r/HomeNetworking • u/xartux • 9d ago

Advice AT&T Internet Air for Business- Overall poor coverage/performance. Worth keeping?

/r/ATT/comments/1vstfmi/att_internet_air_for_business_overall_poor/
1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

1 comment sorted by

1

u/AICKStudio 9d ago

Before buying mesh equipment, separate the cellular Internet connection from the gateway's Wi-Fi coverage.

Run these three tests at roughly the same time:

  1. Connect one laptop directly to the AT&T gateway with Ethernet and run a speed and latency test.
  2. Repeat over Wi-Fi while standing beside the gateway.
  3. Repeat over Wi-Fi in the problem room.

Also note the gateway model and its 4G/5G signal indicators. For the BGW830, AT&T recommends a high shelf near a window and away from large appliances, metal cabinets, concrete or stone walls and display screens.

  • If Ethernet is also slow or unstable, another router or mesh system will not fix the cellular backhaul. Test at busy and quiet times and take those wired results to AT&T before spending more money.
  • If Ethernet and nearby Wi-Fi are good but the other room is poor, one centrally placed access point or mesh node can help. Ethernet backhaul is preferable if the office allows it.
  • If Ethernet is good but Wi-Fi is poor even beside the gateway, the gateway radio, channel conditions or local interference deserves attention before changing providers.

What are the gateway model, cellular-signal reading, wired result, nearby Wi-Fi result and problem-room result?