free self-install, $99 for professional installation

Fee Amount
Self-installation fee Included
Technician installation fee $99.00

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.

Most of the time, it’s a snap to install your AT&T internet. AT&T doesn’t charge you for installation if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and DIY it.

But if you end up needing help from a professional, you’ll have to pay $99 for AT&T’s technician to come out and help.

AT&T equipment fees: Wi-Fi gateway included, Wi-Fi extenders $10/mo.

Fee Amount
Wi-Fi gateway fee Included
Wi-Fi extender fee $10.00/mo.
Non-return equipment fee for AT&T Gateway $150.00
Non-return equipment fee for Wi-Fi extenders $65.00 per device

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.

Your AT&T internet requires an AT&T Wi-Fi gateway to connect your home to the internet and set up a wireless network. We’re impressed that AT&T has included the equipment in its normal monthly price—most other providers slap on an extra fee (as much as $14 per month).

If your home is especially large or prone to Wi-Fi dead spots, consider AT&T’s Wi-Fi extenders. Each device adds a $10 a month rental fee to your bill, but even one will increase your Wi-Fi coverage by 1,000 square feet.

And when you eventually leave AT&T service, make sure to return your devices to avoid those hefty non-return fees.

AT&T data overage fee: $10 per 50 GB data

Fee Amount
Data overage on select plans $10.00 per 50 GB data (up to $100.00/mo.)
Unlimited data for select plans $30.00/mo.

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.

Many AT&T plans come with unlimited data, but there are a few plans on AT&T’s DSL-hybrid network that have 1 TB data caps. If your plan has up to only 75 Mbps or less, you probably have this restriction.

If you go over your data cap, you’ll have to pay $10 for every additional block of 50 GB data you use. So, if you use 51 GB over your data cap, that’s $20. Yikes! At least the highest amount AT&T can charge you in overage fees is $100 per month.

To avoid these charges, you can pay an extra $30 per month up front for unlimited data. But most people won’t go over 1 TB—we can help you check the math if you’re worried.

AT&T late fee: up to $9.99

Fee Amount
Late payment fee Up to $9.99
Nonsufficient funds fee Up to $30.00 per check
Payment convenience fee Up to $5.00 per payment

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.

AT&T charges up to $9.99 for late payments. And if you pay by check and the check bounces, you may have to pay up to $30. Want to call in and pay over the phone? Expect to pay a $5 fee each time.

AutoPay is definitely the way to go with AT&T—you save $5 per month when you sign up for AutoPay and Paperless bills. These options are such no-brainers that all the prices we show for AT&T on CableTV.com already include this discount.

Final take

Overall, AT&T keeps things pretty transparent for an internet provider. We’re fans of its clear pricing and included equipment fee. Make sure you sign up for AutoPay and Paperless billing to avoid late fees and get an extra discount.

If you’re not sure AT&T offers service in your area or want to compare it to other providers, we can help with that. Enter your zip code below to get all your TV and internet options.

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Methodology

Our internet experts have spent hundreds of hours researching internet providers like AT&T and testing their services. We compare AT&T with other top internet providers based on plans, pricing, speeds, features, equipment, and functionality. If you’d like to know more about our process, please visit our How We Rank page.

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See also: AT&T Internet Review | AT&T Deals and Promotions | AT&T Customer Service | AT&T Wireless

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