AT&T All-Fi
A guide to AT&T Wi-Fi equipment and services
Info at a glance
- What is AT&T All-Fi?
- Who’s eligible for AT&T All-Fi?
- What’s included in AT&T All-Fi?
- Do I need AT&T Fiber with All-Fi? Which speed tier is right for me?
- Discover the benefits of adding AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service to All-Fi?
- What’s included with AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service?
- Are AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extenders better than other extenders?
- What type of security plans are available with All-Fi?
- Can I replace the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway with my own Wi-Fi router?
- Will I need the All-Fi Hub or All-Fi Booster if I have AT&T Fiber with All-Fi?
What is AT&T All-Fi?
Where available, you have a choice of speed tiers when getting AT&T Fiber service. The ideal speed depends mostly on your data consumption habits, the amount of bandwidth needed, network privacy and security requirements, budget and how much coverage you seek around your house.
Once you choose the speed tier best suited for you, you’ll then have additional options to increase your connectivity if needed. For example, you may still experience weak spots throughout your home, depending on the size or layout of your home, regardless of your fiber speed plan. In this case, you’ll have the option to add AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service to help solve this.
In terms of equipment, when choosing AT&T Fiber with All-Fi, we highly recommend using all the original devices that come along with it. These devices are technologically at the forefront, designed to work in tandem and to connect to Wi-Fi 6
AT&T also offers two AT&T ActiveArmorSM internet security service tiers, available to all fiber customers with All-Fi. The best tier for you is determined by the level of security and privacy you need. Customers with up to 1 GIG fiber speed plan receive the ActiveArmor internet security. The advanced internet security is extra but is included for multi-gig speed tiers (2 and 5 GIG plans) customers, and for an additional fee for up to 1 GIG customers.
This article delves into what All-Fi service is all about and guides you in determining if it’s right for you.
Who’s eligible for AT&T All-Fi?
Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds vary. For 5 GIG, wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps. For more info., visit www.att.com/speed101.
What’s included in AT&T All-Fi?
AT&T All-Fi is available for all AT&T Fiber customers, and all speed tiers enjoy the same amazing advantages and elevated internet experience:
- Everyone with All-Fi gets the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway: This single device replaces the traditional modem and router to connect your home and wireless devices to the internet. It provides your home a notably fast, reliable, stable, and strong internet connection through an Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi radio signal. AT&T’s gateway is the most advanced device available, and it connects to our most advanced Wi-Fi service to date—Wi-Fi 6. It allows for less lag and much more coverage around the house. Further on in the article, we discuss whether it’s possible to use your own router instead of AT&T’s gateway. Read more about the differences between modems, routers, and gateways
- No price increase at 12 months: At the 12-month mark, you won’t see a surprise increase in your bill.
- Unlimited data: Your data has no caps. This means you can use the internet freely, stream, download, or upload data without worrying about exceeding a data allowance or paying an overage fee once you reach a certain limit.
- Option to add AT&T Extended Wi-Fi® Coverage Service (EWCS) and its relevant equipment: EWCS is an add-on service that supports the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway to provide whole-home coverage and seamless broadband internet connection (up to 5,000 sq. ft.) without dead zones if the Gateway isn’t enough. You can purchase this service for an additional cost if you have up to 1 GIG fiber speed plan.* If you have a multi-gig plan (2 or 5 GIG speeds), the service is included at no additional cost (provided you need it).
- AT&T ActiveArmorSM internet security: AT&T offers two main levels of internet security, which we’ll discuss in detail further in the article.
*$10/ for up to 5 Wi-Fi extenders at the sole discretion of AT&T.
Do I need AT&T Fiber with All-Fi? Which speed tier is right for me?
AT&T Fiber, on its own, is a reliable, strong internet network, especially when compared to cable internet (also called copper internet) or DSL (some folks know it as dial-up internet). However, with AT&T All-Fi included, you receive a powerful package that elevates your internet experience.
To determine if AT&T Fiber with All-Fi is right for you and your ideal speed tier, consider the following.
- First, if you are new to fiber internet, you’ll want to enter your address to see if you have fiber available at your location.
- Then, assuming fiber is available, you’ll want to determine what speed you need. Let’s consider the different options:
- 300Mbps, 500Mbps, and 1 GIG tiers: These speed plans will likely fit your needs if you’re looking for a reliable yet affordable connection but don’t need extreme speeds. These speeds offer faster download and upload speeds than cable internet2 (also known as copper internet), and are more reliable, with ultra-low latency and less lag.3
- 300Mbps is perfect for connecting to 12 devices1 at the same time. It supports recreational gaming and streaming or video chatting with confidence.
