Switch from DSL to this 5G fixed wireless option. AT&T Internet Air offers better reliability and faster speeds than DSL. CNET provides more information.
Review of AT&T Internet Air
AT&T Internet Air runs on a 5G fixed wireless connection, offering download speeds between 75 and 225 Mbps.
Equipment comes at no extra cost, and there are no term contracts. Here’s a closer look before you decide to subscribe.
AT&T Fiber is the top option for home broadband, delivering higher speeds and unlimited data.
While AT&T continues expanding its fiber service, other providers are leaning into 5G home internet, offering a much-needed boost in rural broadband and a solid alternative to large ISPs in urban areas.
Since 2021, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet have led the 5G home internet market. Yet, one major player, AT&T, was notably missing from the scene.
AT&T runs a sizeable mobile network and provides standard fixed wireless internet. However, it initially delayed offering 5G home internet.
When AT&T Internet Air launched, it was offered solely as an upgrade for existing DSL customers.
Today, AT&T Internet Air is open to new customers and DSL users eligible for upgrades in nearly 100 markets across 48 states.
Whether you’re considering it as an upgrade or a new service, you might be curious about what AT&T Internet Air offers and if it’s worth choosing. Here’s what you should know.
What is AT&T Internet Air?
AT&T Internet Air offers home internet through AT&T’s 5G wireless network. This upgraded network provides higher speeds than AT&T’s older fixed wireless service.
It also removes the need for a mounted receiver with a clear view of a nearby tower, making it a more accessible option than wired internet.
AT&T Internet Air offers a reliable internet option for rural areas, with speeds ranging from 75 to 225 Mbps and additional benefits that make it a viable choice, even in regions with multiple ISP options.
However, AT&T Internet Air still needs to catch up to T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet regarding coverage and availability.
It competes well with other providers in other aspects like pricing, speeds, and service terms.
AT&T Internet Air Plan Information
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Maximum Speeds | Fees and Service Information |
| AT&T Internet Air | $60 ($47 with qualifying AT&T wireless plan) | 75-225Mbps download, 10-30Mbps upload | No equipment fees, no overage charges, no contracts |
AT&T Internet Air currently has only one plan available. It offers the fastest possible speeds, usually between 75 to 225Mbps for downloads and 10 to 30Mbps for uploads, starting at $60 monthly.
Eligible AT&T mobile customers can get a 20% discount, lowering the monthly cost to $47.
Home speeds vary based on distance from the tower and network traffic. Some users might see higher speeds initially, though speeds may slow as more people connect locally.
According to the FCC, if your speeds are lower, it may not technically meet broadband standards but can still support basic online activities.
Here, I’m only discussing home speeds. Wi-Fi is generally slower than a wired Ethernet connection.
Additionally, speeds may decrease if multiple devices use bandwidth (including smart devices) or the router’s placement or model affects the signal.
Prepare for changing speeds and possible slowdowns.
A wired connection like cable, fiber, or DSL usually gives more stable speeds at home. However, wireless options like 5G can show varied speeds anytime for multiple reasons.
Bad weather may impact your connection, but heavy network traffic is often the main reason for slower 5G home internet.
To address this, AT&T says it will “significantly lower your speed for at least 30 minutes” if your usage heavily adds to network traffic.
How AT&T decides if or when you’re contributing to congestion is unclear. During your first few months, monitor your internet usage, including the number of devices connected, their activities, and the time of day.
Track any instances of speed reduction to identify what may trigger congestion limits. If you notice slowdowns, consider managing your internet data use in a few ways.
Here’s where to find AT&T Internet Air service.
One significant benefit of 5G home internet is its wireless delivery, which can serve many homes in one area without needing cable lines.
AT&T Internet Air is less widely available than T-Mobile Home or Verizon 5G Home Internet. However, it will likely expand, especially as a rural internet option.
Currently, AT&T Internet Air is available in 48 states across the US. While this is substantial, many areas also have access to AT&T Fiber.
If AT&T Fiber is available at your address, it may be a better choice: Even AT&T’s lowest Fiber plan is more affordable, faster, and offers unlimited data than AT&T Internet Air.
