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AT&T International Phone Plans – Countries, Coverage, Rates, and More

Andrew Kunesh

Former Content Contributor

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Table of Contents

Breaking down at&t’s international data plans, at&t’s supported countries, pros and cons of at&t’s international data plans, final thoughts.

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At Upgraded Points, we’re a team of travelers . Some of us travel abroad multiple times per year, and some of us travel full-time. However, all of us have 1 thing in common: we need an international data plan to stay connected to our work when we’re globetrotting.

With this in mind, we’ve spent a lot of time looking at the best U.S. mobile data plans for international roaming . The right plan will let us stay connected to our work when traveling, breaking us free from the hold of constantly searching for free Wi-Fi.

In past articles, we’ve looked at T-Mobile and Google Fi’s assortment of international data plans. And while these were some of our favorites, it’s time for us to turn our focus to mobile giant AT&T’s international roaming options. And at first glance, you may be in for a bit of a disappointment.

AT&T doesn’t offer free international roaming outside of North America, and it’s international roaming options can get pricey quickly. So in this article, we’ll dive deep and take a look at all of AT&T’s different roaming options. We’ll start by looking at what options are available to you, and then end with a list of pros and cons.

Use the information presented in this article to see if AT&T is the right cell phone provider for you as an international traveler. And if you’re already an AT&T subscriber, you can use this information to avoid any billing surprises on your next trip abroad.

Let’s get started!

As discussed in the intro, there’s no free international roaming outside of North America included with any of AT&T’s post-paid cell phone plans.

Thankfully, though, there are 3 different ways you can use your AT&T mobile plan when you’re traveling abroad. One is paying per megabyte for data, and the other 2 options are roaming plans. We’ve outlined each and their respective pricing in the paragraphs below:

Pay Per Use International Data

The first option available to you is also the riskiest: paying per megabyte for international mobile data.

AT&T will let you use international mobile data at a rate of $2.05 per megabyte in most countries. Your exact usage is actually billed per kilobyte, so if you use 100.2 MB of data during your trip, you won’t be rounded up to 101 MB for billing purposes.

This is a very risky (and expensive) way to use international mobile data. For example, sending a 3 MB photo on WhatsApp would cost a whopping $6.15! Further, modern smartphones use a lot of data in the background — think automatic updates and fetching new email — so you could end up paying hundreds of dollars in extra charges just for keeping your cell phone turned on!

We highly recommend staying away from this option. It’s too risky to be deemed practical — especially when you consider how data-intensive even the most basic smartphone tasks are.

AT&T International Day Pass

Plan on using a lot of data during your trip? You may want to consider the International Day Plan .

This plan lets you continue using your AT&T plan abroad. If you have an unlimited plan at home, you can continue using this plan and your data allocation when traveling in 200+ countries. Plus, you also get unlimited texting, calling to the U.S., and calling to 100+ Day Pass countries.

This plan is charged at a rate of $10 per day on top of your existing AT&T plan. If you’d like to add multiple devices to this plan, you’ll be charged $5 each for additional devices. Thankfully, AT&T will only charge you for days you actually use, and there’s no minimum number of days you need to purchase. Plus, the maximum you’ll be charged is $100 per billing cycle. After the first 10 days charged at $10 each, you’ll be able to access the international plan free of charge for the remainder of the billing cycle.

These daily plans are charged per 24-hour period and don’t start until you’ve used data, sent or received a text, or made a call. So if your flight lands at 3:30 p.m. in London and you make a call at 4:00 p.m., your 24-hour period will expire at 4:00 pm the next day. This plan works in any of AT&T’s International Day Pass-supported countries, and you can use your plan in multiple countries without having to buy an additional pass.

Once you add International Day Pass to your AT&T account, you will be automatically charged you for a full day whenever you use your phone in a supported country. This means that you don’t need to enroll in the plan more than once — just set it and forget it.

Free International Roaming in Canada And Mexico

One quick thing to note: most AT&T post-paid plans include complimentary roaming in Canada and Mexico.

When roaming to these countries, you’ll simply use your voice, text, and data plan from home. According to AT&T’s website, your phone will work at full-speed when roaming in these countries (or until 22 GB on unlimited plans, then throttled speeds), so there’s no need to worry about being throttled just for traveling. You can even use mobile hotspot — something super helpful for those that want to work remotely when traveling within North America.

