skip to main content

AT&T vs. Mediacom

  • Best for speed
    • Price: $55.00–$250.00/mo.*†‡
    • Customer rating: 3.9||
    • Speed: 225–5,000 Mbps
    • Internet type: Fiber, DSL, fixed wireless
    • Data cap: No cap; 1TB; 350GB
    • Contract: No contract
  • Best for cable
    • Price: $34.99–$54.99/mo.§
    • Customer rating: 3.3||
    • Speed: 100–1,000Mbps
    • Internet type: Cable
    • Data cap: 200–3,000GB
    • Contract: No contract

Compare AT&T and Mediacom head to head

AT&T and Mediacom rarely go head to head, but when they do, AT&T is the better long-term deal if you can get its fiber. It has faster speeds and better reliability than Mediacom’s cable internet, plus AT&T doesn’t raise your rates after 12 months or enforce data caps (fiber only) as Mediacom does. Go with AT&T if you can get it.

Pros:

  • Multi-gig fiber speeds
  • No data caps with fiber

Cons:

  • Limited availability
  • Data caps on DSL and fixed wireless
 

Pros:

  • No contracts
  • Free install when ordered online

Cons:

  • Price hikes
  • Data caps

 

 

Plans and pricing: AT&T vs. Mediacom

AT&T provides fiber internet and Mediacom has cable, so your choices really boil down to the type of internet connections you can get. But keep in mind Mediacom has price hikes after the first year whereas AT&T doesn’t.

AT&T plans and pricing

PackagePriceSpeed*TypeOrder online
Internet 300$55.00/mo.*300MbpsFiberView Plans
Internet 500$65.00/mo.*500MbpsFiberView Plans
Internet 1 Gig$80.00/mo.1,000MbpsFiberView Plans
Internet 2 Gig$150.00/mo.2,000MbpsFiberView Plans
Internet 5 Gig$250.00/mo.5,000MbpsFiberView Plans
Internet Air$55.00/mo.75–225MbpsFixed wireless/5GView Plans

AT&T has one of the fastest home fiber plans you can get at 5,000Mbps, but it ain’t cheap. Its slower plans are very affordable, though, and don’t increase in price after a specific period. You can cancel your fiber service at any time without worrying about early termination fees.

And while AT&T is available in many areas, very few of these areas are wired for fiber. You may see its fixed wireless internet instead if there’s no other wired connection in your area.

Mediacom plans and pricing

PackagePriceSpeedInternet typeOrder online
Prime Internet 100$34.99/mo.*100MbpsCableView Plans
Prime Internet 300$49.99/mo.*300MbpsCableView Plans
Prime Internet 1 Gig$54.99/mo.*1,000MbpsCableView Plans
PackagePrime Internet 100
Price$34.99/mo.*
Speed100Mbps
Internet typeCable
Order onlineView Plans
PackagePrime Internet 300
Price$49.99/mo.*
Speed300Mbps
Internet typeCable
Order onlineView Plans
PackagePrime Internet 1 Gig
Price$54.99/mo.*
Speed1,000Mbps
Internet typeCable
Order onlineView Plans

Mediacom is a decent megabits-per-dollar value during the first 12 months. Its gigabit plan is a steal when we compare it to similar plans offered by cable internet rivals Spectrum and Xfinity. But the price skyrockets after the first year—up to $85 more, depending on where you live. Ouch.

Another caveat is the data cap Mediacom enforces on each plan. AT&T doesn’t inflate your prices after 12 months, nor does it have data caps on its fiber plans, making it the better long-term deal. On the flip side, AT&T’s fiber rarely competes with Mediacom in the same space, so you’ll likely only see AT&T’s fixed wireless service overlapping Mediacom’s cable internet.

