Tag Archive for: Business Broadband Review

Key Takeaway: After deploying AT&T Business Fiber to over 50 small businesses in South Florida, we've found that it delivers consistent performance that justifies the premium over cable internet. Real-world speeds consistently hit 940+ Mbps on gigabit plans, uptime averages 99.8% annually, and remarkably low 2-6ms latency makes video conferencing noticeably smoother than cable alternatives. The 1 Gig plan at $160/month includes built-in 5G backup (eliminating the need for a separate backup internet connection) and 2 months free service, representing exceptional value for businesses ready to eliminate connectivity as a productivity variable. The symmetric speeds and sub-5ms latency justify fiber's premium for video-heavy and cloud-dependent operations.

🎁 Current Promotion: 1 Gig and higher plans include 2 months free service plus built-in 5G wireless backup at no extra cost. This effectively reduces year-one cost to ~$133/month while providing automatic failover connectivity. Optional wireless bundle discounts can save an additional $30-70/month for businesses already using AT&T Business wireless service.

1 Gig Plan (1000/1000 Mbps)

• Peak hours (9 AM – 5 PM): 940-980 Mbps download, 920-950 Mbps upload
• Off-peak hours: 950-990 Mbps download, 940-970 Mbps upload
• Consistency: Speed variance typically under 5% throughout the day

500 Mbps Plan (500/500 Mbps)

• Peak hours: 480-510 Mbps both directions
• Off-peak hours: 490-520 Mbps both directions
• Consistency: Minimal variation even during high-traffic periods

300 Mbps Plan (300/300 Mbps)

• Peak hours: 290-320 Mbps both directions
• Off-peak hours: 300-330 Mbps both directions
• Consistency: Reliable performance for offices under 15 users

Typical Latency Values

• Microsoft services: 3-5ms
• Google Cloud services: 2-4ms
• Cloudflare CDN: 2-3ms
• AWS US-East-1 (N. Virginia): 4-6ms
• Zoom media servers: 3-5ms
• Local Miami data centers: 1-3ms

For comparison, cable internet connections typically measure 12-20ms to the same endpoints—a difference that becomes noticeable in video calls with multiple participants.

Video Conference Advantages

• Consistent quality: 1080p video maintains stability even with 8+ concurrent Zoom meetings
• Screen sharing responsiveness: Noticeably smoother than cable, especially with detailed graphics
• Audio quality: Clear audio with minimal jitter or packet loss
• Upload stability: Symmetric bandwidth eliminates common “your connection is unstable” warnings
• Multi-user performance: Quality remains consistent as more users join meetings

Fiber-Ready Buildings

Timeline: 2-3 weeks from order to activation

Process:

• Week 1: Service qualification and order processing
• Week 2: Inside wiring assessment (1-hour site visit)
• Week 3: Equipment installation and activation (2-4 hours)

Requirements: Access to telecom room, power outlet near ONT location, coordination with building management

Fiber Construction Required

Timeline: 90-120 days from order to activation

Process:

• Weeks 1-2: Site survey and construction planning
• Weeks 3-8: Permitting and coordination with city/property
• Weeks 9-12: Fiber construction to building
• Week 13: Inside wiring and equipment installation

Requirements: Property owner approval, easement access, and construction coordination

Installation Tip

Request ONT placement near your network equipment room. The fiber connection terminates at the ONT, and you'll need power and Ethernet connectivity at that location. Plan this before installation day to avoid inconvenient ONT placement.

Current Promotion: 2 Months Free + 5G Backup

1 Gig and higher plans include 2 months free service plus built-in 5G wireless internet backup at no extra cost. This provides automatic failover during fiber outages, eliminating the need for a separate backup internet. Promotion terms apply—verify availability for your location.

How 5G Backup Works

• Automatic failover: When the fiber connection drops, the 5G backup activates within seconds
• Sufficient capacity: 5G provides 100-300 Mbps during failover—adequate for critical operations
• No configuration needed: Built into the AT&T gateway, works automatically
• No data caps: Unlimited usage during backup periods
• Included in price: No additional monthly fees for 5G backup service

5G Backup Limitations

While 5G backup provides excellent redundancy for most businesses, it's not the same as having dual fiber connections. 5G speed and latency are inferior to fiber (typically 100-300 Mbps and 20-40ms latency). For businesses requiring complete redundancy with identical performance, dual fiber circuits or fiber + cable backup provide a better failover experience. The 5G backup serves well for maintaining critical operations during primary fiber outages, but bandwidth-intensive activities will experience reduced performance.

