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Both providers offer fast and reliable fiber service. Metronet starts cheaper, but AT&T offers more dollar value at higher tiers
Cheap and reliable plans
Overall Quality ⁃ 3.8/5
4.0/5 - Speed and reliability
3.5/5 - Dollar value
4.0/5 - Customer experience
View PlansRead Our Review
Best customer service
Overall Quality ⁃ 3.9/5
4.0/5 - Speed and reliability
3.8/5 - Dollar value
4.0/5 - Customer experience
View PlansRead Our Review
By Ajay Kumar
Sep 04, 2024
7 min read
Metronet Internet and AT&T Internet are both great fiber options, but ultimately, AT&T wins out due to its excellent speeds, good reliability, and better dollar value on the higher-speed plans.
With AT&T, you get fiber service that ranges from 300Mbps to 5,000Mbps, depending on what plan tier you pick. It’s a great option for those with large families or significant data needs, and it offers 5G home internet plans for those who aren’t in fiber service areas.
Metronet offers some stiff competition with symmetrical download and upload speeds and cheaper lower-tier plans. However, this comes with a lot of extra hidden fees potentially tacked on and guaranteed price increases later on.
“I would say their internet is reliable,” says Jane Collins, an AT&T customer in the Detroit metro area. “It’s been relatively trouble free. The pricing has been stable.”
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Metronet Internet vs. AT&T Internet: Plans, pricing, and speed
| Provider | | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $29.95-$109.95 | $55-$245 |
| Download speeds | 100-5000 Mbps | 300-5000 Mbps |
| Upload speeds | 100-5000 Mbps | 300-5000 Mbps |
| Details | View Plans | View Plans |
Data as of 04/05/2023. Offers and availability vary by location and are subject to change.
On paper, Metronet appears to have affordable prices, with the lowest-tier 100Mbps plan coming in at $30 a month for 12 months and options ranging up to $110 for 5Gbps. However, this is only the introductory rate for the first year, and you can expect an increase of $10 each year for one to three years, depending on your plans. There’s also several additional monthly fees, some which you can avoid, and some which you can’t like the $13 monthly “Tech Assurance Fee.”
AT&T pricing is fairly straightforward. Its most affordable plan comes with 300Mbps upload and download for $55 a month, while the most expensive is $245 for 5Gbps. There are equipment and installation fees, along with a monthly $10 gateway rental fee. New and existing AT&T Wireless customers may be able to take advantage of discounts for Fiber or Air service.
“It provides a very cheap and reliable service. I don’t feel the need to even explore [other options] because I’m satisfied where I’m at.” —Zamero Reyez, Ph.D. student at Purdue University
Metronet Internet vs. AT&T Internet: Fees for modem and installation
Service | Metronet Internet | AT&T Internet |
| Modem/router | Free | $10/mo. gateway rental |
|---|---|---|
| Self-installation kit and service activation | N/A | $35 |
| Professional installation | $75 ($50 with AutoPay) | $99 |
| Tech Assure Fee | $12.95/mo. | N/A |
| Billing Fee | $4.95/mo. (waived with paperless billing) | N/A |
| Late Fee | 1.5% of services | N/A |
| Eero Plus app (Optional) | $10/mo. | N/A |
| Whole Home Wi-Fi (Optional) | $9.95/mo. | N/A |
What makes this review legit?
Our fact-based research process centers on interviews with internet customers across the country, helping us understand how internet services hold up against diverse needs and challenges.
To put together this review, we looked at results from our speed test, pulled data from customer satisfaction surveys, and pored over the fine print to compare prices and speeds between the two providers. To flesh out our analysis, we also interviewed Metronet Internet and AT&T Internet customers to get their firsthand insights. We let their experiences guide our research and shape our conclusions. We also speak with ISP spokespeople and industry experts to get insights into connection types, speed capabilities, and other technical issues related to internet service.
The matchup: How we rate Metronet Internet vs. AT&T Internet
For all our internet reviews, we give a rating based on three main criteria—speed and reliability, dollar value, and customer experience—which we then average to make an overall score.
Here, we compare those ratings face to face. We then offer some analysis and context for important factors to keep in mind.
