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AT&T, a leading telecommunications company serving internet and TV connection to more than 4.3 million home across America, has announced that it will no longer be selling new DSL internet service.
AT&T used to offer two types of internet service: DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and Fiber, but has now decided solely to focus on fiber-fed technology for its growing customer base.
HomeLinkd delved in a little further to find out the thought process behind AT&T's decision, how it will affect new and existing customers, and what the future holds for sales of DSL service.
In a message sent out to customers, AT&T announced that it would no longer be offering DSL service.
The main reason cited by AT&T for this decision was the "growing demand for high speed Internet." The company has been focusing on expanding its fiber network to keep up with customer expectations and needs.
AT&T is not the only company to make this decision - other providers have been making a similar shift over the past few years.
There are a few reasons for this industry-wide changeover:
1. Technology - As time goes on, technology improves. This is especially true in the world of telecommunications - what was once cutting edge quickly becomes outdated.
2. Costs - Fiber optic cables are less expensive to maintain than copper telephone wires, which are used in DSL connections.
3. Performance - Fiber internet offers much higher speeds and reliability than DSL.
AT&T said in a statement, "We are focused on enhancing our network with more advanced, higher speed technologies like fiber and wireless, which consumers are demanding.
We’re beginning to phase out outdated services like DSL and new orders for the service will no longer be supported after October 1, 2020. Current DSL customers will be able to continue their existing service or where possible upgrade to our 100 % fiber network."
Current DSL subscribers with AT&T will be able to keep their service - for now. However, the company has said that it is "beginning to phase out", and new customers will no longer be able to make DSL service orders.
It's important to note that even though you may be able to keep your current DSL service, it's likely that you will see a decline in speed changes and reliability over time as the network infrastructure continues to degrade.
AT&T has also said that it will work with customers on a case-by-case basis to help them transition to a different type of broadband technology if they so choose.
The obvious choice for most people would be to switch to AT&T's fiber broadband technology, which is now the only type of home internet that the company offers. However, this may not be an option for everyone depending on where customers live, and the pricing will be higher than the DSL pricing.
Other options include cable internet (which is offered by companies like Comcast and Spectrum) or satellite internet (offered by companies like HughesNet and Viasat).
As mentioned above, AT&T now only offers one type of home internet connection: fiber.
This means that if you're looking for an AT&T internet plan, you'll need to have access to the company's fiber network in your area. AT&T Fiber is currently available in 22 states, with plans to expand to more areas in the future.
If you don't have access to AT&T Fiber, your only other option would be to sign up for a mobile hotspot plan through the company. This would give you a data allowance each month that you could use to connect your devices to the internet while on-the-go.
AT&T U-Verse (now known as AT&T Internet) offers a few different fiber internet plans, all of which come with no annual contract and no data overage fees.
The cheapest option is the AT&T Fiber 75 plan, which offers download speeds up to 75 Mbps. This plan starts at $55 per month with no annual contract.
For speeds up to 100 Mbps, you can sign up for the AT&T Fiber 100 plan. This plan also starts at $55 per month with a no-term contract.
And for speeds up to 300 Mbps, you can sign up for the AT&T Fiber 300 plan. This plan starts at $55 per month plus taxes.
AT&T also offers a 1-gig plan for $80 per month.
Additionally, AT&T offers discounts for customers who sign up for both TV and internet service. With AT&T's TV services, you can get the AT&T Internet 300 plan at a discount, allowing you to stream more, watch your favourite shows and enjoy high-speed internet.
One of the great things about AT&T Fiber is that there are no data caps. This means that you can use as much data as you want each month without having to worry about overage fees.
This is in contrast to other types of internet service like cable and DSL, which often have data caps ranging from 50 GB to 1 TB. If you go over your data limit, you'll typically have to pay an additional fee.
There are a few benefits of AT&T Fiber plans that are worth mentioning.
First, as mentioned above, there are no data caps. This means that you can use as much data as you want each month without having to worry about overage fees.
Second, AT&T Fiber offers speeds up to 1 Gbps. This is much faster than what you would get with DSL or cable. And if you need even more speed, you can sign up for the gigabit broadband plan which offers speeds up to 2 Gbps or 5 Gbps in some areas.
Third, AT&T Fiber plans come with no annual contract and no data overage fees. This means that you can cancel at any time without having to pay a penalty
There are a few other companies in the industry that offer DSL service, though not as many as there used to be.
One option is Frontier, which offers DSL plans with speeds up to 6 Mbps. This company also has a fiber network, but it's only available in select areas.
Another option is Windstream, which offers DSL plans with speeds up to 50 Mbps. This company also offers discounts for customers who sign up for both TV and broadband service.
One final option is CenturyLink, another well-known telecoms company, which offers DSL plans with speeds up to 40 Mbps. Like AT&T, this company also offers discounts for customers who sign up for both TV and broadband service.
If you live in a rural area, your best bet is to go with satellite or 5G - as they are widely available and affordable depending on the plan you're looking for.
It's a great option for rural areas as it's widely available and offers speeds up to 100 Mbps. from companies such as Viasat and Starlink.
One downside of satellite is that it can be expensive, with plans typically starting at around $50 per month.
Another option for rural areas is 5G, which is the next generation of wireless technology. This offers speeds up to 1 Gbps and is currently being rolled out by all major wireless carriers.
One downside of 5G is that it's not yet widely available, so you'll need to check if it's available in your area. Additionally, 5G plans can be expensive, with some plans starting at around $70 per month.
Fixed wireless is another option for rural areas. This offers speeds up to 1 Gbps and is currently being rolled out by companies such as AT&T and Verizon.
One downside of fixed wireless is that it's not yet widely available, so you'll need to check if it's available in your area. Additionally, fixed wireless plans can be expensive, with some plans starting at around $70 per month.
The future of DSL is uncertain. AT&T's decision to stop selling the service is just the latest in a trend that we've been seeing over the past few years. Other providers have made similar decisions, and it's likely that more will follow suit.
As time goes on, technology improves and the costs of maintaining older infrastructure like copper telephone wires continue to rise. This, combined with the performance advantages of newer technologies like fiber internet, is likely to spell the end of DSL service.
If you're currently a DSL customer, it's important to keep this in mind and start exploring your options for other types of internet service. HomeLinkd is here to help you compare all of the different options available in your area so that you can make the best decision for your home.
AT&T's decision to phase out DSL to new customers is just the latest in a trend that we've been seeing over the past few years. With more providers seeing their existing subscriber base steadily dwindle, this could mean DSL could become obsolete within the next few years. As time goes on, technology improves and the costs of maintaining older infrastructure like copper telephone wires continue to rise.
This, combined with the performance advantages of newer technologies like fiber internet, is likely to spell the end of DSL service.
If you're currently a DSL customer, it's important to keep this in mind and start exploring your options for other types of internet service. HomeLinkd is here to help you compare all of the different options available in your area so that you can make the best decision for your home.
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