Internet Service Providers
Top Companies in 2026
AT&T vs Viasat
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- Symmetrical speeds on fiber service
- No contracts required
- Included gateway with most fiber plans
- Smart Home Manager app
- Flexible plans for different usage needs and budgets
- Option for contract-free service on select plans
- Professional installation and dedicated satellite equipment setup
- Available in rural and remote areas where many providers don’t operate
- Business plans available for primary or backup connectivity
- Service quality varies by location
- Multi-gig tiers have higher monthly costs
- Prices depend on AutoPay and paperless billing
- Fixed wireless speeds can slow during busy hours
- Speeds and performance can be inconsistent, especially during peak times or bad weather
- Data prioritization can slow speeds after high-speed allowances are used
- Customer service feedback and responsiveness are mixed across review platforms
- Higher monthly costs than many wired internet options
AT&T is a long-established U.S. telecommunications provider founded in 1885 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, offering home internet through a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and legacy copper connections that vary by location. Their fiber service is the strongest part of their lineup, delivering symmetrical speeds, unlimited data, multi-gig tiers, and equipment like the All-Fi Hub gateway and optional Wi-Fi extenders to support streaming, remote work, and households with many connected devices. For addresses without fiber, Internet Air provides a fixed wireless alternative powered by their 5G network, allowing customers to get online without extensive installation. They also offer bundling discounts for wireless customers and access to the Smart Home Manager app for easier network control. Customer feedback differs widely across markets, with fiber users generally reporting more consistent speeds than those on older networks. AT&T carries an A+ business rating from the Better Business Bureau, although they are not accredited. If you want a deeper look at their plans, pricing, features, and real-world performance, the full review breaks down what this provider offers and where their service may or may not fit your home’s specific needs.
Viasat is a U.S.-based satellite internet provider founded in 1986 and headquartered in Carlsbad, California. They focus on delivering broadband access to rural, suburban, and underserved areas where cable and fiber service are limited, while also supporting businesses, remote sites, and travelers through their broader global communications network. Their internet lineup includes flexible residential plans, contract-free options on select services, bundled VoIP phone offerings, and dedicated business solutions that can function as either primary service or backup connectivity. Viasat has continued to expand their reach, including through major moves such as their acquisition of Inmarsat in 2023, strengthening their international satellite capacity. Customer feedback shows a mix of appreciation for availability and coverage in remote locations, alongside concerns about pricing, speed consistency, and support experiences. As one of the few providers capable of bringing broadband to hard-to-serve regions, they play a notable role in bridging connectivity gaps. Readers exploring this provider can expect a blend of strengths, tradeoffs, and unique capabilities worth understanding in more detail throughout the full review.
- Customer Service : Fair
- Mobile Service : True
- Online Billing : True
- Served Areas : 21 states
- Customer Service : Fair
- Mobile Service : False
- Online Billing : True
- Served Areas : 50 states (nationwide, with concentration in rural and underserved regions)
- No data caps for Fiber Internet
- Fast multi-gig fiber tiers in select markets
- Internet Air option for homes without wired service
- Ongoing bundle discounts for wireless customers
- No data caps
- Unique enterprise and industrial services
- Aviation internet
- Desktop Application
- FAQs
- Help Center
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Ticket
- Desktop Application
- —Undisclosed
- FAQs
- Help Center
- Help Guides
- Live Chat—Undisclosed
- Mobile Application
- Phone
- Ticket—Undisclosed
- Business Internet
- Fibre Internet
- Rural Internet
- Satellite Internet
- Wireless Home Internet
- Business Internet
- Fibre Internet
- Rural Internet
- Satellite Internet
- Wireless Home Internet
- 4G
- 5G
- 4G
- 5G
- Android
- iOS
- Android
- iOS
AT&T vs. Viasat
Choosing between AT&T and Viasat usually means deciding between two very different internet technologies. AT&T focuses on fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless services in populated areas, while Viasat exists to serve places where wired internet is not realistically available.
This comparison is designed for readers trying to understand not just which provider is faster, but which one actually makes sense based on location, usage needs, and long-term cost.
Speeds and availability
AT&T’s availability depends heavily on the service type. AT&T Fiber is limited to select cities and suburbs, but delivers symmetrical speeds that scale from everyday household use up to multi-gig levels. In areas without fiber, AT&T Internet Air, their fixed wireless service, is expanding in metro and suburban locations using their cellular network. Legacy AT&T DSL still exists in some regions but is no longer widely promoted due to lower performance. AT&T Fiber and Internet Air both include unlimited data.
Viasat is available almost everywhere in the continental U.S., including rural and remote areas where fiber, cable, and fixed wireless options are unavailable. Their service relies on geostationary satellites, which allows broad coverage but limits speed and responsiveness. Advertised download speeds generally range from basic tiers suitable for email and browsing to higher tiers designed for streaming, though real-world performance can vary depending on network congestion and weather conditions. Data allowances are limited on most plans.
Reliability and performance
AT&T Fiber delivers consistent speeds, very low latency, and strong performance during peak hours due to its direct fiber connections. It is well-suited for remote work, gaming, and households with multiple connected devices. AT&T Internet Air can perform well for streaming and general use, but speeds may fluctuate depending on cellular network congestion and signal strength. Overall, AT&T’s newer services are designed for stability and modern usage demands.
Viasat’s performance is shaped by satellite technology. Latency is significantly higher than that of fiber or wireless services, which affects real-time activities such as gaming and video conferencing. Speeds can also slow down during busy periods, especially in densely subscribed regions. While newer satellites have improved capacity, satellite internet remains more sensitive to weather and network load compared to terrestrial services.
Pricing and value
AT&T Fiber pricing is relatively straightforward. Advertised rates typically start around $55 per month for lower speed tiers and range up to about $250 per month for multi-gig plans, with no data caps and no annual contracts. AT&T Internet Air is usually priced around $55 per month with AutoPay, includes unlimited data, and often comes with equipment included. Long-term costs tend to remain stable compared to providers that rely heavily on promotional pricing.
Viasat’s pricing reflects the challenges of satellite delivery. Entry-level plans often start around $99 per month, with higher speed or priority data plans costing significantly more. Most plans include soft data caps, meaning speeds may be reduced after a certain usage threshold. Equipment fees and long-term service commitments are common, which can increase total cost over time. Viasat is rarely the cheapest option, but it may be the only viable one in certain locations.
Conclusion
AT&T is the clear choice for households in areas where fiber or fixed wireless service is available, offering better performance, lower latency, and more predictable pricing. Viasat fills an important role for rural and remote users who cannot access wired or cellular-based internet, even though performance and cost trade-offs are significant. If AT&T service is available at your address, it will meet far more modern internet needs. If not, Viasat may be the only practical way to stay connected. Checking local availability is the most important step before deciding.