The following plans include North American roaming:

• Unlimited &More
• Unlimited &More premium
• Unlimited Choice
• Unlimited Choice Enhanced
• Unlimited Plus
• Unlimited Plus Enhanced

Further, a handful of plans include roaming in Mexico but not Canada:

• Mobile Share Advantage (10 GB or higher)
• Mobile Share Flex (10 GB or higher)
• Mobile Share Plus
• Mobile Share Value (15 GB or higher)

Other AT&T plans can add a special Roam North America plan to their account. The price of this plan is not published publicly, so you’ll have to call AT&T to receive a quote and have it added to your AT&T account.

Which AT&T Data Package is Right for You?

Now that you know what international plans AT&T offers, let’s help you pick which is best for you. Here’s a look at why you might pick 1 plan over another:

Stick with pay-per-megabyte roaming if you…

• Plan on keeping your phone in airplane mode or buying a local SIM card — it’s not worth risking a huge bill when you get home!

Sign up for the International Day Pass if you…

• Are on a short trip — $10 per day can add up quickly.
• Only plan on using data on certain days of your trip.
• Have a large U.S. data plan; remember, the data you use will be pulled from your standard data allowance.
• Need a plan to hold you over until you purchase a local SIM card.

How to Sign up for an International Data Package

Signing up for an AT&T international data plan is easy. You’ll be automatically enrolled in pay per megabyte — so the minute you land, you’ll start being charged for roaming.

On the other hand, an International Day Pass can be added from the myAT&T portal. Just head over to AT&T’s website , sign in, and head to this link.  You can remove an international plan from this page as well.

Hot Tip: You can call AT&T to have them disable the international data plan feature if you’d like. We actually recommend doing this so that you don’t end up with a massive bill for accidentally taking your phone out of airplane mode.

AT&T has a wide range of supported countries for its International Day Pass, but unfortunately, it’s not quite as extensive as T-Mobile or even Google Fi.

Some notable examples of countries not supported by International Day Pass include:

• French Polynesia
• Philippines
• United Arab Emirates
• A handful of others

You can view the entire list of supported countries for both plans on AT&T’s website . We recommend studying this list before you make a choice on what plan is right for you. After all, there’s nothing worse than landing in a new country and not having phone service to call an Uber!

Obviously, there are ups and downs to picking an AT&T international data plan over a competitor — unfortunately, though, we believe there are more downsides. To prove it, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of AT&T’s international data plans.

Don’t worry: we’ll bring these together in the Final Thoughts section, giving you a well-rounded look as to whether AT&T’s international data plans are right for you.

Pros of AT&T’s International Data Plans:

• 2 different options for international roaming, giving you flexibility in how you choose to roam
• Complimentary roaming in North America for most AT&T plans
• International Day Pass provides flexibility and peace of mind as it automatically re-enrolls when you use your phone abroad

Cons of AT&T’s International Data Plans:

• No complimentary international data like T-Mobile or Google Fi
• Limited roaming countries, especially on the International Day Pass plan
• Expensive pay-per-megabyte roaming
• International Day Pass can add up on long trips
• Not all plans include North American roaming

All in all, AT&T’s international data plans are not the best option for most travelers. For example, Google Fi’s Unlimited plan costs just $70 per month per line and includes unlimited high-speed international data. With AT&T, you’d pay a similar price for U.S. data and still have to buy an additional international plan.

Further, AT&T doesn’t have the global coverage that other carriers offer. And while AT&T does cover most of Asia and Europe, those traveling off the beaten path will eventually stumble upon a country where an AT&T plan won’t connect.

If you live in an area where AT&T is your only option for getting solid coverage, we recommend picking up one of AT&T’s two different international data plans when you do travel abroad. These will keep your international data bill manageable and ensure that you can stay connected no matter where you are in the world.

Long story short: we recommend strongly considering the competition before you settle on AT&T. You’ll likely find a better deal with more international coverage options.

Safe travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my phone work when traveling abroad.

Thankfully, most modern smartphones are properly configured to work internationally. If you’re unsure, refer to your phone’s owner’s manual or call AT&T to check if your cell phone works outside of the U.S.

Can I call international numbers when in the U.S.?

