Illustration: The Verge
AT&T has announced a new feature called Internet Backup that will automatically switch from a home’s wired internet to a cellular connection through a nearby smartphone should its fiber service experience a disruption. The feature is offered at no additional charge to customers with AT&T Fiber service and an “eligible AT&T unlimited postpaid wireless plan” with unlimited data.
Internet Backup is being rolled out to customers starting next week through a software update to AT&T’s BGW320 Wi-Fi gateways. The company says that fiber customers using different hardware “may need to upgrade to access this feature.”
To activate it, eligible customers must wait for a notification through AT&T’s Smart Home Manager app, letting them know their…