Is ATT Service Outage Affecting Your Area?

Outages happen with any AT&T internet type. Your mobile service or 5G home internet may go offline; though uncommon, even AT&T Fiber might have issues.

Older DSL connections can also experience network failures.

But, most times, an internet outage is due to a problem in your home. That’s good! You can troubleshoot it and restore your connection quickly.

How to check if AT&T internet is down?

An error message from your browser, apps, smart TV, or smart speaker is often the first clue that your internet isn’t working. These steps will help you determine if the issue is with your device, home setup, or an AT&T internet outage.

• Try connecting to the internet using another device.

• Inspect the lights on your modem, router, or gateway.

• Restart your equipment or do a complete power cycle.

• Use the AT&T app or check the AT&T outage map online.

• See if there are any nearby construction crews, or ask your neighbors.

Look at the lights on your router to confirm the connection.

Need help getting your AT&T internet connection working?

If you’re experiencing issues with AT&T internet and can’t determine the cause, contacting customer support may help.

You have a couple of options for assistance: send an online message or call the support team directly at +1-800-288-2020.

Specialized support is available for those facing problems with their AT&T mobile phone service instead of their home internet.

You can visit the AT&T Wireless support page for guidance or call +1-800-331-0500 to speak with a representative.

AT&T customer support can provide troubleshooting steps, answer questions, or assist with any ongoing issues to help restore your service quickly.

Customer Feedback on AT&T Fiber Outages and Reliability

We gathered insights from AT&T fiber customers on the reliability of their service, and the feedback was largely positive.

More than 90% of users expressed that they were either “somewhat,” “very,” or “completely” satisfied with AT&T’s reliability, highlighting the stability they experience day-to-day.

Many reported that their internet speeds remained consistent, with more than half saying their speeds were “rarely” or “never” noticeably slower than the advertised rate, even during peak usage times.

Regarding outages, customers shared how frequently these disruptions affected them.

While some reported occasional interruptions, many users indicated that outages were uncommon and didn’t heavily disrupt their experience.

This level of reliability, coupled with minimal outages, has contributed to high satisfaction levels among AT&T fiber customers.

Refunds for AT&T Outages

AT&T’s service terms say it “does not guarantee performance from end to end,” meaning the company holds no legal duty to offer refunds for internet outages.

Still, AT&T has occasionally issued refunds for outages. For instance, after a sizeable national outage in February 2024, the company offered $5 credits to affected customers. AT&T should have notified you if you qualified for this refund.

Call AT&T once service is restored for any other outages and ask about a possible credit on your bill.

AT&T Customer Reviews

We regularly ask people nationwide for their opinions on internet service providers. In our latest survey, AT&T shared second place in customer satisfaction with Verizon and Xfinity, trailing slightly behind T-Mobile, which ranked first.

For reliability, AT&T ranked third, following Verizon in first place, with T-Mobile and Xfinity tied for second.

Overall, AT&T earned its best ratings for speed, which makes sense since AT&T Fiber provides some of the fastest and most reliable internet options.

AT&T Network Reliability

AT&T operates networks across the country using various internet technologies. Some networks rely on older landlines, while others run entirely on modern fiber-optic cables.

AT&T networks also use cell towers that support a mix of 3G, 4G, and 5G connections.

What does this mean for users? Simply put, AT&T’s internet reliability depends on your location. Highly populated areas are more likely to have AT&T Fiber, while rural areas often rely on AT&T Air or DSL.

Fiber is AT&T’s fastest and most dependable internet technology, while DSL is close in reliability but significantly slower, especially as the distance from the hub increases.

AT&T Air can offer good speeds but may slow during network congestion. 

Moreover, AT&T Air service is deprioritized compared to AT&T wireless, which shares the same technology, meaning your phone might have decent speeds while your home’s 5G lags.

AT&T Internet Comparison

AT&T provides internet in states like California and Texas, as well as across the South and Midwest.

We reviewed the data to identify its competitors nationwide and evaluated which provider we’d prefer in a broadband face-off. Here’s what we found:

AT&T vs. T-Mobile 5G

T-Mobile home internet competes closely with AT&T Air, but T-Mobile is more straightforward to access since it’s available nationwide.

AT&T Air, however, is limited to areas where AT&T has DSL coverage and charges extra if you exceed 350GB in a month. For most users, T-Mobile 5G is the easier option.

AT&T vs. Spectrum Internet

Your choice between AT&T and Spectrum may depend on the available connection types. If you can get AT&T Fiber, it’s an excellent long-term option. Fortunately, both AT&T Fiber and Spectrum lack data caps.

If AT&T Air is your only option from AT&T, Spectrum’s cable internet might be preferable. However, watch out for equipment rental fees, second-year price increases, and a possible WiFi access fee.

AT&T vs. Frontier

AT&T and Frontier Communications are similar providers, offering both DSL and fiber. AT&T scores higher for customer satisfaction, while Frontier offers lower-cost fiber plans.

Frontier still sells DSL, unlike AT&T. If deciding between Frontier DSL and AT&T Air, AT&T Air is our recommendation.

AT&T vs. Verizon 5G

If AT&T and Frontier are similar, AT&T and Verizon are nearly identical. Both offer mobile service, fixed wireless home internet (4G or 5G), DSL, and fiber.

If fiber is available from either, go for it. For fixed wireless, choose your mobile provider. If you have neither, T-Mobile is a strong alternative based on our testing.

AT&T vs. Xfinity

Deciding between Xfinity cable and AT&T fiber is challenging. Xfinity’s affordable plans may work well for lighter internet use—just monitor data usage, as Xfinity charges if you repeatedly exceed limits.

If you’re a gamer, content creator, or have a large household, AT&T fiber is the better option. Xfinity might be more suitable if you choose Xfinity cable or AT&T Air.

AT&T’s Reliability Ranking

In our 2024 reliability review of major providers, based on customer reports, speed tests, and technology types, AT&T ranked fourth, following Google Fiber, Ziply Fiber, and Verizon.