AT&T is well known for being the most expensive of the major carriers. The average monthly bill for AT&T is over $80. And it’s not unheard of for people to pay hundreds of dollars per month when you add on phone installment plans and multiple lines. So it makes sense that AT&T subscribers may be looking for a way to save on their monthly phone bills. 

Spectrum Mobile offers two affordable plan options starting at $14. The catch is, however, you already have to be a Spectrum Internet customer. 

In this carrier showdown, we break down the difference between Spectrum Mobile vs. AT&T to help you decide the best option for you. 

Spectrum

If you are already a Spectrum Internet customer or plan to make the switch, then Spectrum. Spectrum Mobile uses the nation’s best network, and its unlimited plan starts at $20 per month cheaper than AT&T does. 

However, if you’re not a Spectrum customer, you should look elsewhere. T-Mobile is the best full-service carrier offering a vast range of different prepaid and postpaid plans. Or you can Straight Talk or another MVNO to use Verizon’s top-quality network still while saving on your monthly bill. 

Spectrum Wireless History

Spectrum Mobile is a mobile virtual network (MVNO) that uses Verizon’s existing network. It also has over 500,000 WiFi hotspots across the country you can use to save your monthly data. Spectrum launched the service in 2018 and has since made improvements like now allowing BYOD and trade-ins. 

Spectrum still has room to grow in several vital areas but is not a bad option for existing customers of the company’s internet service. 

To qualify for Spectrum Mobile, you must fulfill these criteria: 

• Already be a Spectrum Internet customer 
• Sign Up for automatic payments 
• Meet Spectrum credit requirements 

Spectrum Pros

• Reliable coverage on Verizon’s network
• Flexible and straightforward plan structure
• Affordable unlimited plan 
• All plans include unlimited talk and text
• Switch plans anytime
• Mobile hotspot 
• No interest on leased phones
• Hotspots around the US to reduce data usage
• Pretty flexible cancellation

Spectrum Cons 

• Only two plan options 
• Must be a Spectrum Internet customer 
• $20 extra per month if you cancel Spectrum
• Low data threshold of 20 GB per month before slowed down
• A limited selection of compatible phones 
• Requires credit check 
• High fees for international use 

AT&T History

AT&T Mobility traces its origins to the invention of the telephone in 1877. AT&T stands for American Telephone and Telegraph. But, the modern AT&T, along with Verizon, both came from the dismantling of the original AT&T monopoly in 1982. 

AT&T has long focused on cellular communications to become a dominant national player in the industry since the early 2000s when it was known as Cingular. The company has rebranded several times and is now officially AT&T Mobility. 

Today, AT&T primarily caters to contract postpaid customers, but also offers prepaid service under its own name. Since Spectrum does not provide prepaid services, we’ll mainly focus on postpaid services. 

AT&T Pros

• Strong reliability and coverage
• eSim compatible 
• Large selection of plans and phones
• International perks 
• Stores can be found everywhere
• TV streaming on unlimited plans 
• Perks like HboGo 

AT&T Cons

• Plans are more expensive than other carriers
• Low hotspot allotments
• Low data deprioritization limit on unlimited plans

Spectrum Mobile: Plans

Depending on who you are, the one area where you’ll say Spectrum really shines or is lacking is plans. Spectrum offers two plans that each includes unlimited talk and text: 

• By the Gig: $14 per gigabyte
• Unlimited: $45 per month

For added flexibility, you can also switch between each plan between each billing cycle. 

AT&T Plans

AT&T has prepaid and postpaid plans. Like the other major carriers, they also have a ton of different plans and ways for you to customize everything, including data, international options, adding tablets, and more. 

For prepaid: 

• 1 GB: $35 per month ($30 with Auto-pay)
• 8 GB: $50 per month ($40 with Auto-pay) 
• Unlimited: $65 ($50 with Auto-pay) 
• Unlimited + 10 GB Mobile Hotspot: $75 ($70 with Auto-pay)

These are AT&T’s postpaid plans: 

• Unlimited Starter – $65/Single Line
• Unlimited Extra – $75/Single Line
• Unlimited Elite – $85/Single Line

Note that mobile hotspot isn’t available until the Unlimited Extra, which provides 15GB of hotspot data (30 GB for Elite)

Winner: Spectrum Mobile. Spectrum Mobile is more affordable on a per-gigabyte basis than AT&T. 

Which One of These Has the Better Plans?

One of Spectrum Mobile’s most significant weaknesses is family plans. There’s a minimal incentive for you to bundle your lines together compared to standard carriers. Each unlimited cost $45, there’s no discount. You can share tiered data on multiple lines, but it’s easy to run over. For example, sharing 5 GB of data will cost you $70 plus a fee for each Line. 

AT&T does have discounts for multiple lines, but they’re not great. Two lines of unlimited data cost $120 compared to $90 with Spectrum. Of the two, Spectrum is a better value, but it’s not your best choice. 

