While getting fiber optic internet from AT&T, it could take between a few days and up to a few weeks depending on other factors such as your geographical location and circumstances. Here is an overview of what to expect.
Pre-Installation Appointment
After you chose to get AT&T Fiber services through online or by phone connection, the first thing that happens is a pre-installation consultation. An AT&T technician will visit your home and assess the areas that require ducts and outlets and check if your home is ready for fiber service. It often takes about an hour, but this is dependent with the type of tour and amount of time allocated for the tour.
M.S. Fiber Line Outside & Permitting
If the lines must be strung above ground from the street utiliity poles to your home, AT&T will obtain the permits to do this locally. This permitting process may take five to ten business days on average. During the permit waiting phase, AT&T will also arrange with LU and subcontractors for any outside fiber line work to be done.
Fiber optic lines may require installing cables from other accessible points to your home underground if necessary. This work can take up to two weeks depending on the availability of material and construction backlog around your region if it is done prior to the actual installation.
Equipment Installation Appointment
Once permits are obtained and initial outside fibre lines have been established you will be notified for a fibre optic equipment connection. The install technician will then attach the fiber optic terminal (ONT) either on the internal or external walls of the house depending on the observations made on the interior and exterior before running the fiber line into the house.
The fiber line will then be connected to the ONT, an optical network termination, which translates light signals into electrical ones. This professional will also assist you in configuration of your WiFi router or any other internet gateway device and will help you to start with fiber service. Scheduling sessions usually ranges from 2 to 4 hours depending on the client’s need.
Post-Installation Follow Up
Usually after the appointment of installation technicians, they may require 1-3 days for few minor adjustments, system integration and ensuring that everything is back on track. You may receive further communication during this period. Do not hesitate to raise any concern you may have concerning the new service and equipment you have had installed during this follow-up period.
The Total Timeframe
These steps include the initial request, permission, design, completion and final follow up that AT&T Internet service Provider after the fiber has been installed and it takes approximately 5-15 business days in total. Some accounts that required extensive outside line work might take the project at least a few weeks longer. It also includes crossing the railroad right-of-ways, or highway access points which might take couple of additional weeks depending on the permits needed.
Although $150 is offered as an estimate, it is always advisable to discuss with the AT&T sales representative when ordering to arrive at a more accurate value based on the neighborhood handling charges. The above is just a general path or plan of what a normal fiber optic installation with AT&T looks like. All in all, if you plan in advance, you will be able to set up your household to enjoy the speedy and reliable AT&T fiber internet in no time.
Factors That Impact Timeline
There are a few key factors that can influence exactly how long it takes to get AT&T fiber installed at your home
- Another factor that is sometimes narrowed down to a matter of choice is the Type of installation; Above ground line drops that originate from close by utility poles may take less time to get up and running than underground ones. No digging required.
- Permit Approvals – Some residents’ associations have restrictions and may need permits and easement rights to lay fiber. This adds permitting/paperwork time.
- Dependency on Fibre cables/ Terminals/Networking equipment – Shortage in the supply of the above materials as a result of the above reasons could lead to additional time.
- Construction Backlogs: efficiency in installation could mean that a technician has many installations lined up for him/her, for the next, say two weeks.
- Weather conditions – This is part of the uncontrollable factors that may cause slight delays in the construction of the exterior part of the building due to extreme weather conditions like heavy rain or snow.
- COVID Precautions - This could still potentially lead to small scheduling discrepancy of technicians and additional sanitation which would also slightly increase the desired delivery time.
Communicating with AT&T
Don’t forget to ask questions and inform the particular AT&T sales representative you are talking to if you are installing the line at a particular date or within a specific period. They can offer information in relation to proposed time frames and where possible, advice on how the installation can be done earlier. It also saves you the inconvenience of being shocked by an event that will affect your schedule since you can follow up on the progress and status from time to time.
There are a few considerations that are advisable to consider as a way of ensuring installation is completed within the shortest time possible.
If timing is critical for you to get fiber services installed, here are some helpful tips
- When contacted, provide a number of dates/times to be available for an installation appointment. This allows quicker scheduling.
- Make sure that the fibers installation paths are well accessible from both inside and outside of the house during the pre-site survey.
- The company advises that if a customer intends to move to a new home or apartment, they should contact AT&T at the beginning of the exercise. The principle of early requests is that when requesting services or equipment, delivery and installation dates are to be prioritized.
- If you live in a neighborhood where permits would be needed or easement, inquire if you could contribute some information to fasten up the process.
- Choose above-ground line installation over below ground if possible depending on the type of home access available. Much faster.
Please let me know if you require any other information that you need to know about the AT&T fiber installation time frame. I’m also ready to explain some points or give tips if needed.
Call (844) 905-5001 to get a new AT&T connection now!
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