AT&T Adds $25 Low-Income Discount to 5G

AT&T is expanding eligibility for its discounted internet service to customers throughout its 5G home internet footprint.

AT&T Access provides a $25 discount on internet service to families in need. In its first decade, the program was available only in areas where AT&T offered fiber or DSL internet.

This week, AT&T announced it was expanding access throughout its 5G home internet footprint. Millions of low-income customers are expected to sign up, according to a press release about the offering.

The program will continue to be available to AT&T Fiber customers, but prices may vary based on a customer’s exact location. AT&T no longer offers DSL to new customers.

Here’s a look at how the discount could impact everyday plan offerings.

AT&T Internet Air includes free equipment, and it’s easy to set up without professional help. Just plug it into a power source and place it near a window, then add all your devices to your new AT&T local network.

For most people, the whole process takes about 15 minutes from start to finish.

AT&T touts customer guarantee, spectrum expansion

All customers qualify for the AT&T Guarantee, which promises automatic refunds in case of home internet outages that last 20 minutes or more. That promise will apply to new AT&T Access customers, according to this week’s press release.

New 5G home internet customers could also see download speeds up to 55% faster, thanks to AT&T’s purchase of EchoStar spectrum. The deal means new capacity for AT&T customers nationwide, and it’s a big part of AT&T’s recent nationwide rollout of AT&T Internet Air.

Combined, AT&T’s Fiber and 5G services are available to more than 90 million customers.

How to qualify for AT&T Access

You can qualify for AT&T Access if your household income is below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. For a family of four in 2026 in the lower 48, that’s about $66,000 per year.

You may also qualify if you participate in certain government assistance programs. Here’s the list:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Medicaid
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TTANF)
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school attendance, including National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP)
• Federal public housing assistance
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
• Tribal Head Start
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Federal Pell Grant
• Head Start
• Early Head Start

How to sign up for AT&T Access

If you’re new to AT&T, start your application by entering your address and searching for plans. Follow the prompts to select an AT&T Access plan and prove your eligibility.

If you’re an existing AT&T customer, you’ll need to verify your eligibility using the SheerID tool.

Qualifying households have to recertify for the program annually.

Other ways to get affordable home internet

AT&T Fiber requires extensive local infrastructure, and Internet Air uses the excess capacity of local cell towers, so neither service type is available everywhere.

If you can’t get 5G home internet from AT&T, however, you may be able to get it from Verizon. If so, and your income falls below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for Verizon Forward. Prices start at $30 per month.

T-Mobile also offers 5G home internet, but doesn’t have any special discounts for low-income customers. Prices start at $50 per month, with extra discounts if you bundle with a premium mobile phone plan.

If none of the 5G home internet options work at your address, you may qualify for reduced-price internet from your local fiber or cable internet provider. Learn about low-cost programs nationwide.

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