Does ATT internet need a router?
Some individuals subscribe to AT&T Internet service for their home and they are left wondering as to whether they require another router or if the equipment that was provided by AT&T will suffice. To put it in simple terms, the answer is yes, you do need a router if you have AT&T Internet. They offer equipment that is often a modem/slightly advanced router combo, but it is comparably simple. Having your router also makes your internet connection better in terms of coverage and speed.
What Does the Equipment of the AT&T Offer?
If you decide to subscribe to one of the services offered by AT&T Internet, such as their DSL or fiber connection, they will bring a device into your home. For DSL customers this is normally referred to as the AT&T Internet Gateway and for fiber customers, they get the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway.
These gateways serve the dual role of the modem to access the AT&T network and possess rudimentary routing capability to extend the Internet in your house. It is possible to directly connect wired devices by the Ethernet option or connect the device to the broadcasted Wi-Fi network from the gateway.
The WLAN is 802.11ac which translates to dual band for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It will make one composite network with the same network name and password for each band.
The Problem with Using Only the Gateway
However, anyone looking to plug and play a new home network will find that most of the time, the AT&T equipment is sufficient for simply providing a connection to the Internet, although nearly everyone can benefit from connecting a personal router behind the gateway. Here are some of the reasons why: Here are some of the reasons why:
- Few flexibility and components that are utilized for control.
- May have trouble with larger houses or more appliances
- Spotty Wi-Fi coverage
- Earlier generations are much slower in terms of Wi-Fi technology.
Lack of flexibility in changing settings such as the Wi-Fi channel, security settings, and other features results in crowding with many devices. The Wi-Fi range is also quite limited, which sometimes results in the so-called ‘Wi-Fi blind spots’ in some corners of your house. Using a better router is a step up from what AT&T can offer.
Is It Smart to Purchase a Router?
It is advisable to have your router instead of using the default routers that are provided by AT&T. Investing in a quality router leads to Investing in a quality router leads to:
- Increased Wi-Fi coverage
- Also, increased range and reduced dead zones refer to the name of the scheme.
- Improved Wi-Fi connectivity at a farther range
- Even more control over the settings and options
- Additional options such as the ability to connect other devices like guest mode, child lock, etc.
Other entry points can also assist in boosting Wi-Fi signals, especially for large houses. Buy from a reliable manufacturer such as ASUS, TP-Link, Linksys, Netgear, Eero, or other brands available in electronics stores.
Where to put the New Router
One of the best places that you should install your router is where it is connected to the gateway through the Ethernet cable. It is not recommended to link one router to another wirelessly to avoid problems such as interference, low signal strength, and others.
Connect a LAN port of the gateway to the WAN or Internet port of your router using an Ethernet cable. This makes the AT&T equipment work only as a modem while it transfers most of the responsibilities of the primary router to your device. Position the router in a central location within your house to get the best signal reception.
From there, devices can connect wirelessly or through the wired Ethernet switch ports to the new router. It then takes full responsibility for all the Wi-Fi networks, addresses, traffic, and everything in between. Disconnect Wi-Fi at that point on the AT&T gateway to reduce congestion. Essentially, what settings to use depends on certain factors such as the router model as well as the layout of the house.
Additional Concerns in the Case of AT&T Fiber
Another additional condition that applies to AT&T fiber Internet customers relates to authentication. Several routers cannot automatically certify the high speed of the fiber. This leads to very low internet speeds, equivalent to a DSL connection even when connected to a fiber gateway.
Choose a router that is made for “AT&T Fiber” or “AT&T Internet.” Some models possess the necessary features integrated into the router itself, and some routers would need specific credentials to be entered in the settings section of the router’s web interface. Check your model documentation to help increase the speed of your fiber.
As we pointed out earlier, it is always advisable to buy your router to use with AT&T Internet rather than be limited to the company’s gateway. Though their equipment performs well in terms of testing the speed and basic functionality, going for an advanced router increases the performance, flexibility, and experience of using a home network.
Upgrade to faster, more reliable AT&T Fiber Internet today! Call us at +1 844-905-5002 and get connected with speeds that keep you ahead.