Bundle Face-Off: DIRECTV with AT&T Internet and Phone

Every package qualifies for the bundle and as you upgrade, relatively, you'll save more per month. Here are all the prices (assumes base internet, 5-300 Mbps, for $55/mo):

Entertainment + Internet: $119.99/mo
Choice + Internet: $129.99/mo
Ultimate + Internet: $159.99/mo
Premier + Internet: $204.99/mo

Every package qualifies for the bundle. Adds home phone service for $24.99/mo:

Entertainment + Internet + Phone: $144.98/mo
Choice + Internet + Phone: $154.98/mo
Ultimate + Internet + Phone: $184.98/mo
Premier + Internet + Phone: $229.98/mo

Every DIRECTV package qualifies for the AT&T wireless + TV + internet bundle:

From Entertainment to Premier, you can pick any plan; in general, your total will increase about $15/mo for each DIRECTV plan upgrade. Prices vary here depending on your cell phone's contract (and remaining time on the contract), so you'll need to call to get the most accurate quote.

All AT&T internet plans qualify for bundles. Depending on your area, speeds vary from 5 Mbps (DSL) to 5 Gbps (Fiber). From 5 to 300 Mbps, plans are $55/mo. Prices breakdown as follows:

DSL/Fiber: 5 Mbps - 300 Mbps ($55/mo)
Fiber 500: 500 Mbps ($65/mo)
Fiber 1 GIG: 1 Gbps ($80/mo)
Fiber 2 GIG: 2 Gbps ($110/mo)
Fiber 5 GIG: 5 Gbps ($180/mo)

Home internet: Surf away or watch a ton of movies with no worries. thanks to this promo, you'll get unlimited bandwidth when you bundle any DIRECTV plan with internet. Of course, the wireless phone unlimited plans carry a bit more value, but un-capped internet bandwidth is always a catch.
Monthly/ cumulative limit: there used to be a soft 1TB limit on some plans but AT&T removed it across all internet plans.

Home internet: unlimited.
Wireless Ph internet/data: Provided you have a 4G or 5G compatible phone, AT&T is now offering unlimited talk, text and high-speed data over their pretty large network. Most plans include 100% Premium Data (always faster) while lower-tier plans slow you down a bit after 50 GB of Premium Data.

Depending on the time of year, either DIRECTV or AT&T will toss in some pretty nice perks. The current deal comes with:

$50 Visa Card - Applies to online orders only. Redemption involves going to the "Rewards" page on att.com and getting it mailed to you.
AT&T WiFi Gateway - this is essentially AT&T's branded router that delivers WiFi throughout your home. If the signal gets too weak in certain rooms (eg, 2nd floors, rooms at the other side of your home), the Gateway works seamlessly with signal boosters.

For each smartphone line you transfer, you'll save $20/month. Compared to other bonuses over the past 10+ years, it's near the top of the list. They'll also waive any activation fees.

If you need a second landline for your business, etc, 2nd and additional lines generally go for the same price.

Each additional device you add to your network comes with a monthly access fee (technically a new line):

Smartwatches: $10/mo
Tablets: $20/mo
Mobile Hotspot: $25/mo
Cars (turn car into hotspot): $20 each/mo

If you already have DIRECTV and AT&T internet, there's really no reason not to bundle them up (it may have already been done for you and the savings applied). If you only have DIRECTV, check the internet speeds in your area first. If they're comparable to your cable or other current internet, it'll probably benefit you to switch to AT&T. If not, we recommend sticking with your ISP - AT&T's coverage has definitely grown over the years, but in certain cities, there are still soft spots that can cause some frustration during peak usage hours, especially for folks on slower DSL plans.

The landline in this bundle comes with unlimited calling throughout North America. So, if most of your calls stick to the U.S, Canada or Mexico, definitely consider this bundle to maximize your savings. Otherwise, you may want to go with a VoIP provider like Skype for your calls.

If you've been an AT&T wireless subscriber for a while, you know their original unlimited data deal was pulled a few years back. and those that still had it had to jump through hoops to keep it. Well, after AT&T purchased DIRECTV, it opened the doors to a revisit and a few years ago, they brought it back. For folks that stream A LOT (you know who you are :), unlimited data could tip the scales for ya. The 50 GB Premium Data cap on some plans is pretty fair and if you do go beyond, the throttled speeds don't really put me off, either. It's more than enough for >95% of users and even the throttled rate lets you comfortably stream movies and live TV.

BUYING GUIDE

DIRECTV vs DISH
If you're looking to switch from DISH, check out how it stacks up against DIRECTV.

Current Specials
For TV packages only, but they'll give you a gauge of how much bundling may save you.

DIRECTV Channels
Before you sign-up, see which DIRECTV plans include your favorite channels and networks.

Genie DVR
Get a rundown of how DIRECTV's whole-home DVR works and if it's right for you.

DISH Hopper
Here's how the Hopper's features (HD space, guide, etc) compare to the Genie.

Cable versus Satellite
If you currently have cable TV, check out the pros and cons of each service.

1 Plus taxes. For 12 Mo. w/ 24-mo. TV & 12-mo. Internet agmts & combined bill. Autopay & Paperless bill req'd. Pay $80/mo plus taxes until discount starts. $118/mo. in months 13-24 (subj to change).* Incl Unlimited data allowance ($30 value) at no add'l charge.
2 Plus taxes. For 12 Mo. w/ 24-mo. TV & 12-mo. Internet agmts & combined bill. Autopay & Paperless bill req'd. Pay $99.99/mo plus taxes until discount starts. $137.99/mo. in months 13-24 (subj to change)* Incl Unlimited data allowance ($30 value) at no add'l charge.

More about AT&T's TV Bundles

Years ago, we weren't big proponents of TV, internet and phone bundles. They were murky, difficult to understand and the billing was often annoyingly all different. Nowadays, most of those issues have been rectified, especially with fiber making major headway. With regard to AT&T, they've done a solid job of making their bundles more transparent and easier to manage. They're now ALL on one bill and with the recent addition of DIRECTV, value and convenience has hit an all-time high.

That's not to say we don't expect some bumps in the road, but the new Unlimited Plan with smartphone is probably one of the best bundling deals going. As a company, they're clearly trying to unlock value by consolidating their original technology (cell and U-verse) with acquired (DIRECTV). That process doesn't always favor the customer, but in this case, the end result has been an impressive value proposition for both DIRECTV and AT&T subscribers alike. Here at satelliteTV-deal.com HQ, we recently bundled up our services with the Unlimited Plan and have been quite pleased thus far. No hidden fees or annoying up-sells, and uptime and speeds have been just as good (or better) than pre-bundle.

States where you can bundle with AT&T

AT&T internet is available in roughly half the United States -- mostly a big chunk of the southeastern states and California and Nevada. Specifically, you'll find it in 21 states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Carolina

Within Califonia and Nevada, Fiber is their fastest-growing internet type, especially in Northern California and the larger-population cities like Glendale. DSL internet is still way more widely available and that won't be changing anytime soon (as it uses the same copper as landline phones). For rural areas, AT&T is growing there as well, with various fixed wireless (line-of-sight) internet options.

Have something to share?

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