AT&T FAQs: 7 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

AT&T is a major wireless carrier with extensive coverage and strong service options across the U.S. Known for its robust network and premium features, AT&T is an excellent choice if you need reliable, high-speed data and a wide range of plan options. While AT&T is often more costly than MVNOs, its benefits can make it worth the investment, especially for users who prioritize extensive high-speed data and premium network access. AT&T also offers attractive discounts on phone upgrades and family plans, making it a good fit for families or heavy data users looking to bundle services.

AT&T stands out in the crowded wireless industry thanks to its reliable network and a full suite of benefits, but like any carrier, it has unique pros and cons. If you’re considering AT&T and need a breakdown of what this carrier has to offer, we’re here to help! We’ve done the legwork to help you determine if AT&T’s offerings fit your needs so you can make a confident choice.

Note: AT&T’s plans are available to all users, and bundling options are available for AT&T Fiber and other AT&T services.

AT&T FAQs: Basics You Should Know About the Popular Phone Carrier

Before we get too far into it, let’s learn a little bit about the AT&T brand. Here’s a little info about AT&T!

• What sets AT&T apart? AT&T stands out with its extensive nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network, which provides reliable service across urban, suburban, and rural areas. It offers a range of unlimited data plans, premium perks like AT&T ActiveArmor security, and bundling discounts for AT&T Fiber and DirecTV Stream, making it a strong choice for heavy data users and families.
• What’s the price of AT&T’s plans? AT&T offers a range of expensive plans that include unlimited high-speed data and many other features. The main choices include Unlimited Starter, Unlimited Extra, and Unlimited Premium, each with varying levels of premium data, speed, and features.
• What kinds of plans does AT&T offer? AT&T provides both unlimited data plans and prepaid options. The unlimited plans include high-speed data, hotspot options, and international roaming, while prepaid plans, while still expensive, offer more affordable, flexible choices with various data allocations, ideal for those who want more control over their monthly bill.
• What network does AT&T use?AT&T operates on its own extensive 5G and 4G LTE networks, covering a large portion of the U.S. The network is known for its wide-reaching signal, providing strong coverage for customers in both city centers and many rural areas.
• Can you bring your own cell phone? Yes, AT&T supports bring-your-own-device (BYOD) options. You’ll need an unlocked, compatible phone, and AT&T offers a compatibility checker online to ensure your device works with their network.
• Does AT&T have any stores? Yes, AT&T has a significant number of retail stores nationwide. Customers can visit stores for in-person assistance, phone purchases, device setup, and account support, which is convenient for those who prefer face-to-face customer service.

1. AT&T Plans and Pricing

AT&T offers three unlimited plans at various price points, with each one offering various add-ons, high-speed data, and more. All plans have immense multi-line savings between two and five lines. If you open an account with friends and family, everyone will save big on their cell phone service. Let’s outline AT&T’s cell phone plans. 

• AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan
• AT&T Unlimited Extra Plan
• AT&T Unlimited Premium Plan

AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan 

AT&T’s Unlimited Starter plan offers unlimited high-speed data, 5 GB of hotspot data, and AT&T’s Active Armor cell phone security. Along with this, AT&T limits phone streaming on mobile data to standard definition. A single-line account here costs $65 per month, lowering down to $30 a month for a five-line account. One thing you will notice among major wireless providers is that they all have incredible multi-line savings. This makes these high-cost plans most valuable for customers who plan on adding multiple lines to their accounts. 

AT&T Unlimited Extra

AT&T’s Unlimited Extra offers 75 GB of premium data, which will never get slowed down unless the network is maximally congested (think NFL game), as well as 30 GB of high-speed hotspot data, which is a great addition to the plan for those who use their laptops on the go. AT&T still only offers standard definition streaming on their Unlimited Extra plan. 

AT&T Unlimited Premium

AT&T’s most expensive plan, Unlimited Premium, comes with 60 GB high-speed hotspot data, unlimited premium data, and 4K UHD streaming. This plan is very expensive, and we only recommend it for people who will get the most out of it. This high-powered plan is excellent for those who use their phones and other devices routinely while on the move. 

