AT&T announced today that its new fixed wireless access (FWA) home internet service, named Internet Air, is now available in more than a dozen markets across the U.S. The emphasis here is on the customer installation process, which AT&T says can be done in five easy steps, with the customer up and running in less than 15 minutes.  No tech dispatch or truck rolls are necessary to install this FWA home internet service.

AT&T is now the third nationwide mobile network operator (MNO) to launch a 5G FWA home internet service.  Verizon is the current FWA leader, followed by T-Mobile.  USCellular has also launched a 5G FWA service in the area it serves (not nationwide).

AT&T says they’ve already deployed Internet Air to existing copper-based (DSL) customers with great success.  The company is now hyper-focused on selecting locations with enough wireless coverage and capacity to deliver not only a great in-home experience, but also maintain a top-notch wireless service for our existing mobile users.

Installation: Upon opening the box, customers will scan a QR code to access a step-by-step guide providing clear instructions. AT&T Smart Home Manager app makes set-up fool-proof with the use of a unique feature that helps you find the best spot in your home with the strongest connection. We also offer add-on Wi-Fi extenders to create a whole-home mesh Wi-Fi eliminating dead zones.  While connectivity will always be our focus, we understand customers want a product that is visually appealing and easy to use. AT&T Internet Air sports a sleek and modern look that seamlessly blends into any design aesthetic.

AT&T Internet Air complements  AT&T Fiber, expanding our footprint into new locations including areas of Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA: Cincinnati, OH; Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Las Vegas, NV; Phoenix (Prescott), AZ; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Flint-Saginaw-Bay City, MI; Hartford-New Haven, CT; Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City, UT; Seattle-Tacoma, WA;  and Tampa-St. Petersburg (Sarasota), FL.

Los Angeles is Charter’s largest market and a T-Mobile FWA stronghold. Philadelphia is Comcast’s home market, and Seattle is T-Mobile’s FWA home market.

Gigapower, a joint venture of AT&T and BlackRock, is building out fiber in Mesa, AZ. While the two are about 100 miles apart, it will be interesting to see how fiber and FWA technologies will be adopted in the same market.

AT&T Internet Air costs $55 a month plus taxes.  AT&T Internet Air has no overage fees, no price increase at 12 months, no equipment fees and no annual contract. Coupled with AT&T ActiveArmor^SM internet security included, customers can stream and surf the web with peace of mind.  New and existing AT&T cellular customers with an eligible wireless plan can get Internet Air at $35/month.

AT&T Internet Air is also eligible for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) providing eligible households with a benefit of up to $30 a month (up to $75 a month on qualifying Tribal lands) to reduce the cost of broadband service.

References:

https://about.att.com/blogs/2023/internet-air.html

https://www.att.com/internet/internet-air/

https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/fwa-and-then-there-were-three-entner

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