Will a router speed up my internet speed on an at&t 2wire?

[TechNerdz]

Hello,
I'd like to know how much a router would boost my internet speed while browsing, streaming, gaming etc. I always have a wired ethernet connection on my desktop, due to wired connections being more reliable with ping times and such. I currently have the stock AT&T 2wire 3800HGV-B router/modem provided by AT&T. I also have the router I'm thinking about linked at the bottom.
We are supposed to be getting 12 Mb/s download, and 2 Mb/s upload.

Router link: http://

 

[abailey]

If your ATT modem/router is set up correctly then your wired clients will not see an improvement in speed, in fact you may see a small decrease in speed because you still have to have the ATT modem/router to convert the incoming signal to ethernet for your use. I don't believe that ATT modem/router can be put in "bridge" mode, thus you have to use its DMZ. This means the ATT modem is still having to do some processing of the packets. Thus adding a second device like the Linksys router, could actually cause a small decrease in performance. Now it is no doubt the Linksys can do more advanced routing and firewall things than the ATT, as well as having better wireless. Thus it may be worth it to you to purchase the Linksys if that is what your looking for.

 

[spdragoo]

So what are the current speeds you're getting? Realizing, of course, that is it labeled as "up to 12Mb/s up and 2Mb/s down": that's the theoretical maximum you can expect, but expect to average about 90% of that with good infrastructure, & maybe a bit less if there are a lot of other AT&T customers in the neighborhood downloading at the same time. ISPs are generally unwilling to build enough bandwidth in an area to provide maximum speeds to 100% of their customers simultaneously in an area; it cuts too much of the profit out that pays for their executives' exorbitant paychecks & company perks.

Now, if you're consistently getting 8 Mb/s up & 1 Mb/s down or slower, or if a speed test is consistently showing low QoS (Quality of Service) -- in the range of 80% or lower -- then you're looking at a significant issue. But it's also going to point more to a problem with the infrastructure in the area: either they've added too many new customers without increasing the available pipeline for the data, or there's a problem with AT&T's equipment in the area.

As for getting a router...the AT&T modem is your single point of contact to AT&T's physical network. You should only be adding a router to a) add new functionality that the AT&T modem doesn't have (i.e. if the modem doesn't have Wi-Fi but you have a laptop you want to use), or b) to extend existing capabilities (i.e. you want a more powerful/more secure Wi-Fi signal, or you need more Ethernet ports than the modem has available). Otherwise, you're better off sticking with what you have.

 

[Larry Hoezee]

So what are the current speeds you're getting? Realizing, of course, that is it labeled as "up to 12Mb/s up and 2Mb/s down": that's the theoretical maximum you can expect, but expect to average about 90% of that with good infrastructure, & maybe a bit less if there are a lot of other AT&T customers in the neighborhood downloading at the same time. ISPs are generally unwilling to build enough bandwidth in an area to provide maximum speeds to 100% of their customers simultaneously in an area; it cuts too much of the profit out that pays for their executives' exorbitant paychecks & company perks.

Now, if you're consistently getting 8 Mb/s up & 1 Mb/s down or slower, or if a speed test is consistently showing low QoS (Quality of Service) -- in the range of 80% or lower -- then you're looking at a significant issue. But it's also going to point more to a problem with the infrastructure in the area: either they've added too many new customers without increasing the available pipeline for the data, or there's a problem with AT&T's equipment in the area.

As for getting a router...the AT&T modem is your single point of contact to AT&T's physical network. You should only be adding a router to a) add new functionality that the AT&T modem doesn't have (i.e. if the modem doesn't have Wi-Fi but you have a laptop you want to use), or b) to extend existing capabilities (i.e. you want a more powerful/more secure Wi-Fi signal, or you need more Ethernet ports than the modem has available). Otherwise, you're better off sticking with what you have.

 

[Larry Hoezee]

I switched from AT&T to Charter Internet. Only paying $29.95 for 30 Mbs. and they are presently offering 60 mbs. for the same price if in your area. I was told that would be an automatic switch to the faster speed for the same price hopefully in the next 90 days as it will be coming in my area. Otherwise I would call AT&T to see if your speed is at the proper setting which your paying for. Sometimes it needs to be checked. You may have to enter different settings in the router which they take care of or you may have to manually change. Please also read www.antivirusremovaltool.com/how-to-speed-up-internet