AT&T Vs Frontier: Is Frontier Internet Better Than AT&T Fiber Internet For Residential Customers In 2024?

Internet service plays a crucial role in keeping our personal and professional lives connected. Whether it’s streaming HD videos, participating in virtual meetings, or playing online games, having a reliable, fast, and cost-effective internet connection is no longer a luxury but a necessity. As of 2024, two major players in the U.S. broadband market—AT&T and Frontier—are leading the charge.

But in the competition of AT&T vs Frontier, which internet provider has the lead? If you’ve been scratching your head, comparing plan details, reading reviews, and still can’t decide, you’re in the right place. I’ll break it all down for you, looking at everything from pricing and speeds to hidden fees, gaming performance, and customer satisfaction. Ready? Let’s dive in.

How Does AT&T Vs Frontier Home Internet Compare In a Head-to-Head Comparison?

At first glance, both AT&T and Frontier offer solid fiber internet options, but there are some key differences you’ll want to pay attention to before committing.

AT&T Internet:

AT&T is a leading telecommunications company in the United States, offering a wide range of services including wireless, internet, and TV. With 15.3 million subscribers, AT&T is known for its extensive coverage and reliable internet service. They offer various fiber internet plans with different speeds and pricing options to cater to diverse customer needs. AT&T consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction surveys, demonstrating its commitment to providing a positive user experience.

Pros:

• Wide fiber availability across 25 states, including large metropolitan areas.
• Symmetric speeds (matching upload and download rates), perfect for activities like streaming, video calls, and online gaming.
• No data caps on fiber plans, making it ideal for heavy data users.
• No contract on all fiber internet plans, giving customers the freedom to switch without penalties.
• Strong customer satisfaction, consistently earning top marks in J.D. Power’s surveys.

Cons:

• Pricing is on the higher side, particularly for the multi-gigabit plans like the 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps options.
• Limited availability of the highest speeds—like the 5 Gbps plan is only available in select areas.
• Installation and equipment fees can be hefty, adding to the overall cost of the service.

Frontier Internet:

Frontier Communications, a Fortune 500 company with roots dating back to 1935, has a long history in the telecommunications sector. They offer a range of services including broadband internet, digital TV, and phone services. Frontier is committed to expanding its fiber-optic network, aiming to provide high-speed internet to residential and business customers. While their DSL service has faced criticism, their fiber-optic plans have gained attention for their competitive speeds and pricing. Frontier Fiber internet is currently available in 25 states, with plans offering speeds up to 5 Gbps.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing for fiber internet plans, often lower than AT&T for comparable speeds.
• No data caps across all fiber plans, allowing for unlimited streaming, gaming, and downloads.
• Symmetric speeds with gigabit and multi-gigabit options, matching AT&T’s offerings.
• No annual contracts for fiber plans, giving users flexibility.
• Includes Wi-Fi routers like the Amazon Eero in most plans, which eliminates the need for separate equipment purchases.

Cons:

• Customer service has been historically poor, although there has been some improvement in recent years.
• Price increases after the first year, which can be frustrating for long-term users.
• Limited rural availability, even though Frontier has made some strides in expanding coverage.

Comparison of Frontier Vs AT&T Pricing And Internet Plans

AT&T Internet: Pricing Structure And Internet Speeds:

AT&T offers a range of fiber plans, starting from 300 Mbps and going all the way up to 5 Gbps. The company is known for its consistent performance and reliable speeds, but that often comes at a higher cost compared to Frontier.

Here’s a closer look at AT&T’s fiber pricing in 2024:

One of AT&T’s key strengths is its symmetrical upload and download speeds, which makes it an ideal option for households that upload a lot of content or have multiple users streaming, gaming, and working from home simultaneously. Another bonus is that these plans come with no data caps, so heavy internet users don’t have to worry about exceeding limits.

Another great thing about AT&T fiber internet plans is that the actual speed provided by the company is even higher than what is advertised. In my view, this is one of the biggest perks of AT&T. Here are the actual speeds of AT&T plans:

Frontier Internet Deals: Plans And Pricing:

Frontier’s fiber plans, on the other hand, come with more budget-friendly options, especially at the 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps levels. While Frontier may not have the same top-end reputation as AT&T, its lower prices make it an attractive option for those looking to save money without sacrificing too much speed.

Frontier’s fiber pricing for 2024 looks like this:

So, Is AT&T Cheaper Than Frontier?

If pricing is your top priority, Frontier typically has the upper hand in most tiers, especially in the 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps plans. For example, Frontier’s Fiber 500 is about $20 cheaper per month than AT&T’s similar plan, and their Fiber 1 Gbps plan is $15 cheaper than AT&T’s equivalent plan. For people needing top-tier speeds, Frontier’s Fiber 5 Gbps plan also undercuts AT&T’s equivalent by about $50 a month.

Additional Costs Comparison: Frontier Vs AT&T

Equipment Cost: AT&T Vs Frontier

AT&T charges $10/month for equipment rental (the Wi-Fi gateway). This is pretty standard across the industry, and while you can use your own equipment to avoid the fee, that could be an extra upfront cost if you don’t already own a compatible router.