2. AT&T Services and Features

AT&T offers a wide array of features, making it a strong contender for users seeking comprehensive coverage and premium services. AT&T’s nationwide network provides strong 5G and 4G LTE coverage across urban, suburban, and many rural areas, making it an appealing option for users who prioritize seamless connectivity. Unlimited data plans ensure heavy users can stay online without overage fees, while features like AT&T ActiveArmor offer built-in security to block spam calls and guard against online threats.

AT&T’s bundling options let you save on monthly bills if you combine wireless with AT&T Fiber Internet or DirecTV Stream. Family plans and multi-line discounts help families manage costs, while flexible device financing options enable easy upgrades. AT&T’s international coverage also supports travelers with roaming options, making it a well-rounded choice for anyone needing a feature-rich mobile experience.

3. AT&T Versus Competition

There are loads of wireless providers competing for your attention. Finding the right provider is challenging, but it pays dividends in the long run. Many Americans pay way too much for their cell phone plan because they pay far more than they need. AT&T is fantastic for users who want unlimited high-speed data and are willing to pay a premium for it. Let’s look at how it holds up to the competition in MVNOs and major wireless providers. 

AT&T vs. T-Mobile

First, let’s look at AT&T compared to the major wireless network T-Mobile. These carriers have similarly priced plans and a similar phone selection. One of the bigger distinctions between these two providers is their coverage around the country. We recommend looking at local coverage maps, or coverage maps in areas you routinely travel, to decide which carrier is best for you. There are many areas around the country where AT&T’s network outshines T-Mobile, and there are many areas where the opposite is true. 

AT&T vs. Hello Mobile

AT&T has a trio of excellent, unlimited high-speed data plans. The downside to these is that they are all very expensive. Hello Mobile, on the other hand, has a no-contract service that is incredibly flexible. They don’t offer unlimited high-speed data, but their plans start at only $5 a month! That plan has 500 MB of high-speed data before you get slowed down, but still! If you don’t use any data while out and about an MVNO, Hello Mobile may be the right choice for you. 

This is one example of the price discrepancy between major wireless carriers and MVNOs, which is one of the major trade-offs between companies like AT&T and those like Hello Mobile. AT&T is a clear winner if you are a high-data user. These plans have unlimited high-speed data and a guarantee that you will always be at maximum data speeds. If you are a low or mid-data user and don’t utilize your phone as much when outside of Wi-Fi — Hello Mobile is the place to be. 

AT&T vs. Mint Mobile 

Lastly, let’s examine AT&T versus Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile suffers from the same data deprioritization that all MVNOs do, but they offer an excellent set of low-data plans with easy multi-line savings. Mint Mobile contracts out their plans, which limits flexibility but allows the company to offer impressive prices on plans ranging from 5 to 35 GB of high-speed data each month. 

Similar to Hello Mobile, Mint is a great place for low-data users to find affordable plans, while AT&T is better for high-data users interested in robust plans they can use every day. 

4. AT&T Phone Options

AT&T offers a wide selection of mainline phones in their stores and online. This includes popular devices from major brands like Apple, Samsung, Google, and Motorola. AT&T typically carries the latest flagship models, budget-friendly options, and mid-range phones, making it easy for customers to find a device that fits their preferences and budget. They also provide flexible financing and trade-in options, making upgrading to a new phone convenient.

AT&T also offers certified used and refurbished phones. These devices are typically inspected, tested, and restored to meet AT&T's quality standards, providing a budget-friendly option for customers who want a reliable phone without paying full price for a new device. Certified used phones often come with a limited warranty, giving buyers additional peace of mind. Various popular models are available, and you can usually find these devices in AT&T stores and on their website.

5. AT&T Customer Service

AT&T provides customer service through multiple channels, including phone support, online chat, in-store assistance, and the MyAT&T mobile app. The company aims to offer a comprehensive support experience, allowing customers to get help with billing, technical issues, device setup, and account management.

AT&T offers thousands of brick-and-mortar stores across the country, and you can find one near you with their store locator. You can also call (800) 901-9878 on Mon. through Sat. from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.  

