AT&T is a well-known phone carrier, but there are both advantages and disadvantages to consider when looking at their plans. AT&T has many great features, but it's important to consider if they are suitable for your needs.
We will provide you with a detailed overview of everything you should know about AT&T as a carrier. This will include both the positive aspects and areas that could be improved. We will cover topics such as AT&T's coverage, plans, comparisons with other carriers, and more. Let's explore our practical review of AT&T so you can determine if this mobile provider is suitable for your needs and budget.
Pros and Cons
AT&T is a great carrier that offers excellent 5G and 4G LTE coverage. The mobile service provider is compelling because of its great plan lineup, solid phone selection, and awesome benefits.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive coverage
The plans and phones available are excellent. Awesome package deals There are many physical locations. |
Expensive prices
Few inclusions for the Cost |
AT&T Plans Overview
AT&T Postpaid Plans:
| Plan | Premium Data | Hotspot | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Starter | None | 3 GB | $65 |
| Unlimited Extra | 50GB | 15 GB | $75 |
| Unlimited Premium | Unlimited | 50 GB | $85 |
| Value + | None | NA | $50 |
| 4GB Plan | 4GB | 4GB | $50 |
AT&T, a big carrier, has many different plans available at different prices. The price for a single-line unlimited plan ranges from $85/month to $30/month for a prepaid plan with 5GB of limited data. More information on prepaid options will be provided below. AT&T's postpaid unlimited plans include 5G access and different hotspot allowances. This means you can connect your other devices, like when you need to work from a remote location. The Unlimited Extra and Unlimited Premium plans offer guaranteed high-speed data before your speeds are slowed down during times of high network usage. Unlimited Premium is a plan that offers truly unlimited data. This means that your internet speeds will not slow down, even if AT&T's network is busy. If you don't use your phone's data often, like me, because you're connected to Wi-Fi most of the time, then AT&T's small 4GB plan might be a better option for you.
AT&T offers a variety of plans to suit your needs. Whether you want lots of data and hotspot capabilities, or just basic calling and texting, they have options for you.
AT&T Prepaid Plans:
| Plan | Data | Hotspot | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30 Monthly Plan | 5GB | N/A | $30 |
| $40 Monthly Plan | 15GB | N/A | $40 |
| Prepaid Unlimited Plan | Unlimited | 5GB | $50 |
| 8GB 3-Month Plan | 8GB | N/A | $33 ($99 upfront) |
| 8GB 12-Month Plan | 16GB | N/A | $25 ($300 upfront) |
In addition to its various postpaid options, AT&T also offers a wide range of prepaid plans. You have the option to choose between unlimited data plans with all the features or more affordable plans with limited data. If you don't need a lot of premium data or a large hotspot allowance, an AT&T prepaid plan might be a good choice for you.
What do We like about AT&T?
Good Coverage:
AT&T claims to have the second-best network for both 4G LTE and 5G coverage. The 4G LTE network covers 68% of the country, which is slightly less than Verizon's 71% coverage. Although Big Blue's 5G coverage only reaches 29% of the country, which is significantly less than T-Mobile's leading 53%, you can still enjoy the advantages of both networks. In cities and suburban areas, there is a very fast 5G network available. If the 5G network is not available, there is a reliable 4G LTE network to use instead.
Vast Data Allowances:
AT&T, like many other major carriers, offers generous mobile data and hotspot tethering allowances to attract consumers. AT&T's Unlimited Premium plan offers genuinely unlimited premium data that does not slow down regardless of how much you use, as well as a massive 50GB mobile hotspot allocation. Even Big Blue's Unlimited Starter plan provides 3GB of high-speed connectivity over a hotspot. If you choose a limited data plan, such as the 4GB option, you can use as much of that data as a hotspot as you wish. AT&T is excellent for high, medium, and low data users.
Solid Cell Phone Plan:
AT&T offers a wide range of postpaid and prepaid plans, giving you plenty of options for wireless service without feeling overwhelmed. AT&T offers a variety of cell phone plans to suit your needs and budget. They have unlimited plans that cover everything, as well as prepaid plans with limited data. AT&T offers a wide range of phones, including the newest Androids and iPhones. You can buy devices such as Samsung Galaxy phones, Google Pixel devices, Motorola handsets, and other gadgets directly from AT&T. You also have the option to bring your own device. Having options is great, and AT&T provides you with a wide range of them.