Yes, you can call international numbers from the U.S. with your AT&T phone service. You can see international calling rates on AT&T’s website .

What is the best credit card for paying my AT&T bill?

There are a number of credit cards that offer bonus points and other benefits for paying your phone bill. To see these options, check out our full guide to the best credit cards for paying your cell phone bill.

What countries does AT&T support?

AT&T’s international data plans work in over 100 countries — but remember, certain countries are not supported. Check the full list of supported countries on AT&T’s website .

Can I bring my current smartphone if I switch to AT&T?

Yes, your phone may be eligible. Use this tool on AT&T’s website to see if your existing smartphone is AT&T-compatible.

Was this page helpful?

About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.

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How to Use an AT&T Mobile Phone Internationally

Last Updated: March 28, 2024 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 16 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 292,033 times. Learn more...

The majority of mobile phones offered by AT&T have built-in frequencies and features that allow them to function efficiently when you travel overseas to other countries. To use your AT&T phone overseas, you will be required to activate a roaming feature on your phone account that allows you to connect to the mobile phone towers at your overseas destination. If you do not want to activate the roaming feature or pay the additional rates for phone calls, messaging, and data capabilities, you can contact AT&T to have your phone unlocked so you can use an international prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card.

Activate AT&T's International Roaming Service

• Visit AT&T's "Travel Guide" website featured in the Sources section of this article to verify your mobile phone's functionality in other countries. If you do not have Internet access, call AT&T's International Customer Care department for assistance at 1-800-331-0500. [2] X Research source
• Select the continent and country you are traveling to and click on the "Continue" button.
• Select the manufacturer and model of your AT&T mobile phone and click on "Continue."
• Review your phone's ability for voice and data services in the country you are traveling to. Voice services include phone calls and text messaging; whereas data services include email and Internet connectivity.
• If your AT&T mobile phone will not work in the country you are traveling to, you may want to consider upgrading your phone model or renting a mobile phone when you arrive at your international destination.

• Click on the "Details" link under the "Rates and Coverage" column to view your rates for the country you are traveling to. Rates for voice calls will vary depending on the country; however, messages and data charges have fixed rates regardless where you travel to.
• Each outgoing text message will cost 50 cents (0.36 euros), whereas each outgoing picture and video message will cost 1 dollar and 30 cents (0.94 euros).
• Data services will cost 1.95 cents per kilobyte, i.e. $19.50 (~15 EUR) per megabyte; In Canada it costs 1.5 cents per kilobyte ($15.00 per megabyte).
• If you travel overseas frequently, you may want to consider signing up for an international rate plan or discount package that may provide you with lower roaming fees. Visit AT&T's International Roaming website featured in the Sources section of this article or call AT&T at 1-800-331-0500 to sign up for an international package.

• You may call AT&T's International Customer Service department at 1-800-331-0500, dial 611 directly from your mobile device, or visit an AT&T retail store.

• To make phone calls or send messages, you will be required to dial the "plus" symbol, followed by the country code, then the phone number you are calling. For example, if you are calling a United States phone number, dial the "plus" sign, enter the number "1" for the country code, then dial the 10-digit phone number you are calling.

Unlock your AT&T Mobile Phone

• AT&T can unlock your mobile phone if you meet specific eligibility requirements. You must have had active AT&T service for at least 60 days, your account must be current on payments, your phone model must be available from other service providers or companies, and an unlock code must be available from the manufacturer. [5] X Research source
• Apple iPhones cannot be unlocked; however they have the ability to function overseas using AT&T's international roaming feature.

• Prepaid SIM cards can usually be purchased from stores in airports, department stores, or from phone merchants. You may want to ask the vendor salesperson about the rates and applicable fees for your prepaid SIM card.

