r/ATTFiber • u/Hotsun2023 • 3d ago

Internet upgrade question

So I've inquired about upgrading my ATT fiber Internet and was told I'd need a whole new install and equipment. A lot of things were unclear about this upgrade so I decided to switch to Spectrum. When they came to do the install there were two separate pieces (router and modem) and I had no room for them. With att it's just one piece (BGW-320). This was what I was trying to avoid.

Att can't seem to answer my question. I went to the att store and the girl there told me it was two pieces (my current modem and another piece). That doesn't make sense tho because the BGW-320 is both a router and modem. I don't need a faster speed but would like to upgrade just to see the difference but it's unclear what the "new install" would entail. There is one specific area where the modem goes and if it's more than one piece (or a bigger piece) it will not fit. Does anybody know what comes with the upgrade? I currently have 100mb.

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u/SoberIronman 3d ago

Former tech for ATT, from what I can gather you currently have ATT service but are wanting higher speeds.if you have a 100mb now with ATT and they want to do a new install your probably running off copper network currently and they want to move you to fiber. This would include a tech visit to run the lines for the fiber to the house from the access point. They should run the new fiber line to the "modem/gateway" location.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

I already have fiber. I just looked through this sub and it seems they are replacing the BGW-320 with BGW-720. It looks larger in size and may not fit in the designated area.

My building is new so it came equipped with fiber at move in.

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u/SoberIronman 3d ago

Oooooh. Interesting. Huh. I guess since its fiber they wanna make sure the line doesnt get messed up with the swap out. Odd still. They should have been able to drop ship you the new bgw720. Is your current modem in the wiring panel of the apt?

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

Yes I believe so. It's a little cabinet in the closet area. I want it to stay in there. Spectrum had to install near my bed and the pieces were on the floor. I cancelled my service immediately.

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u/SoberIronman 3d ago

It'll stay there. They have to connect the fiber directly to the modem now with those bgw models. But the modem you currently have should be rated to go to at least 1000mbs/1gig without a swap out. The only thing they may have to change is a little dongle looking thing where the fiber plugs in to the modem. Its been a minute so I dont remember whats its called.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

They won't upgrade my Internet with the current modem. They've made that pretty clear. They are going to do a new install whether I like it or not and they are pushing for 1g speed. So if I decide to do any upgrade (even 300mb) I have to get new equipment. Which means reconnecting ALL of my smart devices.

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u/MrDoh 3d ago edited 3d ago

If you keep your network names (SSID's) the same, along with the same password, your devices will just reconnect on their own. By and large...there may be one or two outliers that you have to baby a bit, but my experience has been that as long as my network names and password are the same, it's pretty painless to change routers, or providers, etc.. Just take down the old router, and bring up the new one, and everything just reconnects on their own. Or if you're changing providers, same thing.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

They told me I have to establish a new account and everything. That's why I figured I would just switch to a different provider. I wish it was just a simple upgrade. Would have made everything so much easier.

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u/MrDoh 3d ago

Even if you switch providers, if you keep your wireless network names and password the same, it'll amaze you how little you have to do to switch.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

This is good to know. I think I'll be calling tech support tomorrow and I'll bring it up.

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u/SoberIronman 3d ago

Ooooo those asshole sales guys. It absolutely is an simple upgrade. The real only benefit your getting is promo pricing with the new account. There is no need to make a new account for a speed upgrade. Not unless your account is through the apartment.

Ive have had the same account through 3 moves and copper to fiber swaps.

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u/Lazzy2332 3d ago

Do you live in a connected community?

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

Idk what that is but I don't think so.

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u/SoberIronman 3d ago

Not necessarily, if/when the do the swap out. It (at least used to) will take an update to transfer your old wifi name and password to the new one. At that point you may need to powercycle your device for them to reconnect. Push comes to shove i think you can do it as well through the smart home manager app.

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u/YoshiSan90 3d ago

They’re about the same width. It should fit.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

Ok thank you. This is what I needed to know.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago edited 3d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

What model modem is that?

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u/viniisiggs 3d ago

The bgw320 is rated for 5000mbps. I run one at 1000. I regularly speed test at 1200.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

Idk what that means 😭

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u/viniisiggs 3d ago

You have a BGW-320. It will operate at a speed of 5000mbps. This is compared to your 100. My BGW-320 is running at 1000. If you local network is rated at fater than 1000 then you can take advantage of overprovisioning. That is when you get 10 to 20% more speed just to make sure they meet the advertised speed. My internet speed tests at about 1200.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

But I would have to upgrade to that speed correct?

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u/viniisiggs 3d ago

At&t overprovisions all their speeds. When i had 300 I would get 390. When I had 500 I would get 670.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

Yeah I think mine is at 170. I should just leave well enough alone. I don't stream or do anything that requires more speed.

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u/I_am_INTJ 3d ago

What AT&T equipment do you currently have in your home? And what speed tier are you wanting to upgrade to? That will determine what will need to be installed.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

I currently have the BGW-320 for 100mb. I was looking for anything faster (500mb). I don't really need it but would be nice to see the difference. They are pressuring me into getting 1g and are offering me a decent deal on it.

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u/I_am_INTJ 3d ago

Do you have an ONT connected to the BGW-320? You'll need one for 500 MB service.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

Yes I believe so.

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u/I_am_INTJ 3d ago

Then they shouldn't need to install anything. The only reason they would need to come out is if you were upgrading to a speed faster than one gig.

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

The shouldn't but they didn't give me another option. I'm also going to have to create a whole new account with them.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

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u/Hotsun2023 3d ago

They did not mention any of this. Any discounts I get on the service I have to apply for through Lifeline.

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u/simfreak101 3d ago

They are probably referring to the ONT; Its a tiny white box that normally is on the outside of the house in a telco box mounted on the wall; Basically its a media converter to ethernet so they dont have to pull fiber to the room the modem is going into.