Is Verizon Internet better than AT&T?
Is Verizon Internet for Me Better Than AT&T?
When it comes to the selection of an Internet service provider, two of the leading giants in the telecommunication sector are Verizon and AT&T. Both companies provide Internet service through DSL, fiber optics, and fixed wireless Internet technologies. To determine which provider is the best in terms of internet service, one has to consider the factors that range from the availability of the service provider, the speed of the service, its reliability, and the rates offered by the service provider.
Availability
Thus, Verizon Fios offers internet services by utilizing fiber optic cables offering extremely high connection speeds that are more available than the cable company. Verizon plans also covers more than 100 million homes nationwide by fiber optics. However, if you don’t have access to fiber optic connections, Verizon also provides broadband DSL internet connections across the country via telephone lines.
However, AT&T fiber internet is currently available only in parts of over 20 metro markets. Relative availability is less for AT&T fiber since constructing a fiber network demands more extensive infrastructure development compared to Verizon’s network. Other than its fiber connection, AT&T offers internet using the old-fashioned DSL lines or fixed wireless which offer slower internet speeds compared to fiber optics.
Internet Speeds
Advertising speed, Verizon Fios has higher maximum speeds offered than AT&T fiber, as well as other internet technologies offered by both companies. The Verizon Fios plan enables you to have equal download and upload speeds of up to 940 megabits per second for some regions. The average speed range is close to 300 Mbps.
The various residential plans AT&T fiber offers are as follows; the fastest being 1 Gbps. However, it is more usual to see download speeds varying from 300 Mbps to 500 Mbps and upload speeds are around 500 Mbps. Both fiber services offer very high speeds where current activities such as 4K video streaming, video conferences, and online gaming on multiple devices are doable.
Even when compared with DSL or with fixed wireless speed, Verizon is ahead of everyone. Verizon DSL services can go as high as 15 Mbps while AT&T’s downloading speed goes up to 10 Mbps only. Both firms provide unstable fixed wireless internet speeds in the region of 25-50 Mbytes/s.
Reliability
Verizon is also slightly ahead of AT&T if focusing on network reliability as well. Verizon Fiber is one of the best internet service providers in the United States of America and has been ranked so in multiple independent studies because it provides its customers with internet speeds as advertised frequently.
AT&T fiber is also very consistent as well though it is slightly less reliable than Verizon fiber in terms of speed. That is why both fiber services maintain around 99% of the advertised speeds during peak usage hours that the customers are paying for. In terms of reliability, DSL and fixed wireless internet services offered by Verizon and AT&T are almost equally affected by technological constraints. They avail 70% to 80% of the peak speeds depending on the traffic congestion of the network.
Pricing
On standalone internet plans, the prices are comparable between the two; however, Verizon provides greater value. The price range for basic DSL is between $40 and $60 per month, and $50 to $70 for the fixed wireless at the entry level. In fiber optic connection, companies offer basic packages that go for $60-80 per month with access to 300 Mbps.
Base pricing is comparable, although Verizon gives you better bundles that might make your overall prices more affordable. And while it is true that many consumers want a bundle of internet and cable TV and/or home phone. This plan’s plans also make Verizon’s Fios bundles more appealing since they offer the same features and top speeds for the same price as AT&T’s packages. Some of the customers can achieve better fiber speed from Verizon at a cheaper price than the slow DSL or fixed wireless services of other companies.
The Bottom Line
Fiber connection or Fios as popularly known boasts of wider network coverage, relatively faster maximum speeds, and better reliability compared to AT&T fiber and the other connection types offered by both Verizon and AT&T. Although speeds offered by AT&T Internet could be sufficient to cover the majority of households’ requirements, Verizon Fios provides more households with access to the next level of gigabit fiber speeds of 900+ Mbps which ensures the ultimate performance in the future.
Before deciding on which option is best for you, I recommend visiting Verizon and AT&T to see which internet types and speeds are available at your location. It may be the case that costs are a little different but Verizon Fios in general offers better Internet service for the same bucks as AT&T where fiber service is offered. Aside from the fiber connections, Verizon DSL and AT&T Internet provide reasonably good and cost-effective connections suited for general browsing and other light usage such as streaming videos.
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.