Frontier includes the cost of the Wi-Fi router in their plans, so there’s no separate equipment fee. This gives them a slight advantage over AT&T if you’re looking to minimize recurring costs.

Professional Installation Fee: AT&T Vs Frontier

AT&T: Charges a one-time $99 installation fee for a professional setup. However, AT&T offers a self-installation option that comes at no extra charge, which can be a great way to save money if you’re comfortable setting things up on your own.

Frontier: Frontier’s installation fee is $75, and it may be waived as part of promotional deals. However, the availability of these promotions can vary, so it’s always a good idea to ask about them when signing up.

Data Caps And Contracts (Early Termination Fee): Frontier Vs AT&T

AT&T offers no data caps on any of its fiber plans, which is a huge benefit if you’re a heavy internet user. Additionally, AT&T’s fiber plans are contract-free, so there’s no need to worry about an early termination fee (ETF) if you decide to switch providers. Frontier also offers unlimited data on its fiber plans, which is a huge plus for the same reasons as AT&T.

Frontier, on the other hand, offers some fiber plans without contracts, but certain promotions and plans do come with a contract, typically for 12 months. These plans often include sign-up bonuses like reward cards or discounted installation, but the trade-off is that you’re locked into a service agreement for a specified period.

If you decide to cancel your service before the contract ends, you may be charged an early termination fee (ETF), which can be as high as $100 depending on the remaining time in your contract.

Exploring Availability And Coverage: Frontier Vs AT&T

AT&T Fiber Availability:

AT&T Fiber, known for its high speeds and reliability, is available to 38.15% of the AT&T coverage footprint, which translates to over 8 million people. In 2024, it expanded to 25 states, a significant increase from previous years. The average download and upload speed for AT&T Fiber is 4,180 Mbps, with symmetrical speeds offered across all plans.

Top cities for AT&T Fiber availability include Oshkosh, WI, Kenosha, WI, and Houston, TX, all boasting availability above 85%. While AT&T has been historically a DSL provider, its fiber availability is steadily growing, offering more customers access to high-speed internet options. 

Frontier  Coverage Map:

Frontier Fiber offers internet services in 25 states, with 1 Gig and multigigabit plans available in over 10 million locations and more than 100 metropolitan cities. Earlier, the company used to serve 30 US states, however, recently they transferred control of their lines in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana) to Ziply Fiber in 2020.

Frontier has built much of its fiber network in areas that historically lacked high-speed internet options.

Which Provider Has Better Coverage In Rural Areas: Frontier or AT&T?

In rural and semi-rural areas, Frontier holds the advantage, as they’ve invested heavily in expanding their fiber network to places underserved by other ISPs. If you’re living outside of a major city and are frustrated by slow DSL or satellite internet, Frontier’s fiber service could be your best bet.

In urban and densely populated suburbs, however, AT&T shines with its larger network and faster speeds in certain areas.

Which Is Better For Gaming AT&T or Frontier?

When choosing an internet provider for gaming, key factors like latency, speed, and reliability take center stage. Latency, or ping, is one of the most important elements because it measures how quickly data travels from your device to a game server and back. A lower latency is essential for real-time responsiveness in competitive gaming.

AT&T Fiber delivers impressive speeds and low latency, both of which are crucial for a lag-free gaming experience. In the context of gaming, latency below 20 milliseconds (ms) is considered excellent, and AT&T’s fiber plans perform well below that benchmark, as shown in the table.

AT&T’s 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps fiber plans, with latency as low as 8 ms, stand out as excellent options for gaming. The low latency and high actual speeds make AT&T a top choice for serious gamers, ensuring smooth gameplay with minimal delays, even during intense multiplayer sessions.

Customer Satisfaction Status of AT&T And Frontier In 2024

When comparing the fiber internet customer satisfaction of AT&T and Frontier, AT&T generally comes out on top in both national and industry-specific reports. Here’s a detailed AT&T vs Frontier analysis:

AT&T Fiber is consistently rated higher in customer satisfaction. According to the 2024 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), AT&T holds a top spot among fiber broadband providers with a score of 80 out of 100, repeating its high performance from the previous year. In contrast, Frontier improved its score by 3%, reaching 76, but still lags behind AT&T.

In the 2023 J.D. Power U.S. Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study, both AT&T and Frontier Communications show strong performance, especially for their fiber internet services, but AT&T ranks higher in overall customer satisfaction.

In the South region, AT&T scores 753 and is ranked second, just behind Google Fiber. Meanwhile, Frontier follows closely with a score of 738. In the West region, AT&T ranks first with a score of 732, while Frontier comes in second with 716, demonstrating strong performance but still trailing AT&T in these regions

Final Take: Is AT&T A Better Internet Service Provider Than Frontier?

The answer depends on what you value most. If you’re looking for faster speeds, better coverage in rural areas, and top-notch customer service, AT&T is likely the better choice. However, if affordability and high-speed fiber without extra costs are your priorities, Frontier is an excellent alternative, especially for urban and suburban users.