You’ll be glad to know that installing your own internet service at home is a lot better than getting it professionally installed.
Not only does it save you the installation fee, but you actually get to learn a lot in the process, and the result is always very gratifying. However, before you begin installing the service yourself, it is important for you to know how to go about it.
The first thing that you need to do is to decide what type of internet connection you need at home. In the case of AT&T, you have access to a superfast fiber internet connection, which is considered to be the best internet type all over the world.
Look into AT&T Fiber Internet plans so you can decide which internet plan you need before opting for self-installation. Once you make your decision, here are the steps to install the service on your own.
Take Care of the Prerequisites
Before you install your internet service, there are some prerequisites that you need to take care of so that the process is as seamless as possible.
The first thing that you need to do is to check whether you are eligible for self-installation or not. You can self-install the service if your home is pre-wired for service, or if you’ve had an AT&T service in the past. If you need new fiber optic cables in your home, then you’ll need a technician to visit your home.
The second thing you need to do is to check your activation date so that you can install the service accordingly. Don’t try to install the service until 2:00 pm or later on your activation date, which is mentioned on the packing slip.
Third, you need to make sure you have all the equipment you need for the self-installation process, which includes the AT&T gateway and the power and data cables. Once you have all these things in your equipment, you can begin installing your service.
Follow All the Steps of Installation
When you finally reach the installation process, the first step is to connect your gateway to the internet; otherwise, you won’t have an active internet service.
You have to locate the most appropriate wall jack, which is a phone jack for DSL internet service or an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) service box, which is usually in the basement, utility closet, or garage, so that you can have fiber internet service.
Then, you need to figure out the color-coded cables and use them accordingly. You will have to connect the cables from the wall jack to the matching color-coded ports at the back of the gateway.
The green cable goes into the DSL port on the gateway. The red cable for fiber is an Ethernet cable from the ONT’s Ethernet port to the gateway’s red port. The black cable is the power cord that you plug into a wall socket to give the gateway power.
Once all the cables are connected, you then have to power on the router to see if it works. The power light will turn red, which is normal. Then, after waiting for 10 minutes, the gateway will power up and the DSL light will turn green, indicating that there is an active connection. Do not remove any cables during this time.
Register Your Internet Network
Once you are done with the hardware part of the installation, next comes the software part.
Here, you have to use your smartphone or your computer to register your internet service. On your device, open your Wi-Fi settings and select your Wi-Fi’s name (SSID) and enter the 12-character password mentioned on the underside of your gateway.
Then, open a web browser, and the registration page should automatically open for you. If it doesn’t, just head to att.com/internet and follow the instructions you see on screen to proceed. This will help you register your internet connection.
Customize Your Settings to Have More Control
If you want the best experience out of your internet service, download the AT&T Smart Home Manager app on your smartphone, which will give you more control over your service. Once downloaded, sign in using your AT&T user ID and password.
Then, use the app to further customize your Wi-Fi settings. This includes your Wi-Fi’s name and password, testing the Wi-Fi strength, troubleshooting common issues, and even managing the connected devices to clear up bandwidth.
Now that you know everything about self-installing AT&T’s internet service like a pro, all you need to do is get yourself a subscription to the internet service, install it, and then enjoy the superfast speed of the internet connection!
Plus, you’ll also feel the satisfaction of setting up your own internet connection, which in itself is a wonderful feeling.