- 500Mbps provides you with plenty of speed and bandwidth for an always connected household and multi-player gaming, allowing you to connect up to 13 devices1 at the same time.
- The superfast 1 GIG is the right choice for efficient work and more play, with the capability of sustaining up to 14 devices1 connected simultaneously.
- 2 GIG and 5 GIG speeds4: Both speeds are ideal for those seeking super-fast internet with the least lag, with considerably faster download and upload speeds than cable. The multi-gig speeds offer strong, reliable internet to support, gaming (even at pro levels), for evolving at-home workplace demands, next-gen educational technologies and smart home activities. The 5 GIG speed and network reliability can even support the most cutting-edge technologies of today and tomorrow.
- 300Mbps, 500Mbps, and 1 GIG tiers: These speed plans will likely fit your needs if you’re looking for a reliable yet affordable connection but don’t need extreme speeds. These speeds offer faster download and upload speeds than cable internet2 (also known as copper internet), and are more reliable, with ultra-low latency and less lag.3
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Next, you’ll want to evaluate the amount of security you need to protect your privacy. AT&T offers two levels of AT&T ActiveArmor internet security plans: a standard plan and a more advanced version. If you need the extra security, you’ll want to consider having the 2 GIG or 5 GIG speed tiers,4 as they include the more advanced internet security version at no extra charge. We discuss the difference between both levels of security in more detail later in the article.
- Lastly, you’ll want to determine if you have weak spots and dead zones around your house. The AT&T Smart Home Manager app is a useful tool that helps check your Wi-Fi signal strength and coverage. This is especially important if you want full-home internet coverage .
When it comes to understanding when All-Fi is most beneficial, several situations fit the bill:
- All-Fi is a wonderful solution for those with home entertainment consumptions or content creation in mind. Whether you’re into gaming, streaming, downloading data, or uploading content to social media platforms, All-Fi ensures you enjoy secure and reliable fiber and Wi-Fi internet at home. Don’t forget you can choose the speed tier that caters best to your needs and even connect multiple wireless devices simultaneously (due to fiber’s inherent extended bandwidth capabilities). These factors, combined, make for an unparalleled entertainment ecosystem in your home.
- All-Fi is also beneficial for those who work from home. If your job has specific security requirements, you’ll want to consider having All-Fi with one of the fiber multi-gig plans (2 or 5 GIG speeds), as AT&T ActiveArmor advanced internet security comes included with these speed tiers.
- Another advantage of having All-Fi with any one of AT&T Fiber plans is the option to add the Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service (or EWCS for short).5 EWCS is AT&T’s most advanced solution for whole-home coverage, reducing weak spots and dead zones. So, if you have a large house and your service is spotty, and you have several dead zones (like in your basement or attic), EWCS allows internet coverage in those locations, too. And if you have one of AT&T’s multi-gig fiber plans, you’ll enjoy the extended coverage service included, too.
1Number of devices depends on screen size/resolution.
2Speed/time examples are estimates and based on wired connection to gateway.
3Other factors besides network latency may impact on game lag, individual results will vary.
4Limited availability in select areas. Speeds based on wired connection. Actual speeds may vary. For 5 GIG, single device wired speed maximum 4.7Gbps.
5$10/mo. for up to 5 Wi-Fi extenders at the sole discretion of AT&T.
Discover the benefits of adding AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service to All-Fi?
If you’re wondering why your fiber internet is slow or find weak spots and dead zones throughout your house even though you have the advanced AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway, adding EWCS to your fiber plan with All-Fi service can increase connectivity. However, we recommend you first attempt to optimize your current connection. The results will help you to determine if you need EWCS as well.
Follow these steps to optimize your internet connection:
- Evaluate the strength and reliability of your Wi-Fi signal throughout the house:
- Run a speed test and compare the results to your plan to see if they match. You’ll want to test not only the gateway speed (the speed between your modem or Wi-Fi gateway and your network) but also your device speed (the speed between the mobile device you’re using for the test and the internet). Checking both aspects is important for determining the strength of your Wi-Fi connection, as well as the quality of your equipment and the number of devices on your network, which all contribute to the overall speed result.
- Use the AT&T Smart Home Manager app to check your Wi-Fi signal strength and reach, restart your equipment, and ask our Virtual Assistant for help with common issues.
- Reposition your existing router or gateway to see if it improves your signal in the weak or dead spots. Consider the following impacting factors to determine where best to position your router:
- Position the router closest to where you use the internet most frequently. If you want the signal spread throughout the house, position it in a central spot.
