Is At&t internet really that slow?

Question

I have Comcast right now, but I can't see myself paying $44 dollars a month for it after the $19.99 deal is up.

I'm thinking of going with At&t and doing the free wireless package. But after using Comcast, is it going to seem really slow? Is there a package that's fast enough? What about downloading?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello; You will notice that your DSL is dramatically slower. DSL seems like a good deal, but as Comcast has about 1Mb/sec speeds, DSL generally has package deals that are at 256k 512k, or 768k. Even so, it'll be much faster than dialup... the thing with DSL; the speed is "optimum" speed rating, and the further you are from the nearest repeater, or power booster (they call it the "loop"), the slower your speed will be... the second thing about DSL is that when there's a lot of people using it, (Prime time for TV is often Primetime for internet too!; days when it's raining, and people are stuck inside, etc. are times when DSL slows down, due to the heavy traffic load. Cable does not have this issue, it's always the same speed.

The times when DSL is a drag, is if you watch streaming video online, like if you have Netflix, and can download & watch movies online... stuff like that... I've had DSL for a year, here in Puerto Rico, because Cable wasn't available in my small town... but it's finally come, and when my two year contract is done, I'll be switching... but hey; cable internet here isn't like Michigan where I was (Massachusetts too); I had Comcast in both places, and it was $60/month! Here in PR, it's $24, with no contract, free install, and free box if you stay with them a year! I've already got one though, so I'm looking forward to going back to cable!

It all comes down to if you think it's worth it... I think of it like this; DSL isn't as cheap as it seems... you have to have a phone, (most places, that's $28/month, for minimal residential service), then there's the the cost of DSL. I realized this, when I wanted to cut costs, and cut my home phone off... I never used it! But then Verizon told me I couldn't have DSL service without phone service; which is BS, because they use two totally different wires for the DSL, but that's the scam with DSL... the only reason I got it here, because the phone gets used here, by others who live here... I still use my cell, and haven't needed a home phone for years.
Like I said; it all depends on what you feel is worth it... if changing your email and all your settings every few years is okay for you, then that's fine... some people don't even take advantage of their service providers website & services (comcast has pc cilling antivirus (best in the business!), anti spyware, popup blockers, etc). I regret deleting Comcasts popup blocker! See, once you get it; they don't check for you to update it, and it's got great features! I wish I would have kept it! You might wanna think about downloading it, before you leave them... if you do, send me a copy!
That's about all I have for ya; I hope you found it usefull!;
Marcos

Answer 2

Try calling Comcast and tell them you called AT&T and plan on switching to their $15 per month plan when your $19.99 month Comcast deal ends as $44 per month is just too expensive. I suspect they will offer you a deal to extend the plan or a new plan at a lower rate; anything a month is better that losing your business.

Per
http://www.fatwallet.com/t/18/480333/

"I have been bugging Comcast for a while now and threatened to cancel a few times, but until today could not get a lower rate. I was paying $48 a month ( I have their basic tv cable service for $15) for the past year."

"Anyways, I just called in today, and told him Yahoo SBC is offering me $14.95 a month for 12 months. Right away, the representative offered me $29.99 for 12 months (with no contract, cancel anytime), and said that's the lowest rate he can give out."
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You get what you pay for. The internet speed is proportion to its cost.

AT&T has 3 plans. The cheapest "the Express Package" is too slow; you will need 2Mb/s download speed or more to watch streaming videos, even more speed if other people share the connection. Start with the AT&T "Pro Package" ($24.99 per month).

So at best you will save $19 per month. If you go with the AT&T "Elite Package" you will only save $9/month. In addition this is an introductory price.
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With AT&T is $5 more per month when you sign up upgrade over the telephone rather than over the internet.

AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Express Package
384 Kbps to 1.5 Mbps download speed
128 to 384 Kbps upload speed $14.99/ month

AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Pro Package
1.5 to 3.0 Mbps 384 to 512 Kbps $24.99 /month

AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Elite Package
3.0 to 6.0 Mbps 384 to 608 Kbps $34.99
https://swot.sbc.com/swot/dslMassMarketCatalog.do?do=view&serviceType=DYNAMICIP

Cable speeds are typically 4, 6, 8, 10, 16 Mbps download speed and 384 Kbps - 1 Mbps upload speed depending on the area. Cost is typically about $45/month.

Answer 3

You need to find out what the download and upload rates are for AT&T. Comcast has 3Mb download and 386k upload.

Also, check to see if Verizon Fios is available in your area. I recently switched over to that and its is freaking AWESOME! 30 Mbps download, 3 Mbps upload for $35 a month - totally worth it.

I'm surprised at how many people here don't like DSL. It is true that many DSL ISPs are not the best -- you get a lower download and upload rate, but some are very good (even better than cable!)

You really just need to compare the speed rates. One of the biggest benefits of DSL is that you are allocated bandwidth -- its yours and no one else can use it. On cable, its up for grabs -- if your neighbor is using the internet heavily it can affect your usage if you're on cable. But the main deciding factor is the bandwidth speeds.

Answer 4

I had SBC Global from Yahoo, but then AT&T stepped in and took over... but I have no complaints about the speed at all.

Answer 5

There are various speed packages available for AT&T DSL - their top speed is near cable speeds.

Answer 6

i had SBC Global from Yahoo, and AT&T took over, it seems the same. It's more than decent to me. I have T1

Answer 7

nooo... i have AT&T and it it actually fast... at first i had road runner, and i would pay 70 dlls a month for "High Speed Internet" and AT&T is alot faster...

Answer 8

yes it is! At least thats what other people say!

Answer 9

not..............it's allright ....i have At&t and i can't complaint , it's fast for videos and to donwload music ..... when you are donwloading movies it get a little be slow ......but if you just wat to wacth movies online videos, or lisen to music it just perfect........and you'll save a lot money