AT&T Adds Home Internet Options to Its Modular Build-A-Plan Service

Many do-it-yourself projects start in the home, and now AT&T is adding two home internet options to its modular Build-A-Plan service.

Starting July 7, new AT&T customers eyeing the Build-A-Plan options, as well as existing Build-A-Plan subscribers, will be able to stack AT&T Fiber or AT&T Internet Air (its fixed wireless option) home service onto the mobile phone plan. Either service starts at $35 for the add-on, taking into account autopay discounts, plus taxes and fees.

The base fiber plan is AT&T Internet 300, which delivers data at up to 300Mbps. If purchased separately, it also costs $35. AT&T Internet Air normally costs $55 a month, and the company lists typical download speeds of 90 to 300 Mbps. Both options depend on availability in your area.

The company introduced the Build-A-Plan option in May as a way to attract new customers who bring their own unlocked eSIM-capable phone. It starts at $15 a month (plus taxes and fees) and includes unlimited talk and texting and 1GB of high-speed data. Additional premium data — including unlimited data that can accommodate HD or 4K video streaming — and hotspot data can be added for extra costs.

Build-A-Plan is also flexible: Customers can change the combination of high-speed and hotspot data month to month. The home internet option is meant to be more permanent; you can cancel it, but any network hardware would need to be returned within 21 days of the cancellation or you will need to pay a $200 fee, according to an AT&T spokesperson.

Judging by recent moves the major carriers have made to cater to subscribers, customers seem to be looking for simpler mobile and home internet options. Verizon introduced its Verizon One bundle in June for $70 a month (taxes and fees included). Xfinity does the same from the other direction: You need Xfinity home internet in order to add mobile service, and the company introduced cheaper phone plans in April.