6. AT&T Customer Reviews

AT&T has mixed reviews. All three major wireless carriers in the United States have good reviews and bad reviews, and AT&T is no exception. 

“I recently switched to AT&T, and I couldn't be happier with my decision! From the very beginning, the customer service team was friendly and knowledgeable, helping me choose the right plan for my needs. The activation process was smooth and hassle-free. I've been particularly impressed with the network coverage. Whether I'm at home, at work, or traveling, I consistently enjoy fast and reliable service. Streaming my favorite shows and making video calls has never been easier! Additionally, the AT&T mobile app is intuitive and user-friendly, making it simple to manage my account, pay my bill, and track my data usage. Overall, I highly recommend AT&T to anyone looking for a solid provider with excellent service and coverage. They’ve truly exceeded my expectations!” — Consumer Affairs

“AT&T disappointed me in a big way, and I will never use their cell phone service again. Their administration is really poor, and if you've given them a credit card number to debit each month, be very careful. I received conflicting and information from different people, and found their Customer Service really lousy and irritating. Do they even train the people?”  — Consumer Affairs

“My personal experience with AT&T's cell phone & internet services over the past 10 years has been excellent! ANYTIME I've called, the customer service has been awesome!! They make sure to handle whatever cell phone issue I've had in a professional, thorough & caring manner. I have not experienced horrible outsourced phone calls...they speak CLEAR ENGLISH...for instance. I switched from T-Mobile in 2013. Their customer service is WHY I left them for AT&T. I left them over the phone (I could never understand what the people were saying. Outsourced...) and in person. The store I went to back then shut down 8-yrs ago, along w/ many others. Their in-person store manager's jobs were not to help you...it was to help them make bigger-sales. I HIGHLY recommend AT&T for anyone looking for cell phone or internet services!”— Consumer Affairs

Everyone has a different experience with AT&T. If you are an AT&T customer, try to be patient! It might take a long time to solve your problem, but if you keep at it you’ll find the solution that works for you. 

7. AT&T: Review Summary

The Good

• Powerful Plans. Though these plans are expensive, all AT&T users have unlimited high-speed data and excellent coverage throughout the states. 
• AT&T’s Nationwide Network. AT&T’s 5G and 4G LTE networks provide excellent coverage throughout the country. 
• Impressive Phone Selection. This is common among major wireless providers. There are a lot of great phones in AT&T’s store, making it easier to grab a new phone when yours kicks it without having to go through the trouble of getting an unlocked phone from a third party. 

The Bad

• Price. Though AT&T’s plans bring a lot to the table, they are all very expensive. While family plans provide a lot of savings, they can only drop the prices so much.  
• Customer Service. AT&T’s customer service leaves something to be desired. Problems may take hours on the phone, multiple calls, or compromises before they are concluded.  
• Phone Contracts. Even outside of new customer deals, AT&T’s cell phones are always available for cheap monthly payments over two or three years. Be warned! If you get a cell phone with this contract, you cannot change providers and bring your phone until you pay it off in full, effectively locking you into AT&T’s service. 

There’s a lot to like about AT&T. It has an excellent network, high-speed data, and a well-stocked store. There are, of course, pros and cons, but AT&T is high on our list of excellent mobile providers. If you are willing to pay a bit more for unlimited data and excellent data speeds, then AT&T is the way to go! If you want more information regarding cell phone plans in your area, you can check out Really’s comparison tool for all the information you need! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AT&T’s unlimited data truly unlimited?
Yes, AT&T’s unlimited plans offer unlimited data, but speeds may be temporarily slowed during network congestion, especially for the Starter plan. The Premium plan includes high-priority data to reduce slowdowns, even in busy areas.

Does AT&T have 5G coverage?
Yes, AT&T provides extensive 5G coverage across the U.S. on all unlimited plans, giving users access to high-speed data in many urban and suburban locations, as well as growing rural areas.

What are the best perks of AT&T’s plans?
AT&T offers valuable perks, including mobile hotspot data, AT&T ActiveArmor security, HBO Max on Premium plans, and bundling discounts with AT&T Fiber and DirecTV Stream, making it a feature-rich choice for wireless service.