AT&T vs. Wave Internet

Which is better where you live? Coverage, speed, price and customer ratings, side by side

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Whether you’re researching AT&T vs. Wave Internet 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.

Maintained by:Carson WardData & methodology:Wes WardLast updated:October 24, 2026November 4, 2026

Which is better, AT&T or Wave Internet?

Wave Internet is faster and cheaper to start where you can get it, but AT&T reaches 455 times as many people, so at most addresses AT&T is the one on offer. Where both are offered (about 338,804 people), Wave Internet has the faster top speed for 32% of homes.

FasterWave InternetFaster for 32% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startWave InternetFrom $30 a month, vs $40.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (1,032 and 0).

Available to more peopleAT&T249.3 million people in 49 states, vs 548,138 in 1 state.

AT&T

Price: $55.00 - $245.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 5,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (1,051)
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Wave Internet

Price: $30.00 - $175.00 / mo.
Speed: 100 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (0)
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AT&T vs. Wave Internet at a glance

Measure	AT&T	Wave Internet
Available to	249.3 million people in 49 states	548,138 people in 1 state
Main technology	Fixed wireless 90%, DSL 45%, fiber 30%	Fixed wireless 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	5,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	5,000 Mbps down, 5,000 Mbps up	5,000 Mbps
Starting price	$40 a month (promotional), then $55	$30 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	Not listed	$720 (300 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 338,804 people (62% of Wave Internet's area); Wave Internet is faster for 32% of them, the same top speed for 65%

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 Wave Internet are available

AT&T and Wave Internet 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 | Wave Internet 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 Wave Internet coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether AT&T, Wave Internet or both are offered at your home.

AT&T vs. Wave Internet Speeds and Technology

AT&T and Wave Internet 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, AT&T offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,352 Mbps compared to Wave Internet’s average speed of 101 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, Wave Internet’s top-tier Fiber is available to 0.1% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

AT&T vs. Wave Internet Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for AT&T and Wave Internet, 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.

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Wave Internet Plans & Pricing

Plan	Monthly Price	Typical Download Speed	Typical Upload Speed	Connection Type
300 Mbps Internet	$30.00	300 Mbps	Not listed	Fixed Wireless
1 Gig Internet	$40.00	1000 Mbps	Not listed	Fixed Wireless
1.5 Gig Internet	$60.00	1500 Mbps	Not listed	Fixed Wireless
2 GIG Internet	$80.00	2000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber
5 GIG Internet	$175.00	5000 Mbps	Not listed	Fiber

Compiled from current advertised pricing across industry sources, last verified June 2026. Typical speeds shown are the advertised tier speeds. Pricing is subject to change and may not be available in all areas.

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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. Wave Internet Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate AT&T and Wave Internet based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

AT&T Ratings & Reviews

Connection

Customer Rating

Fiber

(542)

DSL

(304)

Fixed Wireless

(205)

AT&T has an overall rating of 3.65 out of 5, with a total of 1051 reviews and ratings across the United States. Their overall satisfaction score places them slightly higher than other internet providers nationwide.

Looking deeper into AT&T’s ratings, their Fiber service (52% of reviews) averages 3.87 / 5 stars, lower than their overall company rating. This similarity suggests that customers tend to have consistent experiences across their different service offerings, an important consideration for customers evaluating different service options from this provider.

For detailed reviews, visit our AT&T Internet Reviews page.

AT&T vs. Wave Internet 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

Wave Internet Service

Fee

Not Provided by Wave Internet

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. Wave Internet 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"

Wave Internet

No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.

Pros

Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 32% of those homes.
Cheaper to start: $30 a month, vs $40 from AT&T.

Cons

AT&T vs. Wave Internet Top Cities

AT&T serves 40,799 cities while Wave Internet is available in 379 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.