Two AT&T Wi-Fi extender models will stop working with April gateway update

AT&T recently emailed its customers about an upcoming software update to one of its gateway models that will disable certain Wi-Fi extenders operating in customer networks.

Starting on April 20, 2025, AT&T BGW320 Wi-Fi gateways will no longer support AirTies Wi-Fi extenders, models 4920 and 4921.

AT&T customers with these Wi-Fi extender models who wish to maintain their current coverage must opt in to AT&T’s Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service, which provides a tri-band smart Wi-Fi extender for an extra $10.00/mo. If you choose to take no action, your AirTies 4920 or 4921 Wi-Fi extender will stop working on April 20.

If you have the older BGW210 gateway model and an AirTies 4920 or 4921, your extenders will continue to operate as normal. This update will also not affect any third-party extenders in your network.

Customer’s reaction to the update

We talked to Lisa Iscrupe, an AT&T Fiber customer who received the software update notification, to get insight into her experience.

She received a free Wi-Fi extender from AT&T when she signed up for her service in 2020 as part of a new customer promotion, and the expanded coverage has become invaluable to her daily internet activities.

She works from home in her bedroom, which received a weaker signal before adding AT&T’s extender to her network. Since adding the extender, she has experienced much better coverage and has been able to fully reap the benefits of her AT&T Fiber connection.

Since the upcoming software update will disable Lisa’s current AT&T extender, she’s faced with the choice of either going without the expanded coverage or adding an extra $10.00/mo. charge to her AT&T internet bill for AT&T’s Extended Wi-Fi Coverage Service.

“… not having it would be detrimental to our coverage, but I’m reluctant to pay an additional $10 a month,” she said.

Other AT&T customers will likely face this same predicament but, like Lisa, may be unwilling to sacrifice coverage. There are other options, like buying your own equipment or upgrading to a mesh network, which Lisa is considering.

“We’ve been planning to research getting our own equipment for a while, including a gateway and a compatible extender or possibly a mesh Wi-Fi system — and this might be the extra push we need to get serious about that,” she said.

Even so, the extra $10.00/mo. will be worth it for many customers who enjoy the full benefits of their fiber connection, and would still be cheaper than upgrading to an entirely new home networking system. Opting in to AT&T’s extender service also ensures full tech support and customer service, which won’t be a benefit if you buy your own equipment.

“If we end up paying the extra $10 a month, it would still be less than most other options for us. Of course, it’s still frustrating as a customer whenever there is a price change,” Lisa said. 

Regardless of the upcoming update, Lisa is still happy with her AT&T connection and sees this charge as a necessary change to maintain her current internet service’s reliability. 

“Overall, our rates with AT&T have remained steady, and the service has been reliable. Plus, customer service has also been helpful and polite whenever we’ve had to call.”

AT&T is one of the top fiber providers around, with plans starting at $55.00/mo. and speeds ranging from 300 to 4,700 Mbps.

Thinking of switching providers? Explore the best internet service providers (ISPs) in your area and the best monthly deals from top ISPs to capitalize on new customer promotions, like Lisa did.

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