Comparison of the U-verse and Atlantic Broadband

AT&T;'s U-verse Internet plans include up to 11 email accounts, online photo and video storage and an Internet security suite powered by McAfee with anti-spyware, anti-virus and firewall protection. AT&T; also offers 24-hour customer and technical support services and access to Wi-Fi hot spots when using a Wi-Fi-enabled device. In PC Magazine's 2010 Reader's Choice Awards, U-verse ranked third in overall customer satisfaction among national Internet service providers.

Founded in 2004, Atlantic Broadband provides high-speed Internet to customers in areas of Florida, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and South Carolina. High-speed Internet plans with Atlantic Broadband are offered through cable-based technology. Plans include between two and 10 email accounts, depending on the plan selected. Plans also include a free security suite with anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, pop-up blockers and personal firewall.

At the time of publication, AT&T; offers U-verse Internet plans with the choice of five downstream speeds. The Pro plan features speeds of up to 3Mbps, the Elite plan offers speeds of up to 6Mbps and the Max plan provides speeds of up to 12Mbps. Faster downstream speeds are available with the Max Plus plan with up to 18Mbps and the Max Turbo plan with up to 24Mbps. Atlantic Broadband's connection speeds vary depending on your location. For example, the Starter Service provides downstream speeds of 1Mbps in Miami Beach, Fla., and Cumberland, Md., and the Preferred Service features speeds of up to 8Mbps in Miami Beach and up to 5Mbps in Cumberland. The Max Service has downstream speeds of up to 12Mbps in Miami Beach and 10Mbps in Cumberland, and the MegaMax Service provides speeds of up to 16Mbps in Miami Beach and 15Mbps in Cumberland.

Atlantic Broadband has not introduced a data cap, at the time of publication. As of May 2011, AT&T; customers are subject to bandwidth caps, which are set at 250GB per month for all U-verse plans. When a bandwidth limit is exceeded, notices are sent to customers for the first two months. After the allowance is exceeded for a third month, AT&T; will charge a fee for each 50GB in excess of the monthly limit.

At the time of publication, the monthly prices for AT&T;'s U-verse plans range from $38 for the Pro plan to $63 for the Max Turbo plan. The Elite plan is $43, the Max plan is $48 and the Max Plus plan is $53. Atlantic Broadband's monthly prices vary depending on geographic location. For example, the Starter Service is between about $28 and $35 in Cumberland and between $28 and $39 in Miami Beach. The company's Preferred Service is offered for between $40 and $51 in Cumberland and between $39 and $55 in Miami Beach, and the Max Service is available for about $50 to $61 in Cumberland and $52 to $72.45 in Miami Beach. The MegaMax Service is available for $55 in both Cumberland and Miami Beach.