C Spire and AT&T are two of the major wireless service providers in the United States. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough deciding which company is right for you.
This article will compare C Spire and AT&T on a variety of factors like coverage, plans, features, and customer satisfaction to help you determine the best fit.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | C Spire | AT&T |
| Coverage | Regional focus – Excellent coverage in southeastern US | National coverage – Extensive coverage across US and worldwide |
| Plans | Generally $5-10 less per month for unlimited data | More discounts when bundling multiple services |
| Network Performance | Average speeds around 20Mbps, limited 5G availability | Leads in speed and 5G coverage, averaging 30Mbps |
| Phones and Deals | Decent selection including new iPhones | Massive selection and early access to latest models |
| Unique Features | Personal Cell, Circle, Percs rewards program | Free entertainment subscriptions on some plans |
| Customer Service | Local support teams, high satisfaction | OK support but some issues with long hold times |
A Detailed Review of Features Between C Spire Vs. AT&T
Coverage And Availability
Coverage is arguably the most important factor when choosing a wireless carrier. You want to make sure you get reliable service wherever you live, work, and travel.
C Spire offers wireless coverage primarily in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. They use both their own network infrastructure as well as roaming agreements with other carriers to provide service.
Overall, their coverage is quite extensive in the southeastern US, but more limited elsewhere.
AT&T has a much more extensive network, with coverage across the entire continental US. They have roaming agreements in place to ensure service virtually anywhere you go. AT&T also offers coverage in Mexico, Canada, and over 200 other countries.
So they are better for frequent travelers.
If you mostly stay in the southeast US, C Spire has you covered. But AT&T’s superior nationwide and international coverage makes them the winner for coverage.
Winner: AT&T
Plans And Pricing
When comparing plans and pricing, both C Spire and AT&T offer a wide variety of options to meet different needs and budgets.
C Spire has prepaid, unlimited data, and shared data plans available. Their cheapest individual unlimited plan starts at $55/month.
Family plans and shared data offer savings per line. And discounted prepaid plans start as low as $30/month.
AT&T also provides prepaid, unlimited, and shared/family plans. Their cheapest unlimited individual plan starts at $65/month.
But prices per line drop quite a bit for shared plans. Prepaid options are similar in price to C Spire, starting at $30/month.
Both carriers offer discounts if you bundle wireless with other services like home internet. Overall, the pricing is pretty competitive between the two.
C Spire boasts slightly lower rates for unlimited, but AT&T may save you more on bundles. It’s mostly a wash.
Winner: Tie
Phone Selection And Deals
AT&T offers an vastly larger selection of phone models compared to C Spire. This includes not only flagship devices like the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy models, but also cheaper options from brands like Nokia and Motorola. AT&T also gets early access to some smartphone models before other carriers.
The phone deals and discounts offered by the two carriers are similar. Both AT&T and C Spire frequently run promotions where you can get $700 or more discounted on new device purchases with an unlimited plan.
Unless you have your heart set on a specific phone model, the selection and deals are generally better through AT&T. But C Spire still has a decent lineup of phones, including the newest iPhones.
Winner: AT&T
Also Read: Comparison Between Xfinity And Hughesnet
Network Performance And Reliability
When it comes to overall network quality and performance, AT&T again has a slight edge over C Spire. Based on recent nationwide testing and reports, AT&T’s average download connection speeds were around 30Mbps, with peak speeds topping 100Mbps on their 5G network. Their network has proven extremely reliable over the years.
C Spire’s average speeds skewed closer to 20Mbps in testing, with their limited 5G availability not making a huge impact yet. While their network performance has improved and is considered above average, it can’t match AT&T in terms of speed and capacity.
However, if you are mostly using your phone in one of C Spire’s core coverage areas, you’ll see great performance.
For the overall fastest and most advanced network technology in more areas, AT&T is the winner. But C Spire still provides respectable speeds and connectivity.
Winner: AT&T
Watch the video for details!
Unique Features And Perks
Here’s an area where C Spire really separates themselves from the competition. They offer a number of exclusive features you won’t find on other networks:
- Personal Cell – Lets you use your wireless number and plan across any phone device. Just download the app and insert the SIM card. Great for flexibility across devices.
- Circle – Gives family members a private shared space for communication, location sharing, calendars, and more. Promotes family coordination and safety.
- Percs – Loyalty rewards program where you earn points you can redeem for rewards, like gift cards and accessories. The more services you have, the more you earn.
While AT&T does have some nice perks like free streaming subscriptions on certain plans, their unique features don’t match what C Spire provides. The personalization and flexibility you get with C Spire make their offerings stand out.
Winner: C Spire
Customer Service And Satisfaction
In general, C Spire tends to edge out AT&T when it comes to customer satisfaction and service. C Spire prides themselves on local customer service, with call centers based in the southeast. They offer 24/7 support via phone, online chat, email, and social media. Their customer satisfaction survey results also rate higher than average.
AT&T offers similar customer service options, but satisfaction with their support experience tends to be mixed. As one of the biggest wireless carriers, their customer service reps aren’t always able to provide personalized attention. Hold times when calling in can also be longer compared to C Spire.
While AT&T gets the job done, C Spire’s stellar customer service gives them an advantage here. You’re more likely to have prompt, satisfying interactions with their local support teams.
Winner: C Spire
Also Read: Comparison Between Visible And TracFone
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
For regional southeastern US coverage, C Spire is just as good as AT&T and even better in some regards. But AT&T’s nationwide and international coverage is superior if you need service across the country or globe.
No, AT&T does not own C Spire. C Spire was formerly known as Cellular South and is owned by the private holding company Telapex Inc., which is not affiliated with AT&T. They operate independently.
C Spire Fiber provides high-speed fiber internet with symmetrical speeds up to 1Gbps for both residential and business customers. Their fiber service offers extremely fast and reliable connectivity that can support multiple devices for things like streaming, gaming, and working from home. It uses 100% fiber optic cabling for the fastest speeds.
C Spire utilizes both their own network infrastructure as well as partnerships with other carriers for roaming to provide cell service across the southeast region and beyond. Their core coverage footprint where they own and operate the network infrastructure is in Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida. But they’ve expanded coverage nationwide through roaming agreements.
Also Read: Comparison Between Visible Wireless And Straight Talk.
Conclusion
So when it comes down to making a decision between C Spire and AT&T, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Coverage – AT&T is superior if you need nationwide service, especially internationally. But C Spire works well regionally.
- Plan prices – Very similar between the two when you compare apples to apples. AT&T may offer more bundle discounts.
- Network quality – AT&T is faster if you want cutting edge 5G service. But C Spire’s network is reliable for most needs.
- Features and perks – C Spire has unique offerings like Personal Cell, Circle, and Percs rewards. AT&T lags here.
- Customer service – C Spire provides better personalized and local support. AT&T is just average.
Overall, AT&T is a great choice if you need coverage across the entire country and want access to the latest devices and network technology.
But if you live and spend most of your time in the southeastern US, C Spire can match AT&T in nearly every category and surpass them with customer service and neat features like Personal Cell. Evaluating your specific needs should make the right choice obvious.
And remember – both carriers offer risk free trials for new customers so you can experience the network for yourself. Don’t hesitate to switch if it’s not the right fit.
