At a Glance
- Xfinity locks some rates for five years, but many plans jump after 12 months
- AT&T Fiber delivers symmetrical 5Gbps speeds where available; Xfinity’s hybrid-coax tops out at 10Gbps down but only 2Gbps up
- Xfinity enforces a 1.2TB data cap on select plans; AT&T Fiber tiers remain unlimited
- Why it matters: Your true monthly cost and daily experience hinge on connection type, not just advertised speed
The price you see today may not be the price you pay next year. Xfinity and AT&T both dangle low introductory rates, yet the long-term math-and the quality of your Zoom calls-diverge sharply once you read the broadband facts label.
Connection Types Decide Real Speed
Fiber-optic lines treat uploads and downloads equally. AT&T deploys fiber in 21 states, advertising up to 5Gbps symmetrical. That matters when four roommates back up laptops to the cloud while streaming 4K video.
Xfinity leans on hybrid fiber-coaxial. The backbone is fiber, yet the final stretch to your modem travels the same copper that carries cable TV. Downloads can hit 10Gbps, but uploads crawl between 10Mbps and 2Gbps depending on tier. Only a handful of cities can order Xfinity’s 100% fiber product.
| Feature | AT&T Fiber | Xfinity Hybrid-Coax |
|---|---|---|
| Download range | 300Mbps-5Gbps | 50Mbps-10Gbps |
| Upload range | 300Mbps-5Gbps | 10Mbps-2Gbps |
| Data cap | None | 1.2TB on some plans |
Price Tables Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Both carriers list a monthly figure that assumes AutoPay and paperless billing. AT&T’s broadband facts label is visible before you enter an address. Xfinity hides its label until you choose a specific plan.
As of January 12, 2026, entry-level pricing looks like this:
- 100Mbps: AT&T Fiber $45, Xfinity hybrid-coax $30
- 500Mbps: AT&T Fiber $65, Xfinity hybrid-coax $45
- 1Gbps: AT&T Fiber $80, Xfinity hybrid-coax $50
- 2Gbps: AT&T Fiber $125, Xfinity hybrid-coax $70
- 5Gbps: AT&T Fiber $155, Xfinity not offered
Xfinity’s five-year guarantee adds roughly $10-$15 to the promo rate. After 60 months, the price reverts to the then-current standard fee. Plans without the guarantee usually inflate after 12 months.
Fees That Slip Through the Cracks
AT&T Fiber includes the Wi-Fi gateway in every tier. Lose it after cancellation and you’ll owe $150 for the gateway or $65 per extender. No monthly equipment fee applies.
Xfinity waives equipment rental for year one on many plans, then bills $15 per month. Professional installation may trigger a one-time fee; AT&T Fiber typically shows no install line-item, yet a technician visit can still carry a charge if you request help.
Both providers prohibit annual contracts and overage penalties.
Reliability Scores Favor Glass Over Copper
Fiber signals travel as light, impervious to electrical interference. Cable bandwidth is shared among neighbors, so 8 p.m. slowdowns are common. Storm-related outages also hit coaxial lines harder than buried fiber.
The 2025 American Customer Satisfaction Index backs this up. On a 100-point scale:
- AT&T Fiber: 78
- Xfinity Fiber: 75
- AT&T non-fiber: 70
- Xfinity non-fiber: 69
Bundles Dangle Free Mobile Lines
AT&T will pair internet and phone for $32 the first year, then at least $42. Sign for 2Gbps or 5Gbps and you can claim a $200 reward card. Customers 55 or older can lock two unlimited mobile lines plus internet at $99.
Xfinity Mobile rides on Verizon’s towers but only works if you keep Xfinity internet. Buy 300Mbps-1.2Gbps and the first mobile line is free for 12 months; afterward it bills at $40. Gig-tier plans also throw in Peacock Premium for two years.
Which Household Should Pick What
Choose AT&T Fiber if:
- Fiber is available at your address
- You upload large files or game competitively
- You hate surprise price hikes
Choose Xfinity if:
- AT&T Fiber hasn’t reached your street
- You want the cheapest day-one bill and will accept future increases
- A free year of mobile service appeals
Key Takeaways
- Advertised speed is only half the equation; upload capacity and data caps shape daily usability
- Xfinity’s five-year guarantee sounds safe, but many plans still jump after 12 months without it
- Fiber costs more upfront yet often costs less over five years when hidden fees and price hikes are tallied
- Check availability first-AT&T’s slower 5G Air or DSL fallback lags far behind Xfinity cable
