It is not easy to see where DirecTV ranks among the best internet providers. Offering bundled services that include high-speed internet, satellite TV programming and phone service for nationwide and local calls, DirecTV uses third-party internet service providers. As a result, details about connection speeds or additional features are hard to come by until you purchase DirecTV satellite programming. That's very much a gamble, especially if you live in a more rural area where connection speeds are less certain.
DirecTV review: Connection speeds
Even though DirecTV provides high-speed internet, the connection speeds the company claims you'll receive are slow compared to its competitors. DirecTV partners with companies that offer everything from cable internet to dial-up depending on your location. DirecTV uses third-party providers for its bundled services. Depending on where you live, the internet service provider DirecTV contracts with may be AT&T, CenturyLink, Verizon, Exede Internet, Cincinnati Bell, HughesNet, Windstream or Mediacom.
This is why you can never guarantee how fast or reliable your connection will be, and how quickly any issues will be resolved. As a result, this kind of company is best for people who want cable TV as top priority, and internet as a secondary concern. Unfortunately, DirecTV won't give you an estimated connection speed until after you've purchased a TV plan with them. When we contacted them for estimates they came out at the low-end of the speeds offered by other companies.
DirecTV review: Features
Each of the internet service providers DirecTV collaborates with offer their own additional features. The number of email accounts varies with each company, as does the amount of email storage each account has. However, all of the internet service providers that work with DirecTV provide internet security features and parental controls.
DirecTV provides a billing center, FAQs and technical forums on its website. You can also call DirecTV's customer service line, email its tech support staff or chat with a customer service agent. Tech support is available 24/7. Additionally, because DirecTV uses many companies as its third-party internet service providers, it couldn't provide us with details on the additional features that come with the internet service, such as the number of email accounts you receive.
Should you use DirecTV?
It is difficult to recommend signing up to DirecTV purely on the basis of securing a fast internet connection as you simply don't know what you're going to get. That said, if you're looking for an all round internet and TV package, money savings can undoubtedly be made by bundling your services with DirecTV. If you live in a well connected area, you will likely get decent broadband speeds, but given all we know, they are likely to be comparatively lower than other providers. The lack of transparency with DirecTV is a big issue for us, despite the decent prices it offers.