AT&T Internet Air is expanding, and here are some major cities in the coverage map:
| Albany, New York | Corpus Christi, Texas | Louisville, Kentucky | Sacramento, California |
| Austin, Texas | Denver, Colorado | McAllen, Texas | San Antonio, Texas |
| Baltimore, Maryland | Des Moines, Iowa | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | San Diego, California |
| Beaumont, Texas | Durham, North Carolina | Montgomery, Alabama | Santa Barbara, California |
| Birmingham, Alabama | Dothan, Alabama | Naples, Florida | San Francisco, California |
| Binghamton, New York | Fort Myers, Florida | New Orleans, Louisiana | Seattle, Washington |
| Brownsville, Texas | Harlingen, Texas | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Savannah, Georgia |
| Buffalo, New York | Huntsville, Alabama | Orlando, Florida | Syracuse, New York |
| Boise, Idaho | Indianapolis, Indiana | Port Arthur, Texas | Tallahassee, Florida |
| Charlotte, North Carolina | Jacksonville, Florida | Phoenix, Arizona | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Charlottesville, Virginia | Nashville, Tennessee | Raleigh, North Carolina | Tucson, Arizona |
| Charleston, South Carolina | Laredo, Texas | Rochester, New York | Washington, DC |
| Casper, Wyoming | Little Rock, Arkansas | Rockford, Illinois | West Palm Beach, Florida |
Residents may also get coverage in cities like Fort Pierce, Florida; Weslaco, Texas; San Luis Obispo, California; Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Panama City, Florida; Thomasville, Georgia; Sherman, Texas; Ada, Oklahoma; and Victoria, Texas.
When I checked service availability with multiple addresses in various AT&T Internet Air locations, the results mostly showed AT&T Fiber plans or AT&T Internet, which AT&T Internet Air will replace. Only a few addresses offered AT&T Internet Air, even after testing in about 15 cities.
You can check if AT&T Internet Air is available at your address here. If you currently have AT&T Internet (DSL), AT&T will likely inform you when Internet Air becomes available to upgrade your home internet service.
How does AT&T Internet Air measure up?
AT&T Internet Air is a new service, making it hard to judge its performance and value against other providers.
On paper, AT&T Internet Air is similar to T-Mobile’s 5G home internet, though it has less coverage. Both offer speeds from 75 to 225Mbps (T-Mobile’s range is 72 to 245Mbps), and AT&T costs about $10 more than T-Mobile’s basic plan.
Verizon’s 5G Home Internet has a more comprehensive speed range (50 to 300Mbps or 85 to 1,000Mbps) and starts at a lower price of $50 monthly, with potential discounts for Verizon mobile customers.
With mobile bundle discounts, the choice between AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile 5G home internet may depend on your wireless carrier.
Compared to other connections, AT&T Internet Air should perform better than DSL, but it may still need to be ready to replace cable or fiber services.
Cable and fiber internet likely provide more options and faster speeds, with better reliability, even if they cost a bit more each month.
Customer satisfaction with AT&T Internet Air
AT&T Internet Air is still a recent service, so there isn’t much customer feedback and satisfaction data. However, AT&T regularly scores well on the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power ratings.
AT&T Fiber recently achieved the highest customer satisfaction rating among fiber providers in the ACSI, scoring 80 out of 100.
AT&T Internet increased by 69 out of 100 among non-fiber providers, a 4% drop from last year.
Notably, only 5G home internet providers T-Mobile and Verizon scored higher. AT&T also led the North Central and West regions in J.D. Power’s rankings.
I looked on Reddit to find out how users feel about the service. As expected, there were both good and bad comments.
Some users appreciated the speeds and connection quality, while others preferred to keep their DSL and called Internet Air’s cellular service “a glorified hotspot for your home.”
Is AT&T Internet Air a good choice?
It may be too early, but the rising demand for 5G home internet due to its convenience and affordability could make AT&T Internet Air a good option.
People in rural areas with limited alternatives might find it particularly appealing.
With AT&T Internet Air, there’s no contract, so you can try it out without commitment and check the speeds and latency available at your location.
