2.4G and 5G AT&T extender

We're here to answer your inquiry about Wi-Fi networks, @Stanley6011!

For the answer to your question, when connecting the extender using Wi-Fi, it will broadcast the network it is currently connected to. I.E. If the extender is connected to the 2.4 GHz network, it will broadcast the 2.4 GHz network.

Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns. Thank you for visiting the AT&T Community Forums!

CalebP, AT&T Community Specialist 

how can I make sure my router stays on 2.4 gig? otherwise my smart devices will not work. This seems like it should be simple but it doesn't let me restart the 2.4 gigahertz in the configuration.

If you have assigned different SSID's to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (ideally with different pw's as well), and then point your

2.4GHz IoT devices to that, they should always connect. You might want to use the Guest Network, which is always 2.4GHz, assign a different SSID and pw to it, and then point your IoT devices to that. 

That makes perfect sense. I will try it. The thing I did not realize was that guest is always 2.4 GB. Excellent thank you so much

Well, it sounded like the right answer. I did enable and set a password for the guest Wi-Fi, but I'm still unable to reconnect my smart plugs from bestek. My Amazon microwave won't connect either. It's very frustrating. I guess I'm going to have to Google everything and see what I can come up with. Thanks for letting me know about the guest speed.

Did you assign a different name (SSID) to the Guest Network as well? If you did, then it sounds like you may need a better router like possibly a mesh WiFi router. Band steering on the AT&T gateways appears to be problematic for a lot of folks.

The guest Network is just the name of my network - guest so it should be separate. However my devices are not accepting it. We have a Verizon cell booster which doesn't work great nor does the Wi-Fi calling but right now I just need to get these smart devices working. We still have DSL out here and I don't know of a mesh router that will work with that. I am unfamiliar with mesh routers. Thanks for your help

The Verizon cell booster, if it is a cellular booster and not a femtocell, is mostly intended for the Verizon network so it may use different bands and frequencies than the AT&T network uses. See my Cellular Booster Guide, the link is in my sig line for a primer on cellular boosters and what they can and can not do. The do require at least one one preferably two bars of reliable signal strength to work well.

What are you DSL speeds? A mesh router should work ok with DSL depending on what type of AT&T equipment you have. Is it a gateway (router and modem combination ) or a single modem and router. 

This morning. Everything is working. It must have just taken over night or guest to kick in. Makes no sense to me but everything is connecting now through the guest sign in. It is a Verizon Booster so I will have to take a look at that to see if we can get better Wi-fi calling using ATT. We do have a combination router modem. tired of dealing with all this but appreciate the help and will get back to the Wi-fi calling eventually.

If it is a Verizon femtocell (similar to the old AT&T MicroCell or the current Cell Booster), they are intended to be used on their respective networks only. If it is an actual cellular booster, you need to find out which bands/frequencies it uses because they may be different, not cover the AT&T cellular bands/frequencies in your area, or use an AT&T band/frequency that has poor propagation or signal strength. 

A femtocell will broadcast a cellular signal (usually LTE) inside your home that your phone will connect to and then use your internet connection to reach the AT&T Mobility Servers. A cellular booster will have an antenna on your roof (the better ones do) to intercept the outside cellular signal and then use a cable to transfer that cellular signal to a unit inside of your which then "boosts" the signal and, using another antenna inside your home, broadcasts that signal for your phones to connect to.

WiFi-C (WiFi Calling) is totally dependent upon the strength and reliability of your WiFi connection. It has nothing to do with the cellular signal. It uses your WiFi connection to connect to the internet and then connect to AT&T's Mobility Servers. Similar to a femtocell as they both use your internet connection to reach AT&T. If you have a weak WiFi signal, then you will probably have issues with WiFi-C. And, you need to have a decent download speed via your internet which, in your case, is DSL.

In some instances, WiFi-C works better if you don't have a femtocell or cellular booster enabled because your phone is then not competing for a signal. Your phone will typically connect to the strongest of the two, WiFi Calling or cellular. Those signals can fluctuate as you move around so call quality and or connectivity will suffer. Most phones don't allow for you to pick your preference for connectivity and if they do, it may not be reliable.

I don't know what AT&T DSL equipment you have but my guess is that the WiFi part is not very good. You should be able to replace the DSL gateway with just a modem and then purchase your own router (a better router or a mesh WiFi router) and improve your WiFi. You never did say what your DSL speeds are.