Community Q&A

• Call AT&T's International Customer Service line free of charge if you have questions about roaming while you travel. Dial the "plus" symbol on your phone, followed by the phone number 1-916-843-4685 to speak to an AT&T representative. [7] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• After you call them you can actually give them your local number and the AT&T representative will call you back. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.att.com/international/
• ↑ https://www.att.com/Common/merger/files/pdf/international_calling/world-quick-ref-fs-en.pdf
• ↑ https://www.att.com/international/long-distance/
• ↑ https://www.att.com/support/article/wireless/KM1009432/
• ↑ https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/109357
• ↑ https://about.att.com/content/dam/snrdocs/ATT%20International%20Roaming%20Fast%20Facts.pdf

About This Article

If you’re travelling internationally, you can still use your AT&T mobile phone with a little preparation. Visit AT&T’s travel guide website to see if their service will work in the country you’re travelling to. You can also check the roaming rates there. To activate international roaming on your account, you’ll need to call AT&T’s international customer service department. Alternatively, if you’ve had your SIM card for at least 90 days, you’re up to date on your payments, and your phone’s eligible, call customer service to have your phone unlocked. Then, buy a prepaid SIM card when you arrive at your destination. For more tips, including how to dial a U.S. number from overseas, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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AT&T BUSINESS PASSPORT℠

Help your employees stay in touch when traveling abroad

Connect easily during long-term trips with a flat monthly rate that includes data, talk, and text

Tips you can use

Stay connected in over 210 destinations for a flat rate of $100/month*.

*Taxes, fees, and other monthly charges apply

AT&T Business Passport benefits

Get reliable international coverage that includes high-speed data, talk, and text.

Allotted data + no overages

22GB of data keeps you in the know

(after 22GB, speeds slowed to a max of 256kbps for the rest of the bill cycle)

International calling

250 minutes keeps you in contact

($0.25/min. overage charges)

Unlimited texting

Unlimited messaging in 210 destinations keeps you connected on the go*

*Applies only to messages sent via AT&T Short Messaging Services (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and not to other messaging services or applications. Messages received are charged at domestic messaging rates.

Get more mileage out of your AT&T Business Passport

Keep these handy tips in mind to get the most benefits while abroad:

Roam Latin America for Business

Only AT&T Business keeps you connected in the U.S. and 20 Latin American countries with unlimited high-speed data, talk, and text at no extra cost.*

*Req’s AT&T Business Unlimited Premium. Coverage and data speeds vary by country. International usage should not exceed domestic usage. 

Business Passport FAQs

What destinations are included with at&t business passport.

Afghanistan

Aland Islands

American Samoa

Antigua & Barbuda

Bosnia & Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Christmas Island

Congo (Republic of the Congo)

Cote D'Ivoire

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo)

Dominican Republic

Easter Island

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Faroe Islands

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Galapagos Islands

Great Britain

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Ivory Coast

Korea (South Korea)

Liechtenstein

Macao (Macau)

Netherlands Antilles

Netherlands

New Zealand

Northern Ireland

Northern Mariana Islands

Palestinian Authority

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Reunion Island

Republic of Rwanda

Sao Tome & Principe

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

St. Barthelemy

St. Eustatius & Saba

St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Maarten (Dutch)

St. Martin (French)

St. Vincent & the Grenadines

Switzerland

Trinidad & Tobago

Turks & Caicos

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City

Virgin Islands (British Virgin Islands)

Western Sahara

What happens if I go over my 22GB allotment?

Once you use 22GB of wireless data, data speeds are slowed to a maximum of 256Kbps for the rest of your bill cycle.

What happens if I am traveling when my 30 days of AT&T Business Passport ends?

Once added, AT&T Business Passport will stay on the line until you remove it using online self-service (att.com/myatt or att.com/premier, as applicable), by calling 800-331-0500, or by contacting your AT&T account representative.

Which airlines or enabled international flights are covered by International Day Pass for Business

For a list of participating airlines and enabled international flights go to att.com/globalcountries. Airlines and Enabled Flights are subject to change without notice. Passengers of qualifying airlines are not guaranteed to be on an Enabled Flight.

ELIGIBILITY : Available to business and government customers with a qualified AT&T wireless service agreement (Business Agreement) and only for qualified Corporate Responsibility User (CRU) lines of service. Compatible phone, tablet or other eligible device with domestic postpaid wireless service required.

CHARGES : Monthly recurring charge applies on a per-device basis. Monthly recurring charge will not be prorated if canceled on or after the effective date. Package canceled prior to the effective date will not incur the charge. Package requires a 2-month minimum term commitment.