- Avoid positioning the router in an area with obstacles that can affect the signal strength (heat sources, dusty areas, extreme cold, or large metal objects) or prevent it from reaching your device (an enclosed space like a wardrobe).
- Learn more about our recommendation for setting up your router or gateway in your home.
Read more about how to speed up your home internet and learn more about what impacts your internet speed in this short video:
Optimize your internet speed
Learn about internet speed, what affects it, and how to get the most from your service.
The speed of your internet connection to your Wi-Fi® gateway or All-Fi Hub is pretty consistent. You can check it with AT&T Smart Home Manager.
However, the speed you get on devices connected to your network can vary. The number of devices you connect to Wi-Fi, how you use them, their age and type, and Wi-Fi signal strength all can affect speed. Learn other factors that affect your internet speed
How to determine if you need AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service:
Once you’ve completed steps 1 and 2 to optimize your internet connection, it’s time to assess whether you need AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service.
You may discover that your speed test shows significantly lower speeds than your plan’s quoted speed (but take note that we don’t support 2G or 5G speeds over Wi-Fi). You may also find that relocating your Wi-Fi router or gateway or testing the speed with a different device didn’t improve the connection. These factors, alone or together, possibly indicate your Wi-Fi network is fine, but your Wi-Fi coverage isn't sufficient. In this case, we recommend adding AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service to your AT&T Fiber with All-Fi plan.
What’s included with AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service?
AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service is a stand-alone service that expands Wi-Fi coverage in your home. When you have AT&T Fiber with 1 GIG or lower speed tier and All-Fi, you’ll be able to purchase EWCS as an add-on for an extra fee. However, if you have 2 GIG or 5 GIG speed tiers, you’ll get it for no extra cost (provided you need it).
AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service includes:
- AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender (up to five extenders1)
- Lifetime replacement for any faulty extender2
- Access to designated tools on the AT&T Smart Home Manager app (where you can manage your network) to help you set up and manage your extended Wi-Fi coverage specifically
1$10/mo. for up to 5 Wi-Fi extenders at the sole discretion of AT&T. To find out if you qualify, sign into the Smart Home Manager app. You will only see the Extended Wi-Fi Service card in Smart Home Manager if we have detected Wi-Fi issues in your home.
2Account must be active and in good standing. Replacement at the sole discretion of AT&T.
Are AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extenders better than other extenders?
If your gateway device isn’t working at full capacity, it can affect your fiber internet speed, slowing it down in those hard-to-reach areas. An extender is a device that can help the gateway expand coverage in your home, by reducing weak spots or dead zones and increasing your internet speed in those areas.
There are two types of extenders:
- Wi-Fi range extenders
- Smart extenders that support a mesh network
While Wi-Fi range extenders improve weak spots and eliminate dead zones, they can’t provide a seamless Wi-Fi experience when moving across nodes. When doing so, the device is forced to disconnect and rejoin new Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs, or in other words, different Wi-Fi networks), disrupting the Wi-Fi experience for mobile devices.
On the other hand, smart Wi-Fi extenders are sophisticated enough to solve these issues and are easier to set up and manage.
AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender includes the most advanced mesh extender technology. If you’ve determined you need to add the Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service to your All-Fi experience, we highly recommend using the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender provided. Read more about Wi-Fi extenders
Reasons why we recommend using the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender:
- AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender technology supports a mesh network and is designed to work seamlessly with AT&T’s advanced Wi-Fi gateway. However, not all extenders have mesh technology, so using third-party extenders in this case will likely not provide optimal Wi-Fi experience and you’ll not be able to benefit from the latest Wi-Fi network (Wi-Fi 6) as you would with our smart extenders.*
- AT&T won’t be able to assist with troubleshooting issues with other extenders.
*Subject to availability.
What type of security plans are available with All-Fi?
One of the main advantages of having AT&T Fiber with All-Fi is the added network security. However, the level of protection you’ll get depends on your fiber speed tier plan.
Let’s review the two options for security plans based on the fiber speed tier:
- AT&T ActiveArmorSM internet security: 24/7 proactive internet security1 included, helps block malicious threats from ever reaching your device This is AT&T’s essential security plan for 300Mbps, 500Mbps, and 1 GIG fiber internet tiers. Its main advantages include:
- Built-in defense: Network firewall automatically blocks hundreds of malicious attacks every single day, keeping your connection fast and secure.2
- Connected device security: Proactively monitors every connected device to prevent internet threats while keeping you informed with alerts.