Want to know more? Read our full-length Metronet Internet and .
Speed and reliability
Metronet Internet: 4.0/5.0 | AT&T Internet: 4.0/5.0
Metronet Internet takes first place for its fast, symmetrical download and upload speeds, which range from 100Mbps up to 5Gbps. Its fiber connection is very reliable, and Metronet ranked second in our Fastest Internet Providers report, edged out only by Google Fiber. Even the slowest plans come with symmetrical speeds, making them good for tasks like Zoom calls, uploading videos, hosting a livestream, or playing VR games.
AT&T Internet doesn’t figure among the top five fastest providers in terms of speed, but it still does well for itself, with speed test results showing higher upload speeds than download speeds—an impressive feat for a provider. AT&T also ranks well for reliability, scoring top marks in HighSpeedInternet.com’s 2023 customer satisfaction survey with few outages reported and customers getting higher speeds than expected.
Dollar value
Metronet Internet: 3.5/5.0 | AT&T Internet: 3.8/5.0
Metronet has cheaper lower-tier plans that let you get 100Mbps for as little as $30, but it loses ground against AT&T in the long run. After the 12 months of promotional pricing expire, you can expect a $10 price increase every year for the next one to three years. On top of that, there’s a mandatory monthly $13 Tech Assurance fee, though it does come with 24/7 technical support and covers repairs to wiring or equipment. Students will also pay more compared with student plans from other providers.
Overall, AT&T Internet offers slightly better value. While starting prices are on the higher end among providers, you can get 300Mbps speeds for $55 a month without any data caps, cancellation fees, or automatic price hikes. New and existing AT&T customers can also take advantage of discounts to reduce their bill. And unlike Metronet, AT&T customers say they haven’t experienced rate hikes.
Customer experience
Metronet Internet: 4.0/5.0 | AT&T Internet: 4.0/5.0
While Metronet does well, AT&T ranks as the top fiber provider in the American Consumer Satisfaction survey and second place as a non-Fiber provider. HighSpeedInternet.com also ranks it as having the second best customer service. One AT&T customer in Ohio described their customer service experience as “fantastic,” though others have mentioned there’s a lot of scripted lines in the automated phone system before you can connect to a real human, which can take some time.
Metronet customers are generally positive about their customer service experience, with Metronet ranking above average in HighSpeedInternet.com’s customer satisfaction survey. Customers report that customer service is responsive during working hours, providing support via text, phone, and the website chat, which includes a bot that guides you through the troubleshooting steps before connecting you to a technician. The one hiccup may be professional installation, which can take a few days or even a few weeks to complete, and requires someone 18 or older to be present on the main installation day.
Overall quality: Which internet provider should you pick?
Metronet Internet: 3.8/5.0 | AT&T Internet: 3.9/5.0
While Metronet Internet has strong selling points, especially for those in its Midwestern service area, AT&T Internet scores higher in dollar value, allowing it to edge out Metronet. The fiber service offers great symmetrical speeds, reliable connectivity, and great customer service support, with few customers reporting outages.
Metronet is still a good option due to its fast and reliable speeds, solid customer service support, and reasonable prices at the lower speed tiers. If your data needs aren’t significant, the 100Mbps plans may be sufficient for your household. Unfortunately, Metronet comes with many additional fees, along with guaranteed price hikes after the promotional rate expires. It’s also not the best option for students.
View Metronet Internet Plans
Metronet Internet vs. AT&T Internet: What deals and promotions can you get?
Metronet offers promotional signup offers that lower the price on most plans for the first 12 months of service. New customers can get a free Eero wireless router, which you need to return if you cancel the plan. Finally, there are options to bundle internet and phone service with specific plans.
AT&T offers $20 off any internet plan if you’re a new AT&T Wireless customer. There are also promotional offers or deals available sometimes, depending on when you sign up.
Sign up and pay for 2 full months of 1Gbps service or higher, and remain a customer for at least 12 months.
Claim OfferClaim Offer
When you switch from another provider to AT&T Fiber, get a $150 Visa gift card to cover any contract cancellation fees.