Bundle Discount Tiers

• 300 Mbps: $70/mo standalone → $40/mo with wireless ($30 savings)
• 500 Mbps: $110/mo standalone → $80/mo with wireless ($30 savings)
• 1 Gig: $160/mo standalone → $130/mo with wireless ($30 savings)
• 2 Gig: $185/mo standalone → Bundled pricing available
• 5 Gig: $285/mo standalone → Bundled pricing available

AT&T ActiveArmor Features

• Advanced threat detection: Network-level protection against malware and malicious sites
• 24/7 monitoring: Automated security threat monitoring
• Spam call blocking: Integrated with wireless lines
• Security alerts: Proactive notifications of potential threats
• Identity monitoring: Available for business accounts

1 Gig Plan Value Proposition

• Best cost-per-Mbps: At $0.16 per Mbps, significantly better value than 300 or 500 Mbps plans
• Minimal incremental cost: Only $50/month more than 500 Mbps for double the speed
• Built-in 5G backup included: Automatic failover during fiber outages at no extra cost
• 2 months free promotion: Current offer effectively reduces first-year cost to ~$133/month
• Future-proof capacity: Supports growth from 30 to 50+ employees without service upgrade
• No bandwidth anxiety: Eliminates the need to monitor usage or restrict activities
• Multi-location VPN: Sufficient bandwidth for site-to-site VPN with multiple branch offices
• Cloud backup headroom: Upload speeds support aggressive backup schedules without impacting operations
• Video conferencing buffer: Handles 15+ simultaneous HD video conferences with margin

💰 Optional Wireless Bundle Discount

Businesses with AT&T wireless service can save $30-70/month on fiber internet through bundle discounts. The 1 Gig plan drops to $130/month when bundled—making it even more attractive. However, the $160 standalone pricing remains competitive even without bundling.

300 Mbps at $70/mo Makes Sense When:

• Your business has fewer than 15 regular employees
• Primary applications are web-based with minimal file transfers
• Video conferencing is occasional rather than constant
• Budget constraints make the $90/month difference to 1 Gig significant
• You can accurately predict that bandwidth needs won't exceed 250 Mbps peak usage
• Backup internet handled separately (no need for built-in 5G backup)

500 Mbps at $110/mo Makes Sense When:

• You have 15-30 employees with moderate cloud application usage
• Regular video conferencing, but not heavily dependent on it
• Cloud backup needs are moderate (50-100 GB daily)
• You want better performance than 300 Mbps without a 1 Gig commitment
• Growth expectations remain within current capacity for 2+ years
• The $50/month savings over 1 Gig helps budget allocation

Disclosure: iFeelTech is an AT&T Business Fiber affiliate partner. We may earn a commission when you purchase AT&T Business Fiber service through our links at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on hands-on deployment experience and real-world performance testing across 50+ business installations.

Consider Cable Internet When:

• Your building has immediate cable availability, but requires 90+ day fiber construction
• Upload speeds under 35 Mbps sufficiently support your operations
• Budget constraints make the $40-60 monthly premium significant
• You're in a temporary location and want to avoid a long-term commitment
• Latency requirements are less stringent (12-20ms acceptable vs 2-6ms)
• Your business has fewer than 10 employees with light cloud usage
• Built-in 5G backup isn't valued (you already have backup, or don't need it)

Recommended Network Architecture

For optimal performance with AT&T Business Fiber:

• ONT: AT&T's optical network terminal (fiber to Ethernet conversion)
• Gateway in passthrough: BGW320-500 configured for IP passthrough
• Your network: Professional router, switches, and access points
• Management: Full control over network features and security

Backup Strategy Options

Option 1: Use Included 5G Backup (1 Gig+ plans)

• Cost: Included ($0 additional)
• Failover speed: 100-300 Mbps typically
• Best for: Businesses where reduced performance during outages is acceptable
• Limitation: Single carrier dependency (both fiber and 5G on AT&T)

Option 2: Add Cable Internet Backup

• Cost: $50-70/month for basic cable service
• Benefit: Separate physical infrastructure reduces common failure modes
• Best for: Businesses requiring true redundancy with diverse carriers
• Total cost: $210-230/month (AT&T Fiber + cable backup)

Option 3: Dual Fiber Circuits

• Cost: Additional $160+ for second fiber connection
• Benefit: Identical performance on both circuits
• Best for: Mission-critical operations requiring seamless failover
• Total cost: $320+/month for dual fiber setup

Business Support Features

• 24/7 availability: Technical support is accessible any time
• Shorter hold times: Business queue typically under 10 minutes
• Escalation path: Direct access to higher-tier support when needed
• Proactive monitoring: AT&T monitors network health and contacts you before you notice issues
• SLA option: 99.9% uptime guarantee available with credits for violations

Does AT&T Business Fiber require a contract?

