AT&T Internet for Seniors

AT&T Internet Plans at a Glance

Almost all of AT&T’s Internet plans start at $55 per month for the first 12 months plus taxes, fees, and an equipment fee of $10 per month. The exception is fixed wireless plans. The difference in each plan is how fast the internet connection is. Your geographic location will determine the availability of internet speed and connection type.

Which AT&T Internet Plan Is Best for Seniors?

AT&T Internet 300: Best for Heavy Internet Users and Large Households

AT&T’s Internet 300 plan runs on a fast and reliable fiber connection, supporting over 11 devices at once and offering consistent speed. The biggest drawback is that AT&T’s fiber plans have fairly limited availability compared to the provider’s other plans. Starting at $55 per month, plus taxes and fees (including $99 for professional installation), it offers solid bang for your buck.

The AT&T Fiber Internet 300 plan is a good option for older adults who use the internet multiple times a day for a variety of tasks, such as emails, downloading videos and movies, streaming music and television, and making video calls. This plan is superb for older adults who host friends and family often, as several users can be online at once without any issues. With this service, you’ll also get unlimited data, so you won’t have to worry about overage fees.

For comparison, other companies we've reviewed like Xfinity have the same download speed of up to 300 Mbps at a similar price, but in cable form, which is less reliable than fiber. Compared to other fiber internet providers, such as Verizon, with plans starting at $49.99 per month for up to 300 Mbps, AT&T is a bit more expensive. Don’t forget that you can download the free Smart Home Manager app on your mobile device to check for nearby outages and get WiFi help.

AT&T Internet 100: Best for Light Internet Users and Couples

If you live in a location where fiber is not available but still want an AT&T plan, their broadband plans may be a good option. These plans offer download speeds up to 100 Mbps, depending on where you live. This is perfect for older adults who want to connect with their family on social networks, download music, or stream movies and television on a few devices. You can connect up to 10 devices with this plan, stream videos in HD, and share large files with the family.

Again, the speeds available will vary depending on your geographic location, and prices start at $55 per month. In terms of value, AT&T’s broadband plans offer decent value if 100 Mbps speeds are available in your area.

Senior Discounts for AT&T Internet Plans

AT&T does not currently provide senior-specific discounts or plans for internet service. However, they do have a few programs that can provide savings for eligible seniors.

Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a federal program that provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward the internet bill for low-income households or up to $75 off your monthly bill for those who live on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligibility requirements for the ACP include:

• Income of 200 percent or less than the federal poverty guideline
• One household member who participates in any of the following programs:
  • SNAP
  • Medicaid
  • SSI
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance
  • Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
  • Tribal Programs

Access from AT&T

Access from AT&T is an internet plan that provides low-cost internet services to low-income households. If you are eligible for the federal ACP, you are eligible for Access from AT&T! This includes all of the perks from AT&T, such as free installation and in-home Wi-Fi, no contract, and no deposit. This plan costs $30 per month or less, depending on the speeds available where you live. Download speeds can reach up to 100 Mbps in some areas. Eligibility requirements include participating in one of the following programs:

• Medicaid
• Lifeline
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (California residents only)

How to Get the Most From an AT&T Internet Plan

AT&T provides several perks for their customers, including antivirus software, an AT&T Internet Security Suite powered by McAfee, and Wi-Fi hotspot access in more than 30,000 locations nationwide, so you remain connected when you travel.

Another great way to get the most out of your AT&T plan is to bundle it with TV. You can also check out our guide to the internet for seniors, which covers how to get the best deals, the top providers, tips for staying safe online, and more.

DIRECTV and AT&T Internet Bundles

Many older adults use the TV for news, information, and entertainment in addition to the internet. If you bundle your TV and internet services with AT&T, you can save on your monthly bill when compared to paying for them separately.

DIRECTV offers satellite and streaming TV packages with up to 330 channels, depending on the package you choose. These packages can be bundled with AT&T’s fiber internet plans, starting at $119.99 per month for the first year, with auto and paperless billing discount. You’ll also have access to more than 80,000 on-demand shows and movies, and you can record your favorite shows to watch later with cloud storage. Whether you’re having a movie night with friends or watching a show with the kiddos, adding a DIRECTV package to your internet plan drastically ups the entertainment options available to you.

Many of these bundles also come with three months of free access to premium movie channels like SHOWTIME, Cinemax, HBO Max, STARZ, and EPIX. One thing to keep in mind is that bundles require a two-year agreement for DIRECTV. If you’re okay with committing long-term, the perks are worth it in our book. To learn more about DIRECTV’s packages, visit our DIRECTV review.

AT&T Versus the Competition

If you’re just looking for a simple internet plan for basic activities such as emailing and light web browsing, you may benefit from comparing plans with lower speeds; there’s no need to pay for more speed or features than you need. Below is a comparison of basic internet plans from AT&T and other leading providers. You can also visit our guide to the best internet providers for seniors to see how AT&T stacks up to the competition.

Internet Starter Plan Comparison

The Bottom Line

AT&T’s internet plans start at $55 per month, plus taxes. Keep in mind that available speeds and prices will vary by location. AT&T’s fiber internet plans provide value to heavy internet users or older adults who often entertain friends and family. Once you get into AT&T’s fixed wireless plans, the value of their plans begins to decrease, as plans from other providers offer the same speeds at lower prices. However, the value of AT&T’s fiber plans and the lack of long-term contracts shouldn’t be overlooked. Older adults who love to watch TV and movies will find the best value by bundling their services with one of AT&T's internet and DIRECTV bundles.