Claim OfferClaim Offer
Metronet Internet add-ons and perks
Free Whole-Home Wi-Fi
Sign up for the 2Gbps plan, get a $9.95/mo. discount for Whole Home Wi-Fi for 1 year.
$100 Amazon Gift Card
Sign up and pay for 2 full months of 1Gbps service or higher, and remain a customer for at least 12 months.
$15/mo. Unlimited Phone
Sign up for an unlimited residential phone plan with an internet plan, and get the phone plan locked at $15/mo. for 1 year.
View Metronet Internet Deals
AT&T Internet add-ons and perks
Download the app to manage your home internet setup.
Add ActiveArmor identity theft protection to the monthly AT&T Fiber bill.
Add DirectTV to monthly bill
Sign up on the AT&T website.
Metronet Internet vs. AT&T Internet: What do customers think?
Metronet customers praise fast internet and reliable service despite growing pains
The majority of Metronet customers like the reliable service and reasonable pricing. Customers report that they’re able to stream on multiple devices, work from home, and upload without significant issues. One existing customer studying at Purdue University says they don’t feel the need to explore other options because they’re satisfied with Metronet’s service.
Installation is also generally quite smooth. Kristy Borba, in Bryan, Texas, says Metronet did a good job with the fiber burying process and did it without making a big mess. As a previous Optimum customer, she was unhappy with their frequent price changes and slow upload speeds but loves her Metronet service.
However, Metronet's recently constructed and still expanding fiber network has some growing pains. One customer reports that a fiber line was left unburied and cut repeatedly by landscapers, and it took several days for a repair to process. Despite these occasional issues, customers are often willing to stick with Metronet due to the fast, reliable internet. One customer Reviews.org spoke with said they’re fine with the future price hikes, since the service still works out to be cheaper than their previous Mediacom plan.
“The speed is fast. We have one TV, three phones, and two computers going right now.” —Kristy Borba
Customers enthuse about AT&T’s reliable service, stable pricing, and fantastic customer service
AT&T customers love their service. When Reviews.org spoke with customers, three out of four had nothing bad to say, which is unusually favorable when negative reviews are common for other providers. Jane Collins, a Detroit metro area resident, tried three AT&T services, and she thinks the internet is the best of the bunch in terms of reliability, being trouble-free, and having stable pricing.
Another customer, Danny Flanagan in Ohio, raves about AT&T internet, even saying the customer service is “fantastic” and that he’s planning on moving to the mobile side as well. Another customer, Lauren Hannula, was forced to sign up for Spectrum when she moved, but immediately signed back up for AT&T Fiber when she was back in a service area.
Of course, not all customers are as sunny. One in Oak Park, Illinois, says that while it’s a good deal, it’s similar to other ISPs they’ve used. He also expressed frustration with the Wi-Fi extender but said he hasn’t experienced major outages or other problems and that AT&T is still better than the alternatives in town.
“I would say their internet is reliable. It’s been relatively trouble free. The pricing has been stable.” —Jane Collins
Want AT&T Internet? Find it in your area
If you like the sound of AT&T Internet’s high speeds, reliable service, strong customer support, and good dollar value, enter your zip code below and the Reviews.org address checker will tell you if it’s available in your area
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Written by
Ajay Kumar
Ajay has worked in tech journalism for over a decade as a reporter, analyst, and editor. He's currently contributing to Digital Trends, PCMag, Reviews.org, Bob Vila, and other publications. He started as a tech reporter at Newsweek, breaking Android news, and worked at PCMag as a Mobile Analyst, reviewing hundreds of smartphones, tablets, carriers, hotspots, and other consumer tech products.He worked at Lifewire as a Tech Commerce Editor, putting together tested best-of lists and assigning product reviews across various hardware and software categories like home networking, mobile, PCs, gaming, parental control products, and VPNs. Previously, he was Section Editor, Mobile at Digital Trends, spearheading his team's coverage of breaking news, features, reviews, roundups, deals, evergreen, how-to guides, and more.In his most recent roles, he’s worked in content marketing for a B2B SaaS company and as a PR at an AI startup. As an avid tech enthusiast and traveler, Ajay loves tinkering with the gaming PC he built, adding new smart home devices to his apartment, and scoping out ancient ruins in new countries.
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