AT&T's New Fiber Modem Can Connect to 5G if Your Wired Internet Is Out - CNET

Nov 05, 2024

Fiber and 5G home internet are coming together, though you may need to wait until next year.

AT&T has a new internet gateway that combines its fiber-wired internet offering with its 5G-based wireless broadband option. On Wednesday the carrier is introducing a new device that not only functions as a modem and router for fiber, but will also be capable of connecting to the carrier's 5G network if the wired network goes down.

The new product will be available starting Wednesday to "select new AT&T Business Fiber customers who order speeds of 1 Gbps or higher" in Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas. The option will be available nationwide starting "early next year."

Read more: CNET's Review of AT&T Internet

For business users who want this capability, a new modem/router (dubbed "CGW452") is needed. The new gateway has an "automatic failover and recovery" feature that detects if the fiber network goes down and then automatically switches the internet connection to 5G. When the fiber network comes back online, the device will switch back to using that connection.

AT&T's new business modem supports both fiber and 5G connections. It can also function as a Wi-Fi 6E router.

The carrier says the transition is supposed to "seamlessly" switch between the two connectivity options, so in theory you may not even realize that you were moved from fiber to 5G. AT&T says that you can expect 5G speeds between 25Mbps and 300Mbps when on the wireless network, though the service will not be limited by any data caps and the company says it will not be charging any overage fees.

In addition to being a modem, the new device will also function as a Wi-Fi 6E router.

An AT&T spokesperson tells CNET that the company is working on a consumer version of the product that will be available "in the coming months" for those that have both its fiber offering and wireless service.

"Our goal is to provide reliable connectivity with simple, enjoyable customer experiences every day," a company spokesperson tells CNET. "With Internet Backup, we can help AT&T Fiber customers with an AT&T postpaid unlimited wireless plan stay online in the event of a fiber outage by quickly transitioning their home connectivity to our wireless network until fiber service is restored."

AT&T is currently running a trial of the feature for "select households in Dallas" and isn't charging extra for the functionality.