Nationwide Stores:
Even though it's easy to get help online or over the phone, we like that AT&T has so many physical shops. You can walk into a store to get help choosing a plan, upgrading your phone, or talking about your bill. AT&T doesn't let you down when it comes to nationwide stores, which is one of the best reasons to stick with a big carrier instead of an MVNO.
What do We not Like About AT&T?
Expensive Plans:
Although AT&T offers many benefits, your monthly bill may not be the most affordable option. The fully-loaded Unlimited Premium tier from Big Blue costs a significant $85 per month. The cheapest postpaid unlimited data plan from this company costs $65. This is more expensive than what most mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) charge for using AT&T's network.
Average Offer:
Being a reliable, longtime stalwart of any industry has its pros and cons. One downside is that you can often find yourself stuck in the unexciting middle. AT&T's network is strong, but it is not the best. It is ranked in the middle compared to its competitors. It has less 4G coverage than Verizon and less 5G coverage than T-Mobile. The plan prices of this service are a bit lower than T-Mobile's, but a little higher than Verizon's. However, you won't receive any additional benefits like you would with T-Mobile, or have the option to add extra features like Verizon offers. In the past, Big Blue used to offer perks like HBO Max with its top-tier plan. This made us feel that the features somewhat made the high price worth it. However, when all the perks were taken away and the cost stayed the same, we felt disappointed.
AT&T Coverage
AT&T has a balanced coverage, which is one of its main advantages. The 4G LTE network is a bit smaller than Verizon's network, but it still provides excellent signal strength in both urban and rural areas.
4G Coverage:
- Verizon: 71% 4G coverage
- AT&T: 68% coverage
- T-Mobile: 63% coverage
5G Coverage:
- T-Mobile: 53% 5G coverage
- AT&T: 29% coverage
- Verizon: 12% coverage
Although Big Blue's 5G coverage is not as extensive as T-Mobile's, T-Mobile's 4G coverage is not as good as AT&T's. On the other hand, AT&T has a much larger 5G network compared to Verizon. However, Verizon still has the advantage when it comes to 4G coverage, although it is only a slight lead. What this means for you is that AT&T offers a network without compromises. They have a fast and rapidly expanding 5G network, as well as a very reliable 4G LTE network. This ensures that you will have more signal bars in more locations. We suggest checking the coverage in your area, but AT&T has a reliable network that should work for almost everyone.
Recap: is AT&T Good for You?
AT&T is a reliable network that offers great coverage, large data allowances, and a wide range of plans and devices to choose from. The pricing for this service may not be as impressive as smaller carriers, but you have the option to choose a plan with a lot of high-speed data and mobile hotspot capabilities. You can save money by choosing an AT&T MVNO such as Cricket Wireless, Consumer Cellular, or Boost Infinite. However, AT&T itself, also known as Big Blue, provides many advantages. Specifically, you will have access to a generous amount of fast data, generous mobile hotspot allowances, and additional benefits.
When we compare Big Blue to its main carrier competitors, things are quite different. AT&T and T-Mobile have similar prices, with AT&T possibly being more expensive. However, T-Mobile has a larger 5G network, but its 4G LTE coverage is not as good. Verizon is generally cheaper than AT&T and has slightly better 4G coverage. However, Verizon has a much smaller 5G footprint.
If you live in a rural or suburban area and want great 4G LTE service with some 5G coverage, AT&T is the best choice for you. T-Mobile offers a lot of 5G coverage in cities and suburban areas, but their coverage in rural areas is not as reliable. Verizon's 4G LTE network covers 70% of the country, while AT&T's network covers 68%. The difference between the two is very small. We appreciate AT&T's reliability, which may not be the best, but it's not the worst either.
Conclusion
AT&T provides extensive coverage, generous data allowances, and a range of plan options. However, their plans can be costly when compared to other carriers, and their network coverage is not the most extensive. Before selecting AT&T as your phone carrier, it is important to think about your needs and budget.
