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danachit's profile

New Member

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6 Messages

Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 2:48 AM

ATT Fiber Internet Only Strong Right by the Equipment -Fair & Weak elsewhere

We are new AT&T fiber customers with the 300 plan. Our home is new and we have a 'data' closet with our equipment. Our wifi signal is only strong in the ten feet surrounding the equipment, even when I pull it out into the hallway. But who wants equipment as a trip hazard??

I say 'equipment because I don't know the lingo like so many of you guys. Modem? Router? All that.

So here's the thing. My verizon is non-existant and I have a signal extender (that relies on wifi)  I have dropped calls every day, constantly. My wifi signal won't make it out to the patio and we'd like to put a TV out there.

Same for our guest rooms.

Yes, I know AT&T has exenders, but should I really have to pay for the equipment to do its job?

I did look into ordering the AT&T extender but it's for one, and honestly, I would need at least two. We have an upstairs. The signal is just awful.

What do we do? Buy a third party and try that? Try to call AT&T support? Last time I did that, it was a six hour call and I'm still traumatized. Not even kidding.

I want to love AT&T, I do.  Definitely willing and wanting this to be a win and get better. Ideas? 

Contributor

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9 Messages

1 year ago

I feel your pain. I’m in the same boat as you. We just upgraded to the fiber 500 and I have 2 extenders from ATT that I previously purchased. The Wi-Fi is okay but even with the extenders I seem to have dead spots and weak connections on some of my devices. What I plan on doing is ditching the extenders and purchasing a true mesh system like Eero. There are some threads on here about how to put your ATT Residential Gateway  into pass through mode and setup a separate Wi-Fi network. It (Edited per community guidelines) that I have to spend more money on a whole new system but the ATT equipment isn’t working for me. I was actually getting better Wi-Fi coverage with my old Internet 50 plan with the extenders than I am with the fiber and extenders. It’s almost as if the extenders aren’t compatible with the fiber. That’s my plan, I just need to find the time to devote to this project. Good luck!

(edited)

New Member

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6 Messages

1 year ago

Sorry you're dealing with that. That sounds frustrating!

Part of the issue is that you guys seem to understand the nuts and the bolts of all the inner workings of this stuff and everyone uses lingo that I have no idea how to understand. 

I wish someone would post step by step guides, as if they were talking to their grandmom, on how to set these things up.

I'd be willing to try the AT&T extenders but the idea of trying to cancel and send it back gives me the shivers. 

(edited)

Contributor

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9 Messages

1 year ago

The main problem with a home Wi-Fi network is that what works for me doesn’t network for you. The layout of my house is different than your house etc. Honestly, you have 2 choices: you can educate yourself about how this Tech works or you can pay someone to do it for you. One thing I wouldn’t do is to tell ATT about the issues you’re having because it will only aggravate you. There should be some networking individuals in your area that might be able to help you. It’s going to cost you in time or money, your choice

New Member

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6 Messages

1 year ago

Thanks Mike. I would actually love to hire someone to help set this up and...I'd like to learn. Not even sure where to begin in finding the right person. As in, I don't even know how to word a shout out on our community FB page. "Internetty person who understands networks and wifi and extenders and fiber to draw me a cartoon and help me buy the right thing-a-ma-jiggy."  :-) 

New Member

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29 Messages

1 year ago

Hello,

As I see from your previous messages, you definitely need at least 2 extenders, from ATT you can get up to 3 extenders with a 10$ monthly fee. You can start with 2 not to have to do to much work and over complicate yourself. They can be placed at least 30ft away from each other, or two walls (the ones from ATT) and from RG (Gateway, Modem, Router). If the modem is installed in the closet (because that's the way it is), the Wi-Fi signal will be impacted quite a lot, so I would strongly recommend you to get an extender or two, from ATT or any other store (they do the same job). Also the extenders have LAN ports that you can connect your Verizon signal router (or how is called) to improve your carrier signal. Bottom line, you can get up to 3 extenders from ATT with a 10$ monthly fee buy calling 8002882020 or using Smart Home Manager application, or you can visit any store you prefer (Amazon, BestBuy, etc.) and buy anything you prefer.

(edited)

Contributor

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9 Messages

1 year ago

Danachit, something just occurred to me. You said your house is new and that you have a “data closet”.  I’m guessing that when your house was being built, they ran Ethernet cables to most of the rooms in your house. Ethernet cables are like the old landline phone wires you plugged in to the wall and they carry data. You need to look and see if you have Ethernet jacks in the rooms. If you do have Ethernet cables, that is good news for you since Ethernet is way better than Wi-Fi for connecting your devices to the internet. You just need to plug into the port (jack) and you’re on the internet.  If you are still getting poor Wi-Fi with your cell phones you would plug an extender into an Ethernet jack and you will have amazing Wi-Fi in that room. Go see if they ran the cables. Hope this helps!

New Member

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6 Messages

1 year ago

YES, and I never understood what it meant! We have standard cable things in all the bedrooms but in the master bedroom and the den there is a jack looking data thing. 

So...now, could you explain exactly what I should do now? I'm not kidding, please talking to me like I'm about six years old.

Buy an extender. check.

But....most I see plug in. they don't have a wire sticking out to plug into a data thing.

How would this change the set up?

What about the issues I hear about dropped calls (my verizon is on wifi) if you are moving around the house? Would I do better with a mesh system? 

Community Support

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230.7K Messages

1 year ago

We're here to assist with your Wi-Fi concerns, @danachit!

 

Due to the nature of your request, let's move this conversation into a direct message. This way we can run additional tests on your services. Be on the lookout for a chat notification in the upper right-hand portion of the page, next to the bell icon.

 

In the meantime, we recommend using our Smart Home Manager app to determine where the weak Wi-Fi spots are in your residence. Along with that we have helpful tips on optimizing your Wi-Fi as well.

 

We look forward to speaking with you!

 

CalebP, AT&T Community Specialist 

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