IPv6 and AT&T Internet services

Every device on the Internet uses an identifier called an IP (Internet Protocol) address. These unique addresses provide the means for each device to locate and communicate with other Internet-connected devices. This includes personal computers, servers, websites, mobile devices, connected cameras, and more.

IPv4 addressing structure has been the standard for many years, but it’s limited to around 4 billion usable addresses. As such, it’s unable to sustain the expansive growth of the Internet ecosystem. Consequently, next-generation IPv6 protocol was developed to replace IPv4, as IPv4 addresses reach depletion. IPv6 provides virtually unlimited address availability and allows the Internet to grow well into the future.

IPv4-based networks are expected to co-exist with IPv6-based networks for many years. In most cases, your Internet-connected devices and applications will detect and use IPv6 without requiring additional action.

Since IPv4 and IPv6 will co-exist for a long time, there are several methods to manage the transition and extend the life of existing infrastructure:

• Dual Stack allows IPv4 and IPv6 to co-exist in the same devices and networks.
• Tunneling allows IPv6 packets to be transmitted over IPv4 infrastructure - and vice-versa.
• Translation allows IPv6-only devices to communicate with IPv4-only devices.

You’ll be happy to know the slow rollout of IPv6 over a period of years will bring no immediate impact to your AT&T Internet service. You’ll still be able to access your email, favorite Internet websites, and content as you do today for quite some time. You will only need to be ready when you attempt to access Internet content that is available by IPv6 only. To find out if a website is available by IPv4, IPv6, or both, visit our Web site compatibility tool.

AT&T has been supporting the transition to IPv6 for years by upgrading our network and enabling our IPv6-capable gateways through automatic firmware updates. Firmware updates began in 2011 and will continue into the future. To determine if your modem or Wi-Fi gateway is IPv6 compatible, run the AT&T IPv6 Compatibility Tool test.

If not already IPv6 compatible, AT&T will update most all Wi-Fi Gateways to support IPv6 by automatically updating firmware. Please do not call Customer Care requesting a firmware update sooner or for an exact date, as we cannot provide this information.

AT&T equipment that is IPv6 capable includes the following:

DSL services

• Motorola - Motorola 3360
• Netgear – Netgear 6200, Netgear 7550
• Pace – Pace 4111n

AT&T Internet services

• Motorola – NVG510
• 2Wire – 2Wire 3600, 2Wire 3800, 2Wire 3801, 2Wire i38HG, 2Wire i3812v
• Pace – Pace 5031, Pace 5168, Pace 5268
• Arris – BGW210, NVG589, NVG599, NVG595
• Humax/Nokia – BGW320

Note: If you have a device not listed above and want to upgrade to an IPv6-capable device: DSL customers visit the AT&T Equipment Shop and all others Contact us.

If you are using additional networking equipment (e.g., a third party router, repeater, switch, access point, etc.) you will need to contact the manufacturer of that equipment to determine if it is IPv6-compatible. Most home network users will not require additional configuration to use IPv6 on AT&T’s network, provided they are using IPv6-compatible equipment.