The Hidden Costs of AT&T TV and Internet
We've dug through the fine print to find hidden fees on your AT&T TV and internet plans.
It’s fun to watch Sherlock on TV, but you probably don’t want to be him just to figure out your AT&T internet bill. No worries—we’ve pulled out our magnifying glass, sorted through the fine print, and figured it all out for you.
AT&T pros and cons
Pros
- Large service area/wide availability
- Affordable residential internet and wireless plans
- Business internet and phone plans
Cons
- Two-year contracts
- Limited fiber service area/availabilty
- Expensive business plans
AT&T deals and promotions
As of this writing, AT&T Internet has the following deals:
- $150 Visa® Reward Card: This deal applies to online orders of Internet 300 and higher, but it’s not available in all areas. Redemption required.
- Extra $100 Visa Reward Card (fiber plans only): To get an extra 100 bucks on that gift card, enter the code FIBERNOW when you check out.
- Free HBO Max: Get this popular streaming service when you sign up for AT&T Fiber Internet 1000 ($60/mo. for 12 mos., 940 Mbps).
AT&T internet plans summary
| Package name |
| AT&T Internet 100 |
| AT&T Internet 300 |
| AT&T Fiber |
| Download speeds up to | 12-month introductory price* | Ongoing price |
| 100 Mbps | $35/mo. | $55/mo. |
| 300 Mbps | $45/mo. | $65/mo. |
| 1,000 Mbps | $60/mo. | $80/mo. |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*For 12 months with a 1-yr agreement plus taxes and equipment fee
After the first year with AT&T internet, your price will increase. Currently, AT&T Internet plans outside of the promotional period are $55 per month, and their much faster cousins—AT&T Fiber plans—raise to $80 per month.
Taxes, fees, and surcharges on AT&T plans
You know what they say about death and taxes. Your AT&T plan will come with tax surcharges on services and equipment based on the requirements of where you live.
There’s also an optional fee you should be aware of—unlimited data allowance on internet. That’s $30.00 per month, and you really shouldn’t bother with it. AT&T has monthly 1 TB data caps on most stand-alone packs, which is industry standard and more than most people will use.
| Type |
| Taxes |
| Unlimited internet data |
| Cost |
| Varies by area |
| $30.00/mo. |
AT&T installation fees
AT&T charges a $99.99 installation fee for internet service.
AT&T installation fees summary
| Service plan |
| AT&T Internet plans |
| One-time fees |
| $99.99 installation fee |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
AT&T equipment fees
AT&T requires you to pay a $10-per-month equipment fee for its combo Wi-Fi router/internet modem, and the mandatory fee isn’t a great deal for subscribers. Unlike most competing internet providers, you won’t be able to skip the rental fees and save money by bringing your own modem or buying one from AT&T.
AT&T equipment fees summary
| Equipment |
| Internet equipment fee |
| Cost |
| $10/mo. |
Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change.
AT&T late fees
Out of all AT&T’s hidden fees, this one is the most straightforward. Miss a payment and you’ll be charged a late fee. The exact amount varies by state, but it’s generally up to $10.00 per bill.
AT&T cancellation costs
AT&T’s contracts last one year. If you need to bow out before then, AT&T will slap you with some hefty early termination fees. You’ll have to pay $15.00 for each month remaining on your TV or internet agreement.
Another word of caution: be sure to return your equipment on time or else you’ll receive a $150 fine on that too.
Our recommended AT&T package: AT&T Internet 100
With AT&T Internet 100, you’ll have enough download performance to handle regular web browsing and streaming for a small to mid-sized household.
Final take
Things can get pricey with AT&T Internet if you pick a lower-tier internet package, or cancel before your contract ends. But overall, AT&T shoots pretty darn straight for the territory.
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.
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.
