AT&T Internet vs Sonic.net

AT&T Internet Deals and Promotions

SETUP SERVICE

(844) 319-1735

PRICE RANGE $40 to $80 / mo
TECHNOLOGY DSL
SPEED RANGE (DOWNLOAD) 6.0 mbps to 1,000 mbps
SPEED RANGE (UPLOAD) 1.0 mbps to 1,000 mbps

AT&T Internet OVERVIEW

AT&T offers fiber optic and hybrid DSL internet connections to many residential consumers and businesses across the US. They also offer a variety of “triple play” plans with bundled TV and home phone service.

AT&T Internet TECHNOLOGY

Their DSL offering, historically known as AT&T U-verse, leverages a fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) layout where fiber optic cable terminates at a point near consumers, with the final stretch to the subscriber residence reached via telephone, ethernet, and in some rare cases coaxial cable. This hybrid fiber network has allowed AT&T to offer higher bandwidth plans than traditionally expected from DSL.

In addition to their DSL offering, AT&T also offers fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) in some areas. FTTH is considered the “gold standard” for strong, fast, and reliable home internet connection.

AT&T Internet RATINGS AND REVIEWS

41.0% recommendation rating according to 92,970 verified users

Sonic.net Deals and Promotions

SETUP SERVICE

(888) 317-7540

PRICE RANGE ---
TECHNOLOGY DSL
SPEED RANGE (DOWNLOAD) ------
SPEED RANGE (UPLOAD) -----

Sonic.net OVERVIEW

Sonic.net offers broadband Internet, TV, and phone service throughout California via both DSL and fiber networks.

Sonic.net TECHNOLOGY

Sonic.net offers broadband Internet, TV, and phone service throughout California via both DSL and fiber networks.

The company’s DSL offerings come in two technical flavors — VDSL or ADSL2, depending on a subscriber’s distance from their local office.DSL broadband Internet is delivered over the same copper phone lines that deliver landline phone service. While less advanced than coaxial cable, these lines go directly to consumer residences instead of “sharing” within neighborhoods, making the connection speed more reliable during peak use times.

Sonic.net’s fiber offerings are true fiber-to-the-home connections, the most advanced high-bandwidth low-latency option currently available. Because of the high cost of installing pure fiber cable all the way to a subscriber’s doorstep, FTTH is less widely available than DSL.

Sonic.net RATINGS AND REVIEWS

72.5% recommendation rating according to 991 verified Sonic users.

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CONSIDER DROPPING THE MODEM RENTAL FEE

Why rent when you can own?

If you’re willing to put in the half-hour or so it takes to configure it, buying your own modem and router could add up to hundreds of dollars in savings for a multi-year broadband plan. While it’s convenient to simply rent the hardware provided when you sign up, decent routers and modems can be bought outright for around the cost of a year in rental fees.

Using your own hardware also opens up customization options that aren’t available for rented hardware. Installing custom firmware on a private router allows for advanced network monitoring and security, which is great if you have kids, roommates, or are simply worried about Wi-Fi-mooching neighbors. Not every modem is compatible with every provider, however, so if you relocate regularly it might be smarter to simply pay the monthly rental fee to avoid trouble when you switch.

EARLY TERMINATION FEES AND HIDDEN COSTS

The fine print is sometimes small for a reason

Sign-up bonuses and other special offers can make it look really attractive to switch providers. In many cases, the savings are absolutely worth it. Anytime you sign a contract, though, it’s critical to factor in the length of the agreement and how much it’ll cost you if you leave. The final price you’ll pay once the promotion ends is far more important than the limited-time discount, especially if you’ll have to pay an ETF (early termination fee) to break out ahead of schedule. Rule of thumb: shop the final price, not the promo

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