Extra fees: AT&T vs. Mediacom

Equipment feeInstallation feeOther fees
AT&T
  • $10.00/mo. for modem/router
  • Up to $99.00 for pro install (covered on many plans)
  • Free for self-install
  • $10 per 50 GB when you exceed data cap (DSL, fixed wireless only)
  • $15.00/mo. (early termination, contract plans only)
  • Up to $9.00 late payment fee
  • Mediacom
  • $13.00/mo. modem rental
  • Free router
  • $10.00/mo. Xtream WiFi360pro mesh kit (optional)
  • $6.00/mo. per WiFi360pro extender (optional)
  • $16.50/mo. Xtreme Wi-Fi 360 system (optional)
  • Up to $109.99 for standard install
  • Free self-install
  • $29.99 Extreme Wi-Fi Extender installation fee
  • $10 per 50 GB when you exceed data cap
  • $10.00 activation fee
  • $5.00 phone processing fee (with rep)
  • $2.00 account reactivation
  • $10.00 late payment fee
  • $29.99 insufficient funds charge
  • $15.00/mo. Internet surcharge
  • Up to $240 early termination fee
  • AT&T
    Equipment fee
  • $10.00/mo. for modem/router
  • Installation fee
  • Up to $99.00 for pro install (covered on many plans)
  • Free for self-install
  • Other fees
  • $10 per 50 GB when you exceed data cap (DSL, fixed wireless only)
  • $15.00/mo. (early termination, contract plans only)
  • Up to $9.00 late payment fee
  • Mediacom
    Equipment fee
  • $13.00/mo. modem rental
  • Free router
  • $10.00/mo. Xtream WiFi360pro mesh kit (optional)
  • $6.00/mo. per WiFi360pro extender (optional)
  • $16.50/mo. Xtreme Wi-Fi 360 system (optional)
  • Installation fee
  • Up to $109.99 for standard install
  • Free self-install
  • $29.99 Extreme Wi-Fi Extender installation fee
  • Other fees
  • $10 per 50 GB when you exceed data cap
  • $10.00 activation fee
  • $5.00 phone processing fee (with rep)
  • $2.00 account reactivation
  • $10.00 late payment fee
  • $29.99 insufficient funds charge
  • $15.00/mo. Internet surcharge
  • Up to $240 early termination fee
  • Technically, both AT&T and Mediacom have data caps, but AT&T’s caps only apply to its DSL and fixed wireless internet, not its fiber. Both charge $10 for every 50GB you go over your monthly data allowance. Other than that, expect to pay high prices for pro installation and the typically-priced fees for equipment rentals.

    Customer ratings: AT&T vs. Mediacom

    OverallReliabilityCustomer
    service
    SpeedPrice
    AT&T 3.93.83.83.93.7
    Mediacom 3.33.43.43.72.9

    AT&T ranks fourth in overall satisfaction among the 15 national internet providers in our latest customer satisfaction survey. Its strongest rating is in price satisfaction, with a score better than the national average in terms of no price hikes. AT&T ranks in the top four across all other categories, including speed satisfaction, where it pulls far ahead of Mediacom in meeting speed needs and delivering advertised speeds.

    Mediacom ranks in the bottom half of every category in our customer satisfaction survey. It ranks best in speed, placing it eleventh out of 15 internet providers. Its weakest link is in price satisfaction, landing it near rock bottom and just ahead of Optimum. Mediacom’s introductory prices are great, but it has some of the highest price hikes we’ve seen, hence the low score.

    Best TV and internet bundles

    Internet speedTV channelsPriceOrder online
    DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT
    + AT&T Fiber Internet 300
    Up to 300Mbps75+$124.99/mo. *View Plans
    DIRECTV CHOICE All-Included Package
    + AT&T Fiber Internet 300
    Up to 300Mbps105+$129.99/mo. *View Plans
    Prime Internet 300 + Essential TVUp to 300Mbps125+$99.99/mo. View Plans
    Prime Internet 1 Gig + Essential TVUp to 1,000Mbps125+$104.99/mo. View Plans
    DIRECTV ENTERTAINMENT
    + AT&T Fiber Internet 300
    Internet speedUp to 300Mbps
    TV channels75+
    Price$124.99/mo. *
    Order onlineView Plans
    DIRECTV CHOICE All-Included Package
    + AT&T Fiber Internet 300
    Internet speedUp to 300Mbps
    TV channels105+
    Price$129.99/mo. *
    Order onlineView Plans
    Prime Internet 300 + Essential TV
    Internet speedUp to 300Mbps
    TV channels125+
    Price$99.99/mo.
    Order onlineView Plans
    Prime Internet 1 Gig + Essential TV
    Internet speedUp to 1,000Mbps
    TV channels125+
    Price$104.99/mo.
    Order onlineView Plans

    AT&T doesn’t bundle TV with its fiber internet even though we list bundles above. Instead, you can sign up for DIRECTV through AT&T to complement its fiber internet. There are no perks or discounts as seen with traditional TV and internet bundles.

    Mediacom’s pricing for its gigabit plan and Variety TV includes a few extra perks than its other bundles, like the XtreamHD receiver. As with its standard internet service, its bundled plans go up in price after the first year, so be wary about what you tack on after you sign up.

    Internet types: AT&T vs. Mediacom

    Internet typeOrder online
    AT&T
  • DSL
  • Fiber
  • Fixed wireless
  • View Plans
    Mediacom
  • Cable
  • View Plans
    AT&T
    Internet type
  • DSL
  • Fiber
  • Fixed wireless
  • Order onlineView Plans
    Mediacom
    Internet type
  • Cable
  • Order onlineView Plans

    DSL uses existing telephone lines to deliver internet to your home or office. It’s the slowest of the three types, with speeds of up to 140Mbps. AT&T does not offer DSL service to new customers.

