AT&T Internet for Seniors

AT&T Internet Plans Tested and Reviewed by Our Tech Experts in 2024

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SeniorLiving.org Rating:
4.8 of 5
Questions? Speak with a AT&T Specialist:
855-929-4241
9 Plan Options
$55/mo. Starting Price
$10 off Bundle Savings
36+ Years in Business

SeniorLiving.org is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews. Read our Editorial Guidelines here to learn more about our review process and to learn more about how we are compensated.

SeniorLiving.org Rating:
4.8 of 5
Questions? Speak with a AT&T Specialist:
855-929-4241
Jeff Hoyt
Jeff Hoyt, Editor in Chief Read About Our Panel of Experts

AT&T offers internet plans with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps (5 gigs), depending on your location. Compared to most other internet providers, AT&T is more expensive, with plans starting at $55 per month. Still, as a long-time AT&T customer, I can attest to AT&T’s substantial nationwide network, great sign-up perks, and bundling options. The company offers a wide variety of services, which makes them stand out in a hyper-competitive market.

With these points in mind, I’ll discuss AT&T fiber and fixed wireless internet plans that I found to offer the best value and features for older adults. Read on to learn why AT&T is one of the best internet providers for seniors and discover if they’re right for you.

Using my AT&T internet

Using my AT&T internet

About AT&T

AT&T is a familiar telecommunications company in American households. Its roots date to Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone 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, fiber 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 190 million customers in the United States alone while also also offering services in Latin America. Notably, AT&T provides internet services and connectivity to almost all Fortune 1000 companies.1

Pros About AT&T Internet

  • Fast connection speeds: AT&T offers some of the fastest internet connection speeds on the market (up to 5 gigs).
  • Unlimited data: There are no data caps with AT&T’s fiber plans, meaning you can stream, chat, and browse as much as you’d like with no overage fees or decrease in speeds.
  • No annual contracts: Not having a contract means you can change your plans as your needs change. Also, if you move, you will not have to pay cancellation charges or early termination fees.
  • No promotional pricing: Many providers offer promotional rates that increase after 12 months. AT&T doesn’t do this, so you won’t have to worry about price hikes. Remember that AT&T can change their prices anytime; however, they won’t automatically increase them after the first year.
  • Veteran and military discounts: To show their appreciation, AT&T offers up to 25 percent discounts to eligible Veterans and military members as a show of appreciation.
  • No price increases: AT&T doesn’t increase prices at 12 months like other providers.

Cons About AT&T Internet

  • Available in only 21 states: AT&T currently operates in only 21 states, with California, Texas, and Florida having the most coverage.
  • Added fees: Although prices start at $55 per month, AT&T also charges taxes and installation fees, so your bill might be higher than the listed price.
  • Limited speeds available: Not all of AT&T’s advertised speeds are available in all locations. Internet speeds depend on your proximity to AT&T centers and service areas. Make sure you check to see the availability in your area.

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.

Plan Download Speed Starting Price Connection Type
AT&T Fiber Plans 300 Mbps to 5,000 Mbps $55+ per month Fiber
AT&T Internet Up to 100 Mbps $55 per month Broadband
AT&T Fixed Wireless Internet 25 Mbps (average) $59.99 per month  Fixed Wireless
AT&T: One of our favorite internet providers for seniors

AT&T offers a variety of internet plans, so you can find one that fits your needs and budget.

4.8 of 5

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. These consistent speeds can support over 11 devices at once. The biggest drawback is that AT&T’s fiber plans have fairly limited availability compared to the provider’s other plans. It starts at $55 monthly, plus taxes and fees (including $99 for professional installation). That’s some 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 many 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 somewhere fiber isn’t available but still want an AT&T plan, the company’s broadband plans may be a good option. These plans offer download speeds up to 100 Mbps, depending on location. It’s 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 monthly. 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 offering savings to 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. Those speeds are more than adequate for smaller households or people who only use the internet sparsely. 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 with a TV bundle. You can also check out our guide to the internet for seniors, which covers getting the best deals, the top providers, tips for staying safe online, and more.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Scammers can target and steal your information online even with a reliable internet provider like AT&T. Check out our guide to common security slip-ups to avoid on social media to help you stay safe.

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 chosen package. 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. Additionally, 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.

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 remember 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. A few providers offer the same or faster speeds for lower prices. However, they may require a contract or increase speeds after the promotional period ends. Below is a comparison of basic internet plans from AT&T and other leading providers.

Internet Starter Plan Comparison

Provider Price Speed Contract requirements
AT&T Internet 100 $55 per month Up to 100 Mbps No contract required
Cox Go Fast $49.99 per month with a 2-year price lock Up to 100 Mbps No contract required
Optimum (formerly Suddenlink) $40 per month for the first two years ($35 per month with mobile plans) Up to 300 Mbps No contract required

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About AT&T

Citations
  1. AT&T. (2022). Investor Profile.

  2. AT&T. (2022). Coverage Map.

Written By:
Jeff Hoyt
Editor in Chief
Read About Our Panel of Experts
As Editor-in-Chief of the personal finance site MoneyTips.com, Jeff produced hundreds of articles on the subject of retirement, including preventing identity theft, minimizing taxes, investing successfully, preparing for retirement medical costs, protecting your credit score, and making your money last… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt