AT&T vs Suddenlink: A Full Comparison Between Two Popular Providers

Sep 26, 2022 - Views: 999

Rating:4.6 - 52Votes

AT&T vs Suddenlink is among the top 10 best internet service providers in the US. 

Both have pros and cons that can make you confused about the 2 ISPs.

Don’t know which ISP should be chosen?

This article is for you.

A full comparison between 2 big internet providers will be disclosed.

Keep reading.

AT&T vs Suddenlink

AT&T vs Suddenlink

AT&T vs Suddenlink: which ISP should I choose?

Here is the table of the overall rating of Suddenlink vs ATT under the differences such as internet types, prices, data caps, installation fees, etc.

Take a look.

which ISP should I choose?

which ISP should I choose?

AT&T vs Suddenlink: Internet service

In terms of the internet service, whether Cox vs Verizon or Suddenlink vs AT&T provides various internet plans with different prices.

This is suitable for each online demand as well as the financial status of many potential customers.

Here are the internet plans along with respective prices and additional fees.

AT&T vs Suddenlink: Internet plan

AT&T internet plan

AT&T plan

Starting price

Price after 12 mo

Download speed

Upload speed

Data cap

Fixed wireless

$70

$70

10 Mbps

1 Mbps

350 GB

Fiber Internet 300

$55.00/mo

$55.00/mo

300 Mbps

300 Mbps

None

Fiber Internet 500

$65.00/mo

$65.00/mo

500 Mbps

500 Mbps

None

Fiber Internet 1000

$80.00/mo

$80.00/mo

1,000 Mbps

940 Mbps

None

2 GIG

Fiber

$110.00/mo

$110.00/mo

2,000 Mbps

2,000 Mbps

None

5 GIG

Fiber

$180.00/mo

$180.00/mo

4,700 Mbps

4,700 Mbps

None

Internet 10 DSL

$55.00/mo.

$65.00/mo

10 Mbps

1 Mbps

1TB

Internet 18

DSL

$55.00/mo.

$65.00/mo

18 Mbps

1 Mbps

1TB

Internet 25

DSL

$55.00/mo.

$65.00/mo

25 Mbps

2 Mbps

1TB

Internet 50

DSL

$55.00/mo.

$65.00/mo

50 Mbps

10 Mbps

1TB

Internet 100

DSL

$55.00/mo.

$65.00/mo

100 Mbps

20 Mbps

None

Suddenlink internet plan

AT&T plan

Starting price

Price after 12 mo

Download speed

Upload speed

Data caps

100Mbps

 

$34.99/mo

100 Mbps

5.0 Mbps

None

300 Mbps

Cable

$40

$50

300 Mbps

20 Mbps

None

300 Mbps

Fiber

$40

$50

300 Mbps

300 Mbps

None

500 Mbps

Cable

$60

$70

500 Mbps

20 Mbps

None

500 Mbps

Fiber

$60

$70

500 Mbps

500 Mbps

None

1000 Mbps

Cable

$80

$90

up to 1000Mbps

35 Mbps

None

1000 Mbps

Fiber

$80

$90

940 Mbps

940 Mbps

None

From the 2 tables above, AT&T has more gig internet plans than Suddenlink.

If you want to see higher internet speed test results and a better virtual experience, AT&T services are a good choice for you. 

With such fast speed of AT&T, you can do more heavy-bandwidth activities such as streaming, playing online games, live streaming, etc.

AT&T vs Suddenlink: Contractions, Equipment fees

It’s not always easy when it comes to the price. 

Whether Mediacom vs Centurylink, Suddenlink vs Xfinity, or AT&T Internet and Suddenlink, all try to do right to minimize the extra charges.

Here are some fees you might encounter when picking one of them.

Installation

AT&T charges a $99 fee for professional installation and does not provide a self-installation option for new customers. 

This fee, however, will be charged only once, and a professional technician will come to your home and install either cable, IPBB, or fixed wireless. 

Depending on the plan, there may also be a $49 activation fee.

Suddenlink Communications charges installation fees as well. 

Standard installation costs $59, while premium installation costs $99 and includes WiFi configuration for up to six devices, hardwiring for one device, and assistance in creating your Suddenlink ID. 

If you order online, you may be eligible for free installation.

Contracts, Equipment fees

Although the majority of AT&T's internet plans require a 1-2 year contract, there is a $59.99 per month deal that does not require an annual contract. 

AT&T's plans include download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps and early termination fees ranging from $120-$180. 

Customers should budget $99 for professional installation as well as a $10 monthly equipment fee to lease a modem, router, and WiFi Gateway. 

If you do not return your equipment after your contract expires, you will be charged $150.

You should consider equipment fees before choosing a ISP

You should consider equipment fees before choosing an ISP

Suddenlink Communications offers contract-free internet plans. 

There are no early termination fees because there are no contracts to sign.

Suddenlink Communications offers contract buyouts if you want to switch from another internet service provider before your Suddenlink contract expires. 

You have the option of leasing the Docsis 3.0 Modem purchasing the Suddenlink wireless modem/router for $10 per month or purchasing the Docsis 3.0 Modem for $80.

AT&T vs Suddenlink: Data caps

AT&T's data caps range from 350 GB to unlimited, depending on your plan. 

If you go over your data limit, you'll be charged $10 for every additional 50 GB, with a cap of $100-$200. 

You can pay an additional $30 monthly fee to upgrade to unlimited data.

AT&T just set data caps for the DSL and fixed wireless connection, thus, fiber customers can eliminate any worries about data overage fees.

Depending on the plan you choose, Suddenlink Communications' data caps range from 250 GB to unlimited. 

There are no add-on options for unlimited data. 

If you go over your monthly limit, you'll have to pay an extra $15 for every 50 GB.

AT&T vs Suddenlink: Availability and coverage map

Both AT&T and Suddenlink cover 21 states across the US. 

According to the map below of the Federal Communications Commission, AT&T’s coverage dominates.

In fact, over 40% of the country can use the AT&T internet service while this number of Suddenlink is nearly 6%.

The availability and coverage map of AT&T (red) and Suddenlink (blue)

The availability and coverage map of AT&T (red) and Suddenlink (blue)

Where are both 2 ISPs available?

They are Arkansas, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.

When it comes to actual coverage areas, Optimum has coverage across 

  • Arizona 

  • Idaho

  • New Mexico 

  • Pennsylvania

  • Virginia

  • West Virginia

  • The northeastern tri-state area (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York)

AT&T TV availability map, on the other hand, covers the following states: 

  • Alabama

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Illinois

  • Indiana 

  • Michigan 

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Wisconsin

AT&T vs Suddenlink: Pros and cons

 

AT&T

Suddenlink

Pros

  • Faster speeds with fiber

  • Wide availability with DSL

  • 24/7 customer support

  • Less expensive modem rental fee

  • Extra sports programming with DIRECTV

  • Moderate speeds with cable

  • 24/7 customer support

  • No contract

  • Unlimited data for higher-tier plans

  • Reasonable fees for data overages

Cons

  • Slower speeds with DSL

  • DSL data cap at 1 TB

  • Limited availability of fiber

  • High installation fees

  • Data caps at 250 GB–350 GB

  • Highest speeds not available in all areas

  • Slow upload speeds

Customer rating

3.8/5

3.6/5

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Suddenlink and Optimum the same?

Who owns Suddenlink? - Well, Suddenlink is becoming Optimum. 

Altice, their parent company, says the transition is underway so that all of their services are under one roof. 

In the Northeast, their services are known as Optimum, while in states such as Texas, they are known as Suddenlink.

2. Does ATT internet have unlimited data?

All existing and new Internet 100, 300, and 1000 customers will receive free unlimited internet data. 

That means unlimited internet browsing, video streaming, and teleconferencing without fear of overage charges, regardless of speed tier.

3. How much is AT&T a month for one line?

Pricing by line

AT&T Unlimited Premium

AT&T Value Plus

1 line

$85/mo.

$50/mo.

2 lines

$150/mo.

N/A

3 lines

$180/mo.

N/A

4 lines

$200/mo.

N/A

 

4. Is AT&T the same company as Optimum?

No. 

AT&T is a telecommunications company that offers broadband and mobile services, whereas Optimum is owned by Altice USA, one of the country's largest communications companies.

5. Is Optimum less expensive than AT&T?

Optimum's starting prices are generally lower than comparable AT&T plans. 

For example, Optimum's 300Mbps plan starts at $40 per month, whereas AT&T's 300Mbps plan starts at $55 per month. 

Optimum's 500Mbps plan is $5 less expensive than AT&T's. 

The gigabit plans begin at the same price, $80 per month. 

However, after 24 months, when Optimum's rates rise, AT&T becomes less expensive across the board.

Closing thoughts

AT&T vs Suddenlink Internet: Which ISP should you choose? Based on your demand and other criteria, you make a different decision yourself. Hope this article brings you several important information. Follow MySpeed if you are interested in other related topics.

Reference:

https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/att-vs-optimum/

https://broadbandnow.com/compare/ATT-vs-Suddenlink-Communications

https://www.allconnect.com/providers/att-vs-optimum

https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/att-vs-suddenlink

Rating:4.6 - 52Votes

10 Comments

Filter
  1. Justin Kim

    This has some really interesting ideas I’m looking forward to trying this year. Thanks for the informative and helpful walk-throughs

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Submit Comment
    1. MySpeed

      This comparison is pretty long. Hope you don't hate me 😂

      Leave a Comment

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
      Submit Comment
  2. Hallie Wood

    Do you know how to limit the Internet speed for a specific device which is connected to my WiFi I'm using AT&T?

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Submit Comment
    1. MySpeed

      You can separate SSID and a separate WiFi password. You have two independent WiFi radios — one for the 2.4 GHz band and one for the 5 GHz band. If you get good signal on the 5 GHz band, don’t give out the 5 GHz WiFi password. The people on the 2.4 GHz band will be limited to about 100 Mbps.

      Leave a Comment

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
      Submit Comment
  3. Benjamin Adams

    Is SuddenLink a reliable internet company? I searched on the Internet and they have been in quite a few lawsuits

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Submit Comment
    1. MySpeed

      Not sure, but Suddenlink notched 53 out of 100, dead last among qualifying ISPs in the American Customer Satisfaction Index survey in 2022

      Leave a Comment

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
      Submit Comment
  4. Jack Phillips

    I have one request. Please keep sharing such comparison too often in your next blog

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Submit Comment
    1. MySpeed

      For sure 👍

      Leave a Comment

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
      Submit Comment
  5. Brandon Wood

    I just recently moved and AT&T is the only provider that has lines in my area and it’s only 5mbps. Is there any way for me to get better internet or Ethernet?

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
    Submit Comment
    1. MySpeed

      You can try limit the number of connected device, change Wifi frequency,...

      Leave a Comment

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
      Submit Comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Submit Comment