Does ATT have truly unlimited data?
You can also get unlimited data for your cellular device, but let me explain to you some important peculiarities of them. It is time to have a closer look at their unlimited data plans to establish whether they offer unlimited high-speed data indeed.
What Specific Unlimited Data Plans Are Available on AT&T?
AT&T offers the following unlimited data plans:
- Unlimited Starter
- Unlimited Extra
- Unlimited Elite
The plans include unlimited talk, text, and data allowance for all of these plans. Still, some of the limitations are the difference in video streaming quality, mobile hotspot data, and network priority on a specific plan.
The Unlimited Starter plan plays videos in standard quality, it does not stream videos in high definition. Together with this, a consumer does not have any restrictions in terms of talk, text, or data usage within the United States, Mexico, or Canada. This basic, unlimited plan also grants the customer 5G access when the network is available.
The Unlimited Extra plan includes a higher definition of the video streaming process. It also provides you with 15GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data each month and an option to connect an unlimited number of devices to your mobile hotspot, though, at 2G speed after 15GB. They also offer a 50% discount on any other complementary product which is also part of this plan.
The Unlimited Elite plan, for instance, allows users to stream their videos at ultra-high-definition 4K quality when possible. This plan offers 30GB of high-speed mobile hotspot provision, in addition to unlimited calls, messages, and data. This is the most expensive plan and comes with six months of Apple Music for free.
Are There Any Significant Drawbacks When It Comes to AT&T’s Unlimited Plans?
Yes, there are some important limitations to note with AT&T's unlimited data plans: Yes, there are some important limitations to note with AT&T's unlimited data plans:
Data Deprioritization
This means that while all of AT&T's Internet Unlimited plans allow you to use as much data as you want, all of the plans can be throttled to their highest tier speeds during network management in times of congestion. This is what is referred to as “deprioritization”.
The Unlimited Starter will be limited to its speeds at all times particularly when the network is heavily utilized. AT&T says this could lead to speeds below 1Mbps from time to time, especially for the Unlimited Starter clients.
100GO and 50GO of mobile data usage per month is a priority of the Unlimited Extra and Unlimited Elite plans respectively. Consequently, in dense areas, speeds could have been reduced immensely after attaining these rates.
Video Streaming Resolution Caps
As mentioned earlier, the high-definition, 4K ultra-high-definition video streaming is limited to the maximum resolution depending on which unlimited plan you opt for. Only the Unlimited Elite plan allows streaming of ultra HD 4K video content is a clear indication that it is the best plan to go for.
Mobile Hotspot Data Caps
However, the mobile hotspot data is quite generous with 15GB on the Unlimited Extra and 30GB on the Unlimited Elite, although those high speeds are not permanent. On 15GB for $45, you get 2G data speeds after you use up your 15GB of high-speed data on Unlimited Extra. On Unlimited Elite, you have the bonus of unlimited 3G data after 30GB.
Thus, to answer the initial question – yes, AT&T does provide its users with the so-claimed unlimited data plans, but those come with the resolution, speed, and prioritization restraints that customers need to be aware of. Of course, such limitations can hardly be considered inspiring especially if we take into consideration the entry-level Unlimited Starter plan which undergoes rather dramatic speed cuts when the network becomes congested.
What about 5G access on unlimited plans?
Only one of Mobile’s unlimited plans mentions 5G, which is available on all of AT&T’s unlimited plans when and where 5G is available.
However, there is a catch – AT&T NOTE, you have to be on the Unlimited Elite plan and on a device that supports the 5G+ mmWave. On a plus note, you can now get 5G on cheaper plans, but the fastest 5G speeds are available only with the top-tier unlimited AT&T plan.
One other limitation – the company AT&T now provides 5G+ mmWave only in very limited areas across the country, to estimate it covers no more than 1%. As a result, the majority of consumers are unable to take advantage of the promised near-perfect multi-gigabit 5G experience from mmWave technology today. Sub-6 5G, which is less common at a frequency below 6GHz, is more available on AT&T’s networks.
What Sets AT&T Unlimited Data Plan apart from other Carriers?
AT&T has some of the best unlimited data plan deals, but it doesn’t always provide the cheapest prices for it.
For instance, T-Mobile’s most basic unlimited plan costs $60-$65 per month for one line, while Verizon offers a similar option. The first tier of AT&T unlimited plans is the Unlimited Starter, with the cost starting at $75 for one line.
Nonetheless, as far as the network performance is concerned, AT&T stands in a good position as compared to the rival companies as claimed by companies like RootMetrics. While you may be paying a slight premium over other carriers, AT&T, in general, provides fairly consistent coverage, even if it may not be as comprehensive as Verizon’s or T-Mobile’s, and the speeds are, on average, higher.
For instance, while both AT&T and Verizon offer unlimited data plans, AT&T offers 5G access with all their unlimited plans, while Verizon only offers it with this additional fee of $10 for every month.
Is AT&T Liars or Legends: Does the Company Offer Unlimited High-Speed Internet Connection?
Unfortunately, no, all of AT&T’s “unlimited” plans have limitations or the possibility of the customers getting slowed down or having their data capped at some point. This is a big NO! As soon as you go over the high-speed data limit or connect to densely used network connections, your speeds drop, often dramatically.
It is always advised that the entry-level Unlimited Starter plan is uniquely hampered by infinitely slowed speeds whenever the network is busy, making data almost worthless at times.
Where the other unlimited plans are more favorable, they allow for a 50 – 100 GB cushion before throttling takes effect but speeds are still reduced after expiration of the allowance.
Therefore, in other words, high-speed internet with unlimited data usage still comes with a limit on the data usage in a given month. Only then do the brakes begin to be put on the speed of consuming data.
The Bottom Line
To answer your question, yes AT&T does have unlimited data plans for their customers which include unlimited talk, text, and Wi-Fi at high speed up to a certain amount. Yet, after a point, the speeds are slowed down or content resolution is made low depending on the amount of data used in a month. For such customers, the experience is as stated by the word ‘unlimited,’ especially if they have low usage rates. But try to cross the thresholds on a busy network, and thus your unlimited data turns into a snail's pace. It is not limitless full-speed access when those quantities are reached, so it is halfway between unlimited and metered.
Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.