AT&T vs. Suddenlink

Is AT&T or Suddenlink better?

Joe Supan Last updated: June 24, 2021

The choice between AT&T and Suddenlink internet is a fairly easy one. If AT&T Fiber is available in your area, almost everyone should go with that. But if you can only get AT&T DSL service — confusingly called AT&T Internet — most people will be better off with Suddenlink. 

It essentially comes down to connection type. Fiber internet is faster and more reliable than cable internet, which is leagues ahead of DSL. That said, if you can only get AT&T Internet (DSL) or Suddenlink and don’t need a ton of speed, you can save a lot of money by going with AT&T. That’s because Suddenlink has exorbitant price increases after the first year. No matter which plan you choose, your price will go up by $70/mo. 

The difference between the two is neatly summed up by this year’s American Customer Satisfaction Index ratings. AT&T received the highest score of any provider in the industry, while Suddenlink received the lowest.  

Here’s how the two providers compare in every key category:

• Best availability: AT&T internet is available in 23 states, while Suddenlink internet is available in just 17. Most of AT&T’s coverage is DSL, which covers 38.11% of the country compared to just 4.66% for AT&T Fiber. 
• Best cheap internet: Because Suddenlink increases rates by $70/mo. in year two, AT&T is significantly cheaper in the long run, regardless of whether you get its DSL or fiber optic service. 
• Fastest speeds: AT&T Fiber has the slight edge when it comes to speed. It tops out at 1,000 Mbps compared to 940 Mbps for Suddenlink.
• Best customer satisfaction: AT&T receives some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in the industry, while Suddenlink typically gets some of the lowest.

AT&T vs. Suddenlink ratings

To compare internet providers, we rated each of them on four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. AT&T Fiber scores way ahead of Suddenlink in every metric, while it’s more of a toss-up between AT&T Internet and Suddenlink. AT&T Internet is significantly more affordable, but you won’t get nearly as fast speeds. Overall, customers report fewer complaints with AT&T’s service than Suddenlink’s.

How we score internet providers

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

We evaluate broadband providers in four categories: affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction. Each category contains multiple sub-factors, all of which are weighted differently to impact the provider’s overall score.

For each sub-factor, we score all providers on a continuous scale of one to five, relative to the industry as a whole. Because the average download speed in America is currently 180 Mbps, for example, we assigned all plans with download speeds between 100 and 299 Mbps a score between three and four. Xfinity’s 200 Mbps plan received a 3.50 score for download speed, while Spectrum’s 400 Mbps plan got a 4.16.

We only considered standardized data points in our scoring system. More abstract data like consistency of service and brand reputation is still part of our analysis, but we opted to let our writers address them in the context of each review.

Learn more about our methodology

Show summary Hide summary

AT&T vs. Suddenlink internet service

AT&T and Suddenlink internet plans have speeds and prices in every range available. The tables below show what you can get from each provider. 

AT&T fiber and DSL plans

*Prices for 12 mos + taxes & equip fee. Price includes $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). $10/mo. equip. fee applies. Prices updated 06/10/21.
**Prices for 12 mos + taxes & equip fee after $5/mo. AutoPay & Paperless billing discount (within 2 bills). $10/mo. equip. fee applies. Incl. 1TB data/mo.; overage chrgs apply. Prices updated 06/10/21.

AT&T’s DSL plans cost a flat rate regardless of what speed you get. AT&T will simply provide the fastest plan available at your address. 

Suddenlink internet plans

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Last updated 06/10/21.

AT&T vs. Suddenlink contracts, installation, data caps and equipment

Pricing is never simple when it comes to internet service. No matter which provider you choose, you’ll have to factor in a number of extra fees to calculate the final price you’ll see on your monthly bill. Here’s how AT&T and Suddenlink compare when it comes to added costs:

• Contracts: Neither AT&T or Suddenlink require contracts for internet service.
• Installation: AT&T and Suddenlink are both currently waiving installation fees on all internet plans.
• Data caps: AT&T has no data caps on its fiber optic plans and 1GB caps on its DSL plans. Suddenlink has a 350GB data cap on its Internet 200 plan, but the rest of its plans are unlimited.
• Equipment fees: You’ll pay an extra $10/mo. if you rent your modem/router through AT&T and $13.50/mo. if you rent through Suddenlink.

AT&T vs. Suddenlink bundles

AT&T and Suddenlink both offer internet and TV bundles that can make shopping for home services convenient and save you money in the process. Bundling internet and TV can also get you service or equipment upgrades, like free premium channels or speed upgrades. Here are some popular bundle offers from AT&T and Suddenlink that may be available in your area. 

• AT&T TV Entertainment + AT&T Internet 300

  • Starting at $104.99/mo.*
  • Speeds up to 300 Mbps
  • No internet data caps
  • 65+ live TV channels
  • $100 Visa Reward Card

  Bundle savings: $0/mo.

• Suddenlink Value TV and Internet 200

  • Starting at $50.00/mo.*
  • Speeds up to 200 Mbps
  • 350GB monthly data allowance
  • 210+ TV channels
  • $200 Visa Reward Card

  Bundle savings: $38/mo.*

*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of 06/10/21.

AT&T vs. Suddenlink customer satisfaction

With help from about 250,000 real consumers, the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) gives internet providers an annual score based on evaluations of quality and experience. Additionally, thousands of Consumer Reports readers grade their experience with internet providers every year. Taken together, these scores can be a great way to judge a provider before committing to service. 

Source: ACSI, Consumer Reports

Customers are clearly a lot happier with AT&T. It has the highest score of any provider with ASCI, while Suddenlink has the lowest. The gap wasn’t quite as large with Consumer Reports, but Suddenlink still earned the lowest possible scores in every category. 

AT&T and Suddenlink coverage areas

Suddenlink is available in fewer states than AT&T and you won’t find Suddenlink service in as many major metropolitan areas. Residents of rural areas on the outskirts of more densely populated cities are more likely to find Suddenlink service, and residents within those cities will likely find service with AT&T. Top service areas for each provider include:

• Los Angeles, CA
• Denver, CO
• Minneapolis, MN
• Philadelphia, PA
• Providence, RI

• San Francisco, CA
• Jefferson City, MO
• Clinton, NC
• Oklahoma City, OK
• Austin, TX

The bottom line

If AT&T Fiber is available in your area, this is an easy choice. It’s both the cheapest and fastest of the two — a rare feat for an internet provider. But if you’re choosing between AT&T Internet (DSL) and Suddenlink, the decision gets a little more complicated. 

Suddenlink offers far better speeds than AT&T’s DSL plans, but you’ll pay a lot more for them , especially after the first year. In year two, Suddenlink’s plans will cost anywhere from $100/mo. to $140/mo. AT&T’s DSL plans, for comparison, cost $45/mo. in year one and $55/mo. in year two. 

But AT&T’s DSL plans are usually significantly slower. They range anywhere from 10 to 100 Mbps download speed, and you’ll automatically get the fastest plan available. If the speeds available are on the higher end of that range, you can probably get by just fine. But you’ll struggle to do things like stream video and work from home on just 10 Mbps.