AT&T Fiber is a broadband internet service that is based on optical fiber technology to offer its clients fast and stable connection. Although the fiber network is not directly leveraging the Wi-Fi technology, the modems and routers that may be used with AT&T Fiber services do leverage Wi-Fi to provide a wireless network in your home. Is AT&T Fiber delivered using Wi-Fi 5 or the newest Wi-Fi 6? Alright, let us now analyze these statements more carefully.
‘What is Wifi 5 and Wifi 6’.
However, to answer the question on whether AT&T Fiber utilizes Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, one has to comprehend both of these terms. What is the difference between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6? Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 are the fifth and sixth generations of Wi-Fi technology for wireless communication.
The abbreviation Wi-Fi 5 is defined as a term for the 802.11ac standard. Originally launched in May 2014, Wi-Fi 5 was a significant Wi-Fi generation leap compared to earlier Wi-Fi 4 standards. This makes it work on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands but with significantly more available space on the 5 GHz channels. Therefore, Wi-Fi 5 is faster than older Wi-Fi, has less delay and can handle the connection of more devices at the same time.
Wi-Fi 6, also called 802.11ax, is the Wi-Fi generation following Wi-Fi 5. Although Wi-Fi 6 is not yet as widespread as other previous versions, there are some fundamental enhancements such as: peak data rate up to 9.6Gbps, better throughput in the network with many devices, and most importantly usage of the available spectrum with no wastage. So, without thinking too hard, let’s explain why: Wi-Fi 6 is on average 30-40% faster for today’s devices. It’s also future-ready for other advancements in technology such as 8K streaming and virtual or augmented reality applications.
Key Differences Between the Two Standards
- Speeds: WiFi 6 has greater functionality and a higher maximum theoretical data transfer rate only when all devices and routers/modems are compatible. Actual data rates are up to 30% higher than those obtained with Wi-Fi 5.
- Bandwidth efficiency: The term Wi-Fi 6 is basically more effective where bandwidth is attainable. Its efficient data encoding and scheduling result in better average velocities when multiple devices are connected to the network simultaneously. Less airtime wasted.
- Capacity: This is because Wi-Fi 6 is far better in terms of handling density than Wi-Fi 5. Performance stays higher with the rising user count due to the adoption of MU-MIMO and OFDMA technologies. Supports 4X device density.
- Range: Although you get faster speeds when close to the access point, initial range reach is more or less the same for both Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 standards. Most notably, ‘AX’ enhanced the frequency reuse factor within range over the AC.
- This is remarkable with both generations of Wi-Fi being backwards compatible with Wi-Fi 4 (and now Wi-Fi 5) still being able to connect. It also gets compatible with TKIP/AES standards of security encryption.
Having known the difference between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6, are you now in a position to determine if AT&T Fiber is of the latest generation?
I would like to know which Wi-Fi technology AT&T Fiber uses.
It is important to clarify that the own fiber network of AT&T does not rely on Wi-Fi technology. Being a fiber optic network service from At&T your service from the streetnode ends at the Fibre Gateway modem in your home can deliver up to a Gigabit per second based on your plan.
The connectivity of the in-built Wi-Fi router that comes within this Fibre Gateway hardware will decide as to what is available – Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
AT&T Fiber plans currently supply either
1) BGW210-700 router: that has 802.11ac Wave 2 features integrated in it. This corresponds to Wi-Fi 5 and offers allowable bandwidth of up to 1.7Gbps.
Or if you order higher speed plans:Or if you order higher speed plans:
2) 5268AC FXN router: which supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for up to 574+4804 Mbps speed with uplink ofdma mu-mimo capability.
That’s why if you are taking the paid service from AT&T Fiber and getting the newest 5268AC equipment then you will be getting the Wi-Fi 6 in your home wirelessly.
However, the BGW210 and other Series 210 Gateways offer very fast fiber speeds for Internet connection; the only issue is they have Wi-Fi 5, which means they lack the bandwidth efficiency, latency reductions, and device density handling improvements of Wi-Fi 6 specified upgrades.
Yes, it is possible to upgrade routers in the future, meaning that when one feels that the current one is not meeting the needed specifications, then he or she can get a better one. However, routers that come with the hardware like the Wi-Fi 6 enabled 5268AC make the setup process easier. AT&T has Wi-Fi Extender choices, and Internet service Provider Smart Wi-Fi for severe Wi-Fi administration.
Key Takeaways
- Optical node , att & t and fiber does not use Wi-Fi indeed it uses fiber only. These speeds are attained at 1 Gig or higher depending on the package taken.
- The specific gateway router that you get dictates your wireless compatibility as either Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6.
- The lower speed plans 200Mbps-300Mbps have the BGW210-700 modem that supports Wi-Fi 5 network connectivity.
- There can be a possibility to upgrade a speed plan for you to get the latest Wi-Fi 6 capable gateway hardware upgrade (5268AC FXN).
Thus, although Wi-Fi is not necessary for the high-bandwidth fiber backbone, AT&T provides improvements on Wi-Fi 6 in the superior Fiber speeds that activate the latest 802.11ax standard in their homes today.
Get faster, more dependable Wi-Fi with next-generation Wi-Fi 6 technology, capacity, performance, and wireless flexibility to match when you sign up for select AT&T Fiber plans and modem equipment. Today, the future of home connectivity is no longer a thing of the future but rather already available in the market.
Call (844) 905-5001 to get a new AT&T connection now!
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