AT&T vs. Northwest Communications
Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side
Check which is available at your address
Whether you’re researching AT&T vs. Northwest Communications internet service at your current address, comparing internet options for potential locations, or just researching alternatives, this detailed comparison will help you understand which provider best suits you.
Which is better, AT&T or Northwest Communications?
Northwest Communications is faster where you can get it, but AT&T reaches 5,241 times as many people, so at most addresses AT&T is the one on offer (and it is cheaper to start). Where both are offered (about 33,655 people), Northwest Communications has the faster top speed for 100% of homes.
| AT&T |
|---|
 |
| Price: $55.00 - $245.00 / mo. |
| Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber |
Rating (Reviews):  (1,051) |
| Northwest Communications |
|---|
 |
| Price: $59.95 - $199.95 / mo. |
| Speed: 100 - 5,000 Mbps |
| Internet Type: Fiber and cable |
Rating (Reviews):  (0) |
AT&T vs. Northwest Communications at a glance
| Measure | AT&T |
Northwest Communications |
|---|---|---|
| Available to | 249.3 million people in 49 states | 47,575 people in 1 state |
| Main technology | Fixed wireless 90%, DSL 45%, fiber 30% | Fiber 100%, cable 27% |
| Top download speed filed with the FCC | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps |
| Fastest plan we list | 5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up | 5,000 Mbps down, 1,000 Mbps up |
| Starting price | $40 a month (promotional), then $55 | $59.95 a month |
| Cheapest plan, first 2 years | Not listed | $1,439 (25 Mbps plan) |
| Customer rating | 3.6 of 5 (1,032 reviews) | No reviews yet |
| Rated for speed | 3.8 of 5 | No reviews yet |
| Rated for price | 3.5 of 5 | No reviews yet |
| Where both are offered | About 33,655 people (71% of Northwest Communications's area); Northwest Communications is faster for 100% of them | |
Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.
Where AT&T and Northwest Communications are available
AT&T and Northwest Communications have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.
Both Providers Available | AT&T Available | Northwest Communications Available | No Coverage
AT&T currently offers internet service in 40,799 cities and 2,919 counties across 49 states, reaching approximately 252,920,477 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Los Angeles, CA; Chicago, IL; and Dallas, TX.
Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: AT&T coverage map and Northwest Communications coverage map.
Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether AT&T, Northwest Communications or both are offered at your home.
AT&T vs. Northwest Communications Speeds and Technology
AT&T and Northwest Communications utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.
In terms of potential speeds across the country, Northwest Communications offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 4,798 Mbps compared to AT&T’s average speed of 1,352 Mbps.
The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. AT&T’s premium Fiber service reaches 29.1% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Northwest Communications’s top-tier Fiber is available to 95.9% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.
AT&T vs. Northwest Communications Plans and Prices
Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for AT&T and Northwest Communications, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.
Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.
AT&T Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 300 (Fiber 300) | $55.00 | 300 Mbps | 300 Mbps | Fiber |
| AT&T Internet (DSL) | $60.00 | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | DSL |
| AT&T Internet Air | $65.00 | 225 Mbps | 10 Mbps | Fixed Wireless |
| Internet 500 (Fiber 500) | $65.00 | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
| Internet 1000 (Fiber 1 Gig) | $80.00 | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Internet 2000 (Fiber 2 Gig) | $145.00 | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Internet 5000 (Fiber 5 Gig) | $245.00 | 5000 Mbps | 5000 Mbps | Fiber |
Sourced directly from AT&T's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified November 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.
Northwest Communications Internet Plans & Pricing
| Plan | Monthly Price | Typical Download Speed | Typical Upload Speed | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable 25 Mbps | $59.95 | 25 Mbps | 5 Mbps | Cable |
| GigaMax 100 | $69.95 | 100 Mbps | 50 Mbps | Fiber |
| Cable 50 Mbps | $79.95 | 50 Mbps | 50 Mbps | Cable |
| GigaMax 250 | $89.95 | 250 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Fiber |
| GigaMax 500 | $109.95 | 500 Mbps | 200 Mbps | Fiber |
| Cable 100 Mbps | $119.95 | 100 Mbps | 10 Mbps | Cable |
| GigaMax 1000 | $149.95 | 1000 Mbps | 400 Mbps | Fiber |
| GigaMax 5000 | $199.95 | 5000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | Fiber |
Sourced directly from Northwest Communications's FCC-mandated machine-readable broadband label data, last verified June 2026. These provider-reported typical speeds reflect plan-specific expectations, while speed metrics elsewhere on our site measure maximum available performance across areas. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.
Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.
Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.
AT&T vs. Northwest Communications Customer Ratings and Reviews
Compare how real customers rate AT&T and Northwest Communications based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.
AT&T vs. Northwest Communications Fees and Details
Beyond advertised monthly rates, additional fees and service details significantly impact your total internet costs. The tables below outline equipment charges, installation fees, contract terms, data caps, and other important factors to consider when comparing these providers. Understanding these details helps you avoid unexpected costs and choose the plan that offers the best overall value.
AT&T Service
Fee
Activation Fee
$35.00
Installation Fee
$150.00
Northwest Communications Service
Fee
FIBER INSTALL
$300.00
Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.
When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.
AT&T vs. Northwest Communications Pros and Cons
AT&T
From 593 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.
Pros
- Fast speeds: praised in 236 of 593 written reviews (122 call it slow). "they are the best in network speed"
- Reliable connection: praised in 211 of 593 written reviews (98 report outages). "They are very reliable and accountable"
- Good value: praised in 157 of 593 written reviews (107 call it overpriced). "overall, it's been worth it for the quality"
Cons
- Bills that go up: a complaint in 64 of 593 written reviews; its starting price rises from $40 to $55 after the promotion. "my rates increased dramatically"
- Equipment problems: a complaint in 34 of 593 written reviews (15 praise the equipment). "issues with our Wifi connection not being strong enough"
- Weak or patchy service: a complaint in 33 of 593 written reviews (24 praise the signal). "connectivity issues, especially when it rains"
Northwest Communications
No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.
Pros
- Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 100% of those homes.
Cons
AT&T vs. Northwest Communications Top Cities
AT&T serves 40,799 cities while Northwest Communications is available in 35 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.
AT&T Cities
- Availability: 91.49%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,613 Mbps
- Availability: 96.90%
- Avg. Download Speed: 1,256 Mbps
- Availability: 92.30%
- Avg. Download Speed: 3,066 Mbps
- Availability: 93.48%
- Avg. Download Speed: 3,487 Mbps
- Availability: 97.47%
- Avg. Download Speed: 3,019 Mbps
Overlapping Cities
- AT&T Avg. Speed: 200 Mbps
- Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 4,973 Mbps
- AT&T Avg. Speed: 26 Mbps
- Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 4,926 Mbps
- AT&T Avg. Speed: 51 Mbps
- Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
- AT&T Avg. Speed: 49 Mbps
- Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 4,958 Mbps
- AT&T Avg. Speed: 35 Mbps
- Northwest Communications Avg. Speed: 5,000 Mbps
Northwest Communications Cities
- Availability: 0.87%
- Avg. Download Speed: 4,779 Mbps
- Availability: 96.49%
- Avg. Download Speed: 4,579 Mbps
- Availability: 99.18%
- Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps
- Availability: 100.00%
- Avg. Download Speed: 4,700 Mbps
- Availability: 99.91%
- Avg. Download Speed: 5,000 Mbps