DESTINATIONS : Includes usage in over 210 destinations listed at att.com/globalcountries and on select enabled international flights ( Enabled Flights ) (each a Passport Destination or collectively, Passport Destinations ). Coverage not available in all areas. Passport Destinations and rates are subject to change without notice. Mexico & Canada: If you have a domestic plan that includes Mexico or Canada, usage in these countries will not diminish the AT&T Business Passport data or talk allowance or bill AT&T Business Passport calling charges. Latin America: If you are an AT&T Business Unlimited Elite customer or other qualified customer with Roam Latin America SM  for Business, usage in the included Latin American countries will not diminish the AT&T Business Passport data or talk allowance or bill AT&T Business Passport calling charges. See  att.com/latamcountries  for a list of included countries. Cellular networks on select airlines: For a list of participating airlines and Enabled Flights, go to att.com/globalcountries . Participating airlines and Enabled Flights are subject to change without notice. Passengers of participating airlines are not guaranteed to be on an Enabled Flight. Device must be on, with Airplane Mode and Wi-Fi turned off and data roaming and cellular data turned on to use the cellular network on an Enabled Flight. Cellular service on an Enabled Flight is available only at greater than 200 nautical miles outside of the U.S. border and above 20,000 feet cruising altitude. In the event of satellite interruption or regulatory constraint, airline cellular services may be disrupted or disabled.

DATA : Actual data speeds vary by device and location. If your domestic plan includes Video Management feature, the same will apply to your AT&T Business Passport package.  Data allowance must be used in bill period provided or will be forfeited. Overage and Data Speeds: There are no data overage charges. However,  if you use all your AT&T Business Passport package data, all data usage is slowed to a max of 256Kbps for the rest of the bill cycle. All data usage will be impacted and may not be fully functional.

TALK : For phones only. Talk allowance must be used in bill period provided or will be forfeited.  Overage: If you use all your AT&T Business Passport minutes, a $0.25 per minute charge applies to all calls dialed and accepted in Passport Destinations. Wi-Fi Calling: With Wi-Fi Calling, you can call back to the U.S. at no additional charge. Calls to other destinations, including the Passport Destination you're in, deplete your AT&T Business Passport talk allowance and may be billed at the Business Passport per minute rate.

UNLIMITED TEXT : For phones only. Applies only to AT&T Short Messaging Service ( SMS ) and Multimedia Messaging Service ( MMS ) and not to other messaging services or applications that use data, such as iMessage. Unless you have a domestic plan that includes unlimited text, messages received in Passport Destinations are charged at your domestic messaging rates.

CRUISE PACKAGES : For devices with an active AT&T Business Passport package and an active AT&T Cruise package, cruise ship cellular usage is rated by the AT&T Cruise package. AT&T Business Passport charges will apply to land usage in AT&T Cruise included destinations.

PAY-PER-USE RATES : Apply when AT&T Business Passport package is removed (unless you add a different international roaming package) and when traveling in destinations not included in AT&T Business Passport.

SERVICE RESTRICTIONS : International use aboard cruise ships is not included. Package is not available for use with wireless home phone services, connected vehicles, or wearables or other connected devices; pay-per-use international rates, found at  att.com/intlppurates , will apply. May not be combined with International Day Pass (IDP) for Business, similar IDP offers or select other international roaming packages.

GENERAL : Subject to the applicable Business Agreement. Availability, quality of coverage, and services while roaming are not guaranteed. International roaming data usage may be at 2G speeds. Additional restrictions may apply.

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As one of the three major wireless carriers in the US, AT&T has been synonymous with the telecommunications industry for a long time. It has quite a history, dating to the invention of the telephone in the late 1800s. Now, it is very active in the mobile wireless industry, with some great Android-based phones that support the AT&T network. This guide briefly talks about the history of AT&T, the network bands it uses, and how you can contact its customer service team.

What is the history behind AT&T and its iconic name?

AT&T's roots go back to Alexander Graham Bell, the telephone inventor in 1876. The Bell Telephone Company was created after that to provide landline phone service to customers, starting a new era of telecommunications. It acquired Western Electric in 1882, giving it control over the phone service and hardware. In 1885, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) was created to focus on long-distance phone call services. AT&T got its start with the invention of the telephone and is a major mobile wireless carrier today.

Best AT&T plans in 2024

How many subscribers does at&t have today.