AT&T offers both contract and month-to-month options. Contract terms typically run 12-36 months with early termination fees. Month-to-month costs approximately $20-30 more per month but provides flexibility. For established businesses, the contract rate makes more sense. For newer businesses or temporary locations, month-to-month reduces commitment risk despite higher monthly cost.

Can I use my own router with AT&T Business Fiber?

Yes. Configure the provided BGW320-500 gateway in IP Passthrough mode, then connect your router to the gateway's LAN port. This arrangement gives you complete control over routing, firewalls, VPNs, and WiFi while meeting AT&T's authentication requirements. We implement this configuration on virtually all our deployments.

What happens if fiber is damaged during construction near my office?

Fiber cuts do occur, typically during third-party construction or landscaping. AT&T typically repairs fiber cuts within 4-8 hours. This represents another argument for backup internet—construction-related outages affect any single-connection business, regardless of technology type.

Does AT&T Business Fiber include static IP addresses?

Static IP addresses cost an additional ($15-25/month, typically. For most businesses, dynamic IP with DDNS suffices. Static IPs benefit businesses that host on-premises servers, VPN concentrators, or other services that require consistent external addressing. Our network design guide covers when static IPs provide value versus when they're an unnecessary expense.

How does AT&T Business Fiber perform with VoIP phone systems?

Excellent. The low latency (4-13ms typical) and consistent bandwidth eliminate common VoIP issues like jitter, packet loss, and voice quality degradation. We've deployed numerous cloud-based phone systems over AT&T Business Fiber with zero voice quality complaints. The symmetric upload speeds particularly benefit offices with 10+ simultaneous calls.

Can AT&T Business Fiber handle multiple site-to-site VPNs?

Yes. The symmetric gigabit speeds provide substantial headroom for VPN overhead. We've implemented deployments with 3-4 site-to-site VPN tunnels running continuously without performance impact. For businesses with multiple locations, the reliable fiber connection creates stable VPN performance.

What's included with AT&T Business Fiber installation?

Standard installation includes fiber connection to your building (if already constructed), ONT installation, inside wiring up to 150 feet, gateway configuration, and service activation testing. Custom inside wiring beyond 150 feet, wall penetrations requiring structural modification, or special equipment mounting may incur additional charges. Discuss requirements during initial site survey.

Does AT&T Business Fiber support multi-gig equipment?

Yes. The ONT provides a 10 Gbps Ethernet handoff, allowing you to utilize plans up to 5 Gbps with appropriate equipment. For 2 Gig or 5 Gig plans, you'll need network equipment supporting 2.5 GbE or 10 GbE—most business-grade routers and switches now include these interfaces. Our multi-gig network guide covers equipment requirements.

Phase 1: Planning & Qualification (Week 1)

• Check fiber availability for your address
• Identify an ideal ONT location near the network equipment
• Confirm power outlet availability at the ONT location
• Determine if you need a static IP address(es)
• Calculate bandwidth requirements using our business internet calculator
• Decide on a backup internet strategy

Phase 2: Order & Coordination (Weeks 2-3)

• Place a service order with AT&T Business
• Schedule a site survey if required
• Coordinate with building management for access
• Order network equipment if using your own router
• Plan installation timing around business operations

Phase 3: Installation & Testing (Week 3-4)

• Be present during installation to guide ONT placement
• Verify speeds before technicians leave
• Configure the gateway in passthrough mode (if using your own router)
• Test critical applications and services
• Document configuration for future reference

Phase 4: Optimization & Monitoring (Ongoing)

• Monitor actual performance against expectations
• Fine-tune QoS settings for optimal application performance
• Test backup internet failover (if implemented)
• Document support contacts and account details
• Review bandwidth utilization quarterly for capacity planning