Home Internet reliability might not be the conversation it once was in the dial-up era, but it is still a priority for telecom providers to keep customers connected. Now, wireless network capacity can handle customers using their network for home connectivity full-time, with services like T-Mobile 5G Home Internet. Last year, AT&T entered that market, offering home internet through their wireless network.
However, AT&T is also a ‘wireline’ internet provider, providing fiber internet to a large swath of their coverage area. AT&T’s modern fiber network does not reach everywhere, though, so that’s an area where they wanted to expand via 5G.
There are also a number of customers still on antiquated copper networks that are costly to maintain and improve. The goal: expand home internet customer base, and transition customers on the old network into a faster, more reliable connectivity option.
AT&T uses wireless internet as a supplement to their home connectivity strategy, and now that will continue with new Wireless Backup.
Fiber Customers Get Wireless Backup For Free
AT&T Fiber customers who also have an eligible AT&T unlimited postpaid plan can now add a wireless internet backup for home internet at no cost.
In the event of a fiber network disruption, the gateway will seamlessly flip to the wireless backup option, and flip back when the fiber connection is restored. Once a customer activates the feature, the rest is handled for them.
To use the service, customers will need the newer AT&T BGW320 gateway. The gateway connects to the customer’s smartphone wirelessly and, during a fiber outage, uses the AT&T wireless connection of the phone as a replacement connection for the home internet.
“At AT&T, Internet Backup was designed with the customer at the center. Instead of requiring customers to buy new equipment or sign up for additional wireless plans, we are deploying the feature on existing devices at no extra cost… more customers choose AT&T as their converged provider for world-class connectivity, and we’re excited to bring our expertise together in this new offering.
Erin Scarborough, AT&T Senior Vice President, Product Management
Of course, this requires customers to be both AT&T fiber customers and cellular customers. If you only have AT&T for fiber at home, but another carrier for cellular, you won’t be able to use the feature.
Activating the feature in the AT&T Smart Home App can be done in four steps.
Network availability is a factor when Wireless Backup activates. Customers may experience lower speeds in periods of high traffic, or may not have the feature day one. However, AT&T wireless covers 99% of the U.S. population, so chances are high Wireless Backup is available.
Curious to learn more? Check out the official press release on the AT&T website. If you don’t have one, the AT&T Smart Home Manager app should be notifying you of your eligibility to upgrade soon. You can also visit att.com/fiber for more info and to sign up.
