AT&T Internet for Seniors

About AT&T

AT&T is a familiar telecommunications company in American households, as its roots go back to Alexander Graham Bell's telephone, which was developed in 1876. Since then, they have followed every major evolution of communication technology development and grown into an established company. The provider offers high-speed internet and communication networks in 21 states — with the most extensive coverage in California, Texas, and Florida. They pride themselves on being the largest communications company in the world based on revenue by providing service to over 100 million customers in the United States alone, while also offering services in Latin America. Notably, AT&T provides internet services and connectivity to almost all of the Fortune 1000 companies.1

AT&T Internet Plans at a Glance

All of AT&T's Internet plans start at $49.99 per month for the first 12 months plus taxes, fees, and an equipment fee of $10 per month. The difference in each plan is how fast the internet connection is. Your geographic location will determine the availability of internet speed.

Which AT&T Internet Plan Is Best for Seniors?

AT&T Internet 300 Plan

AT&T's Internet 300 plan runs on a fast and reliable fiber connection, offering plenty of speed for the average user. The biggest drawback is that AT&T's fiber plans have fairly limited availability compared to the provider's other plans.2 Starting at $55 per month, plus taxes and fees (including $99 for professional installation), it offers solid bang for your buck.

The 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 issue. 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 $39.99 per month for up to 300 Mbps, AT&T is a bit pricer.

AT&T Internet 100 Plan

If you live in a location where fiber is not available but you 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. 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. 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

AT&T Access

AT&T Access 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 AT&T Access! 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:

• Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (California residents only)
• AT&T is temporarily expanding eligibility to households that participate in the National School Lunch Program or Head Start Program and meet the income requirements.

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.

Depending on your plan, you may also have access to the AT&T THANKS appreciation program, which provides special offers on AT&T products and discounts on dining, events, and more. For example, part of AT&T THANKS is AT&T Friday Access, an opportunity to win a sizable gift card every Friday, no purchase necessary! Another great way to get the most out of your AT&T plan is to bundle it with TV. We'll get into the details below.

DIRECTV and AT&T Internet Bundles

Many older adults use the television 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 $124.99 per month. You'll also have access to up to 65,000 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 STREAM or satellite package to your internet plan really 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, 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 to do basic activities, such as emailing and light web surfing, 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:

Internet Starter Plan Comparison

The Bottom Line

AT&T's internet plans start at $55 per month plus taxes, and 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. Although AT&T internet is offered in only 21 states, they are continuing to invest and build their infrastructure to bring their service to more people.