Since AT&T is one of the three major wireless carriers in the US, it has a large subscriber base. However, these numbers change with every quarterly earnings report throughout the year. Each wireless carrier may also present this information differently but should typically give a total number of new or lost subscribers.

AT&T had around 71.6 million postpaid phone subscribers and 8.6 million Fiber home internet subscribers as of Q1 2024 . With all AT&T services combined, it has over 250 million subscribers.

Which 4G LTE and 5G bands does AT&T support?

AT&T offers many of the common 4G LTE and 5G bands for its network infrastructure. Bands with lower frequencies offer more distance at the cost of speed, which is better for coverage. At the same time, higher frequencies provide less distance with more speed, which is perfect for streaming. Mid-range frequencies that meet in the middle (like C-Band 5G) provide a balance of coverage and speed.

The section below lists which bands AT&T uses and the frequencies in which they operate.

The most common 4G LTE bands AT&T supports

• Band 2 (1900MHz)
• Band 4 (1700MHz)
• Band 12/17 (700MHz)
• Band 66 (1700/2100MHz)

The general types of 5G bands in the US

• Low-band (anything below 1GHz)
• Mid-band: Sub-6 (anything below 6GHz)
• Mid-band: C-Band (3.7GHz to 3.98GHz)
• High-band or mmWave (24GHz to 53GHz)

Specific 5G bands AT&T supports

Low-band 5G:

• n5 (850MHz)
• n2 (1900MHz)

Mid-band 5G:

• n77 (3.7GHz)

High-band 5G:

• n261 (27.5GHz to 28.35GHz)
• n260 (37GHz to 40GHz)

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How can you contact at&t customer service.

Like other companies, AT&T has an online customer service hub where you'll find answers to your questions. You can find general answers to your questions, but that may not always be the case. Another thing to note is that AT&T doesn't seem to offer customer email support, so you can't contact it that way. However, other options exist, including phone numbers, chatbots, and social media.

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In the sections below, we go over how to contact AT&T's customer service team if you have questions about your account.

Check out the main AT&T support hub

If you're looking for a general answer to one of your questions, the AT&T support hub is an excellent place to start. You can choose from three sections: Wireless , Internet , and My account . Click one of the buttons below those options to go to the support page, which has more specific topics for you to choose from. Select the All Services drop-down menu for more choices. If you want to try a manual search, type your question into the What are you looking for text box, and it automatically displays relevant direct links for you to click.

Chat with the AT&T online chatbot

If you prefer to use a virtual assistant to get answers to your questions, the AT&T chatbot is here to help. When you select one of the main support hub's help sections, scroll down to the bottom of the page. For example, click the Get wireless help button under the Wireless section, then scroll down to the bottom of the new page. Under the Contact us section, click the Chat button to open a new session with the AT&T virtual assistant. Select a topic from the list or type a question to get answers within seconds.

Alternatively, you can say something like "Talk to a live representative" to connect with a live support agent. After you select the options to specify your request, a Chat with live agent button appears at the bottom of the chat window.

Call the customer service phone number

You can call two main AT&T customer service numbers, depending on which service you are trying to reach. One is for AT&T wireless subscribers, and one is for AT&T internet subscribers.

If you have questions about your smartphone data plan or anything related to your AT&T wireless account, call 800-331-0500 . If you have any questions as an AT&T internet subscriber, call 800-288-2020 . Both are general customer service numbers, so you should be able to ask them any questions or concerns about your AT&T account.

Use social media channels for customer service

As a different approach than the previous contact methods, try AT&T's social media channels for general customer service questions. Reaching out using social media can be a fast way to ask questions about your account or a specific device you are having problems with on their network. Use AT&T Help on X (formerly Twitter) to get customer support if you are on that platform. You can also contact AT&T on Facebook and chat with them using Messenger as another social media channel.

Which smaller wireless carriers rely on AT&T's network?

Other smaller wireless carriers use AT&T's network, known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). These companies don't own or operate a specific network. However, they lease cellular towers and access from larger wireless carriers, such as AT&T. This method allows these smaller wireless carriers to offer cheaper phone plans. Since they don't have to maintain the network infrastructure, they also have more freedom to add unique features their customers might want to use.

Some MNVOs have agreements with more than one major wireless carrier, so they can simultaneously support multiple wireless carriers.

