A screenshot of a result from speedtest.net. — Jim Rossman/TNS
This week, a reader writes, “I’ve had AT&T internet service for quite some time and still have the original router and modem. Should I upgrade for security and performance reasons? Should I ask AT&T for an upgrade, or should I get one myself? If so, what would be a good one to buy now?”
You can certainly call AT&T and ask them to check the age of your modem/router. You can tell them you are concerned about security and speed. In this case, speed means two things: the speed of the connection to your house, and the speed of the WiFi connection from your AT&T modem/router to your wireless devices.
Before you call, you should run a speed test to see if the modem is providing the internet bandwidth you are paying for. You can test your internet connection at https://www.att.com/support/speedtest. You can also verify your speed through a third-party site like www.speedtest.net.
Ask them if equipment upgrades are available on your service plan.
If you have a DSL plan, your options are probably limited. I’m not sure there is much development in DSL modem/router boxes that would be better than what you have – especially if you are getting the download/upload speeds you are paying for.
If you have fiber internet service, modem/router boxes are available that have WiFi 6, which is not the fastest WiFi speed available (that would be WiFi 6E), but it is pretty good. WiFi 7 has been announced, but the standard is still in development.
If AT&T can’t provide an upgrade, you can use your own, faster WiFi 6 or 6E router with your existing modem.
At my home, I have AT&T Fiber 1000 service running through a modem with WiFi 5. When I wanted faster WiFi, I purchased my own mesh WiFi 6 system from Eero.
I connected one Eero router to my AT&T modem with an ethernet cable.
I have two additional Eero routers that I have spaced out in my home to extend the signal throughout the house.
I have the Eero set up in bridge mode, which means my AT&T modem still handles the internet routing and the Eero system just handles WiFi.
My slower AT&T WiFi network is still active, though I don’t use it. I could turn it off in the modem settings, but I have not.
You are always free to connect whatever WiFi router is appropriate for your needs. – Tribune News Service
