Introducing the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender

AT&T is unveiling a new offering that subscribers might want to get if they want to improve their overall Wi-Fi experience at home. Meet the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender, which can make Wi-Fi signals more reliable and more steady through the use of mesh technology. The product is made available only online, and is priced at $35.

As explained by Stephen Vincent, the assistant vice president of in-home broadband, wired voice and broadband products at AT&T, via a blog post, the presence of the AT&T Smart Wi-Fi Extender in any home allows users to enjoy smoother and better Internet connectivity, whether they are downloading files, streaming media, browsing the information superhighway, or updating their social media accounts, without ever having to worry about any dropped connection. The device is capable of providing Wi-Fi coverage as far as a thousand square feet. Moreover, it comes with the ability to automatically detect and connect to the fastest and most consistent Wi-Fi network available for each in-home connected gadget.

AT&T’s Smart Wi-Fi Extender was developed in collaboration with AirTies, a company that specializes in creating connectivity solutions. What makes AirTies unique is that unlike other similar firms that market their products directly to end users (such as Eero or Plume), it pushes its products to mobile operators, who in turn sells the devices to their respective subscriber base. Aside from AT&T, other wireless service providers across the globe that have joined forces with AirTies include Vodafone, Singtel, Frontier, Swisscom, Midco, Atlantic Broadband, and Orange.

Interestingly, AirTies also commissioned a study last year, and the results of its survey showed that more than three fourths of American and United Kingdom customers prefer to have their web service providers supply them with their in-home Wi-Fi networking equipment, as opposed to having the customers buy the gear on their own. The same study also showed that 43 percent of customers have claimed that they have areas in their residence that does not have Internet connectivity. Furthermore, 54 percent of them have complained to their web service providers about this lack of full Wi-Fi coverage.

Apart from unveiling its Smart Wi-Fi Extender, the number two largest wireless service provider in the United States has also taken the opportunity to position its AT&T Smart Home Manager mobile app (available from Google Play or from Apple’s App Store) as a sort of Wi-Fi butler. Users can utilize the service to customize their Wi-Fi connection, that is on top of allowing people to check who else are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, as well as initiate a chat conversation with customer service without making a phone call.