- Personal data protection: Protects and alerts users from sending sensitive data (such as your name, address, email, phone number, and financial data) through unencrypted connections and to potentially malicious websites.3
- AT&T ActiveArmorSM advanced internet security:This is AT&T’s most powerful network security software to keep you even more protected from malicious threats. It’s ideal for those who work at home and need extra security measures to keep data private and safe. You can add it for an extra charge to 1 GIG or under fiber internet speed tiers, but it’s included for 2 and 5 GIG speed plans. In addition to the protection covered in the base plan, you’ll also benefit from:
- VPN at Home: This feature helps you keep your digital information private and protect your connected household devices through secure network encryption.4
- Threat Activity Dashboard: With this, you’ll see how AT&T ActiveArmor is working to protect your network and connected devices with real-time insights on blocked threats.
- Advanced Content Controls: With these controls, you can safely browse the internet with simple, customizable security settings.5
- ID Monitoring: By setting this up, you’ll get daily alerts and useful tips if your personal information
has leaked.6
Can I replace the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway with my own Wi-Fi router?
The simple answer is no. This is because the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway is not only designed to replace the router(s) and provide a mesh internet network but is also required to access the network. You can however, elect to use a router behind a router configuration. This means you can tether a third-party mesh network behind our gateway. Yet, by doing so, it’ll likely negate the use of the mesh network, which is by far more advanced than the regular router technology.
Remember, the mesh network solves one major issue: weak internet connectivity. And as explained earlier in the article, adding a regular Wi-Fi range extender to a regular router (even when it’s used with our Wi-Fi gateway as a router behind a router configuration) can’t provide a seamless Wi-Fi experience.
However, when using the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway alone, as a router and modem, it’s performance can be elevated, if needed, by adding the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender, providing you with superior wall-to-wall conductivity around the house.
Another reason we recommend using the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway in tandem with AT&T Fiber with All-Fi is its ability to connect to Wi-Fi 6*—the most advanced Wi-Fi available to date. However, not all routers support the Wi-Fi 6 advanced technology.
Wi-Fi technology has been evolving alongside the tech advancements that improve how we communicate and consume content. To enjoy your modern device’s full potential, you would need it to connect seamlessly to the most advanced Wi-Fi. Together, the experience becomes optimal.
Learn more about Wi-Fi 6 and its advantages
*Subject to availability.
Will I need the All-Fi Hub or All-Fi Booster if I have AT&T Fiber with All-Fi?
All-FiTM Hub and All-Fi Booster are devices related to an entirely different AT&T broadband internet product called AT&T Internet Air (AIA). As such, they’re a different and separate experience than the All-Fi experience.
To avoid confusion, let’s quickly review these devices and understand what they do:
- AT&T All-Fi Hub: This device you place in your home provides your Wi-Fi by connecting to AIA. And while AT&T Fiber connects your home to the fiber network, AIA connects from your home to our wireless (cellular) network. We provide the hub when you set up AIA internet at your home. If you cancel your service, you’ll have to return your All-Fi Hub, and its power supply, along with any AT&T Wi-Fi extenders.
- All-Fi Booster: The All-Fi Booster is a device we provide if you add Extended Wi-Fi Service to your AIA home network. It helps increase the Wi-Fi coverage around your home, even reaching those hard-to-reach areas. If you cancel your service, you’ll have to return any boosters and their power supply.
Let’s take a moment to recap
AT&T All-Fi is an in-home ecosystem designed to deliver our best internet experience throughout your home. It’s made possible by creating a mesh network to deliver our best internet speed, reliability, security, and coverage. It’s available to all AT&T Fiber customers, regardless of the speed plan they signed up for.
Sometimes, AT&T Fiber with All-Fi customers experience slow internet. This can happen even though fiber internet and the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway provided are the most advanced in the market. In this case, we recommend taking measures to optimize your connectivity. If you’ve then determined the problem isn’t with your equipment, you can add AT&T Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service* to help increase connectivity and Wi-Fi speed around the house.
In terms of keeping your information safe and blocking online threats, all AT&T Fiber customers with All-Fi are entitled to AT&T’s ActiveArmor internet security service. There are two protection tiers to choose from, depending on the level of security and privacy you need.
And lastly, while you may think AT&T All-Fi Hub and All-Fi Booster are devices that belong to your AT&T Fiber with All-Fi plan, remember this is not the case. These devices are actually related to AT&T’s wireless internet service—AT&T Internet Air—which allows Wi-Fi service through AT&T’s cellular network.
*Subject to availability.