    Fiber is currently the fastest connection you can get. The maximum is 10,000Mbps both ways, but the fastest AT&T enables right now is 5,000Mbps. Cable internet is just as capable, but the most download speed you’ll see right now is 2,000Mbps. Mediacom’s fastest plan is half that.

    AT&T is the only provider of the two with fixed wireless. This connection type uses transmitters to send and receive internet signals and is the best connection over satellite internet if you can’t get a landline connection.

    Data caps: AT&T vs. Mediacom

    Data capsOrder online
    AT&T
  • No cap for fiber
  • 1TB for DSL up to 75Mbps
  • 350GB for fixed wireless
  • View Plans
    Mediacom
  • 200GB (100Mbps plan)
  • 1,000GB (300Mbps plan)
  • 3,000GB (1,000Mbps plan)
  • View Plans
    AT&T
    Data caps
  • No cap for fiber
  • 1TB for DSL up to 75Mbps
  • 350GB for fixed wireless
  • Order onlineView Plans
    Mediacom
    Data caps
  • 200GB (100Mbps plan)
  • 1,000GB (300Mbps plan)
  • 3,000GB (1,000Mbps plan)
  • Order onlineView Plans

    As the chart shows, AT&T and Mediacom enforce data caps. The only exception is AT&T’s fiber, which (thankfully) doesn’t have data caps. Otherwise, expect to pay $10 for every 50GB you go over your monthly allowance.

    Contracts: AT&T vs. Mediacom

    Contract lengthOrder online
    AT&T
  • No contract
  • View Plans
    Mediacom
  • No contract
  • View Plans
    AT&T
    Contract length
  • No contract
  • Order onlineView Plans
    Mediacom
    Contract length
  • No contract
  • Order onlineView Plans

    AT&T’s internet plans come with no annual contracts, so you can cancel any time. Mediacom doesn’t require a contract either, but there are one- to three-year options.

    Installation: AT&T vs. Mediacom

    Installation optionsOrder online
    AT&T
  • Up to $99.00 for pro install
  • Free for self-install
  • View Plans
    Mediacom
  • Up to $109.99 for standard install
  • Free self-install
  • $29.99 Extreme Wi-Fi Extender installation fee
  • View Plans
    AT&T
    Installation options
  • Up to $99.00 for pro install
  • Free for self-install
  • Order onlineView Plans
    Mediacom
    Installation options
  • Up to $109.99 for standard install
  • Free self-install
  • $29.99 Extreme Wi-Fi Extender installation fee
  • Order onlineView Plans

    Don’t be fooled by AT&T’s cheap self-install option. We’re talking about fiber internet here, so your home or office must be wired for fiber internet already. If it’s not, a pro comes out and installs fiber from the street. Self-installing AT&T fiber usually consists of connecting a single gateway.

    The same is true with Mediacom’s cable internet: It needs to be present in your home or office already to use the self-install option—which probably means just connecting a modem and router (or mesh system).

    Availability: AT&T vs. Mediacom

    AT&T’s fiber internet has a large presence in the Eastern and Central time zones except in the Northeast, where Verizon dominates the area from Virginia to Massachusetts. It has some fiber in Texas, too, and in California’s major metropolitan areas.

    Mediacom’s cable internet mostly resides in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. There’s some Mediacom cable scattered across the South and in Deleware, too, but you’ll rarely see it overlap with AT&T’s fiber internet.

    AT&T’s fixed wireless also resides in the Eastern and Central time zones. It has a larger presence than AT&T’s fiber and Mediacom’s cable, although right now, AT&T’s fixed wireless doesn’t normally overlap Mediacom.

    Is AT&T and Mediacom in your area?

    Enter your zip code to see all the plans and speeds that are available to you.

    Final call: AT&T vs. Mediacom

    AT&T’s fiber internet is the best you can get if it’s available in your area. With no contracts, no data caps, and great long-term pricing, it’s a far better deal than Mediacom’s cable internet, hands down.

    Honestly, we’re on the fence about Mediacom, even if it’s your only option when fiber isn’t available to you. With its price hikes, data caps, and low ratings in our recent customer satisfaction survey, suggesting Mediacom is difficult. Is it better than DSL? In speed, yes, but is it worth the cost? That depends on your budget. You may be better off signing up with AT&T’s fixed wireless if it’s available to you.

    Author -

    Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.

    Editor - Cara Haynes

    Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.

    Find Providers in Your Area