Here are some of the biggest MVNOs that rely on AT&T's network:

• Boost Infinite
• Cricket Wireless
• Consumer Cellular
• H2O Wireless

Complete list of AT&T MVNO carriers

At&t has a long history with the telecommunications industry.

It may be hard to believe, but Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, helped create the AT&T company we know now to an extent. With such a long history, AT&T is still one of the biggest carriers in the US . They continue to work on advancing their 5G network, and plenty of MVNOs rely on their towers daily for coverage. AT&T has played a critical role in how we view wireless carriers today and will continue to do so well into the future.

AT&T Turbo Plan Charges More for Steadier Service

AT&T is offering a more secure mobile connection—for a price.

AT&T Turbo will cost an additional $7 per month per line on eligible plans. In return, customers with 5G phones will receive "enhanced data connectivity for real-time responsiveness."

The company appears to be marketing the Turbo plan to online gamers and live streamers , where data stability matters. "For example, if customers want less freezing or stuttering and lower latency when milliseconds matter in gaming, AT&T Turbo can help offer real-time responsiveness by improving the performance of customers’ data on the network," the carrier says.

Still, the need to pay for an "optimized" data connection rather than having it added for free may annoy existing consumers. The Turbo plan also arrives days after the Federal Communications Commission reinstated net neutrality rules to ensure carriers and ISPs treat all legitimate internet traffic equally, instead of allowing them to block or throttle such traffic selectively. 

That said, the FCC reinstated net neutrality without addressing "5G network slicing," which a carrier can use to segment parts of their network for different use cases or customers. This slicing has sparked concerns that companies will operate paid fast lanes, forcing consumers to spend more for better connectivity. (The FCC told The Washington Post that it "will not allow ‘network slicing’ to be used as a get-out-of-jail free card for net neutrality violations.")

So far, AT&T hasn’t given specifics on the Turbo plan, such as the expected latency or download speeds. But a company spokesperson said network slicing is not involved.

The carrier also frames the new offering as in compliance with the FCC’s net neutrality rules. “Consistent with open internet principles, once turned on the boost applies to a customer's data regardless of the internet content, applications, and services being used,” it says. 

AT&T will likely release more details about Turbo when the sign-up process begins tomorrow.

How-To Geek

At&t will give you faster speeds if you pay more.

The new AT&T Turbo add-on is available now for select premium plans.

Your phone’s data speed can vary depending on your plan, physical location, local cell towers, and many other factors. If you’re on AT&T, there will now be one more variable in the mix: a new ‘Turbo’ add-on that claims to boost speeds.

AT&T just announced Turbo, an optional-add on that aims to provide “enhanced data connectivity for real-time responsiveness and improved stability.” It costs an extra $7 per month on top of your usual AT&T phone plan, and it’s available starting today.

AT&T said in a blog post that Turbo is “Built to support high-performance mobile applications, like gaming, social video broadcasting and live video conferencing, with optimized data while customers are on the go. AT&T Turbo allows users the choice to optimize their network when they want by adding additional network resources to their mobile data connection.”

The company didn’t mention any specific details about how it works, including if mobile plans without Turbo are now deprioritized in favor of plans with Turbo. AT&T and other carriers already use varying priority levels based on the customer and device type, called Quality of Service Identifiers (QCIs), since cell network capacity is fixed in any given area. For example, phones on a T-Mobile NVMO ( like Mint Mobile ) wouldn’t get the same priority level as a phone on one of T-Mobile’s own unlimited plans.

The Mobile Report theorized that Turbo might just bump up plans to the next QCI level, especially considering some AT&T customers were recently bumped down a tier . AT&T denied that in a statement to The Verge , saying, “Although AT&T Turbo currently is assigned to a QCI to which some of our consumer traffic previously was assigned, we’ve materially modified it and increased network resources and relative weighting for AT&T Turbo traffic, thereby creating a higher level of performance than we’ve ever before offered to consumers.”

Unfortunately, Turbo won’t let give you faster speeds and improved connectivity on AT&T’s prepaid plans or other lower-tier plans. It’s only available on the Unlimited Premium PL, Unlimited Extra EL, and Unlimited Elite plans—the cheapest one there is Unlimited Extra, which already costs $50.99 per month for one line.

Source: AT&T , The Verge , The Mobile Report