T-Mobile and Sprint both have excellent family plans. It’s hard to beat Sprint’s 4-line unlimited plan for $100. It’s not on the best network, but it’s hard to beat that price. You can also find good deals from Cricket Wireless and Metro by T-Mobile Metro has a 2-line unlimited plan for just $70 a month. 

Winner: Spectrum. But you’ll be better off looking into one of the other carriers mentioned. 

Does Spectrum Mobile or AT&T Have a Better Network?

AT&T is often ranked number one in terms of coverage covering over 99% of Americans. With it, you can get cellular service in some truly remote places. At the same time, AT&T doesn’t do as well with performance generally coming second and third place (alternating in rankings with T-Mobile). Overall, it’s reliable nationwide coverage, which is why it continues to be the largest wireless provider in the US. 

On the other hand, Spectrum uses Verizon’s network. Verizon consistently tops the rankings for having the best performance and equivalent coverage to AT&T. On top of this, you’ll also have access to Spectrum’s 500,000 hotspots around the country, which can both save your data and increase your download speeds. 

Though Spectrum is an MVNO, there is no noticeable difference between its performance and direct Verizon customers (aside from occasional deprioritization). 

Winner: Spectrum

Spectrum Mobile vs. AT&T: BYOD

Both Spectrum and AT&T allow you to bring your own device to the network. But Spectrum is better in theory than in practice. Only recent models, unlocked Apple, Samsung, and Google phones are compatible. Even then, your phone may still not be compatible for no apparent reason, so be sure to check. 

It’s effortless to bring nearly any phone to AT&T. You can purchase a SIM kit only for $4.99 and load up a prepaid plan online or in-store. 

AT&T is also eSim compatible. You’ll need an eSim activation card, which you can also purchase in-store or order online. 

Winner: AT&T 

Is it Better to Buy or Lease Phones?

You can purchase and lease phones over installments with both carriers. Spectrum Mobile has a decent selection of phones from LG, Samsung, Apple, and Google rankings from $200-$1400. It’s not amazing, but it covers all price ranges. 

As a full-service carrier, AT&T has a vast selection of phones from the latest flagships to budget smartphones and everything in between. 

You can also lease phones from both companies without paying interest over 24-month periods. However, AT&T (like the other top carriers) does offer a ton of different promotions like free phones or buy one get free. 

The nice thing about Spectrum is that you don’t have to be tied to a lengthy contract. As long as you pay off your device, you can cancel anytime. 

Winner: AT&T. Larger selection and more promotions. 

Which Carrier Has Better Customer Service?

AT&T’s customer service is typically ranked third among the major carriers. It’s not great, but you do have a variety of channels you can reach out to them (phone, email, chat, etc.) 

Spectrum has pretty bad customer service reviews. And you can only reach out to them over the phone. There’s no online support. If you want to cancel or add lines, you’ll have to wait on the phone, possibly a long time. 

Don’t expect much help in-store either. These stores are mostly for sales purposes only. Between the two, AT&T is better, but don’t expect much from either carrier. 

Here are the toll-free numbers for both services: 

• Spectrum: 1-833-267-6094
• AT&T: 1-800-331-0500

Winner: AT&T 

Rewards and Perks

Spectrum Mobile doesn’t offer any rewards or perks. Their service is very bare-bones compared to other carriers. 

AT&T has a perks program. These aren’t going to save you any money on your monthly bill but do include some great features. 

AT&T Perks and AT&T Thanks: 

• Premium channels. If you upgrade to the AT&T Elite plan, you can choose between HBO, Cinemax, Starz, or Showtime for free. Or you can get Amazon Music, Pandora Premium, or Spotify. 
• Priority customer service
• Sports and dining discounts 

Winner: AT&T 

Which One of These is Right for You?

So is it worth it to make the switch from AT&T? If you’re already a Spectrum Internet customer, then yes. You can get an unlimited plan on the nation’s best network for $20 cheaper (or more) per month. You’ll have to give up a few things like perks and customer service, but ask yourself how much you really need those if you can save hundreds of dollars per year. 

Ultimately, neither is a great career. If you’re not a Spectrum Internet customer, then you can’t get this service. And the overall features of Spectrum are lacking even compared to budget options like Straight Talk or TracFone.

If money is your number one concern, go with one of these carriers or another MVNO. Or, if you want to total quality of service at a reasonable price, then look into T-Mobile. But do keep an eye on Spectrum as they evolve because, with the right changes, they could be the best value in wireless! 

For more carrier comparisons, visit the Buyback Boss Blog. Check out the difference between the leading budget carrier, MetroPCS, and the leading full-service carrier, T-Mobile, MetroPCS vs. T-Mobile guide. Or see the differences between the two budget options MetroPCS vs. Boost here. For everything you want to know about smartphones and more, visit our blog now! 

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