Whether it’s for business or personal use, wireless internet is a necessity. Read our AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 review if you’re looking for a router.
More than ever, people rely on a high-speed Internet connection to get things done in their homes or offices. One solution would be installing fiber optics internet. But for anyone who doesn’t like the hassle of installation, a wireless internet router like AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 can be your choice.
This device attempts to cater to your internet needs in your building without much hassle. Plug it and you would get a 4G speed to use almost instantly. It also comes with external ports that allow room for a stronger connection. You can plug your landline phone into it too.
Another helpful feature is the modem’s 3,000mAh backup battery that works during sudden power outages. The battery comes in handy when users urgently require a connection in unwanted situations.
Before rushing to your nearest electronics store, Check out our AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 review. Be aware of the pros and cons before buying.
Page Contents:
Key Specs
AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 specifications:
- Weight: 464.9g
- Dimensions: 183.1 x 171.1 x 43.4mm
- CPU: 1.2GHz Quad-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon X16
- RAM: 512MB
- Battery: 3,000mAh, Removable
Design
The AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 is designed like most conventional modems. It has a bulky appearance that resembles most traditional looking modem designs. Only available in black, there’s not much choice with colors. It’s also quite heavy in size, which is understandable since it’s not meant to be highly portable.
On the top, we have a few LED lights that represent a certain function. These lights indicate Power, Voicemail, Wi-Fi, Information, Battery, and Signal Bars. The back of the modem is where all of the ports for external cables are installed. On the bottom of the modem, there is a removable tray for the battery.
Read also: AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 User Manual
Performance
The AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 operates on a Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 processor. This Quad-core chipset has a CPU running speed that reaches up to 1.2GHz. Whether you’re connecting the mobile router with wires or not, you can expect super quick speeds.
The processor is often used for modems. It guarantees a fast 4G connection. At its peak, the modem offers 10x their usual download speed. At the usual rate, you can get a download speed reaching up to 1Gbps. That’s very fast and provides no delay for download, streaming, and gaming.
The AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 uses Linux 3.18.31 for its operating system. As a medium between a device’s hardware and software, a modem cannot function without it properly. In this case, Linux 3.18.31 proves to be sufficient enough for the device to do its job.
Users will not have a hard time using the modem. There’s no software you need to download beforehand. After installation and plugging in the necessary cables, you can immediately use it. What we needed to do was open the Wi-Fi manager on our Windows desktop. The modem will ask for a password, which can be found on the label located at bottom of the device.
Later, you can change its default password and other personal configurations. Users will need to access the AT&T Wireless Internet Manager site from a browser. There are plenty of settings you can do through this internet manager. Once everything is set, you can use the connection freely.
Connectivity
The AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 can only be activated by using a cellular network provided by AT&T themselves. The modem takes the cellular network provided by the carrier and broadcasts it throughout your house wirelessly.
The modem provides all sorts of connections from different networks. Users have the option to optimize either 4G LTE or 3G UMTS. Each network has its own range of network bands that you can set manually for optimal usage. Unfortunately, the modem does not have access to 5G networks yet.
The modem offers a dual-band Wi-Fi network which can reach up to 2.4 and 5.0 GHz. As a result, the Wi-Fi supports mobile hotspot usage at impressively high speeds. Wireless Internet IFWA-40 can be used by 40 devices at the same time. However, the speed might change depending on the Internet usage of each device.
This modem can also act as a phone jack. If you have a traditional dial phone, you can plug it into the device. The phone will function like when it’s connected to a wall phone jack. You can make and receive calls, allow voicemail, and use call forwarding. This device also allows conference calls using the three-way calling feature.
The Wi-Fi technology used makes this modem a suitable choice for businesses aside from home use. Changing Internet networks can be a hassle when we’re jumping from one place to another. The modem supports domestic roaming up to 400MB each month. Unfortunately, the modem has yet to accommodate international roaming.
The AT&T Wireless Internal IFWA-40 has several ports. The modem has two cellular antenna ports, one Gigabit Ethernet port, and one analog phone jack. The Ethernet port can reach up to 1000 Mbps on any other day. These ports are perfect if we have cables lying around our home or office. Meanwhile, you can plug in antennas to widen the device’s internet coverage.
Read also:
- Netgear Nighthawk LTE Mobile Hotspot Router (MR1100) Review
- Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot Pro (MR5100) Review
Battery
The AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 includes a 3,000mAh removable backup battery. The battery isn’t entirely necessary as the modem runs on a power outlet. However, the battery will provide emergency power during a power outage. Otherwise, we can simply plug the modem’s power cord into an electrical outlet on the wall. In this AT&T Wireless Internal IFWA-40 review, the hybrid between a battery and a traditional power outlet is one of our favorites.
The backup battery requires up to 4 hours for a decent, full charge. It runs for at least 180 minutes of talk time. When left on standby, it can last for 29 hours. In order for the backup battery to work during a power outage, you need to be sure it’s fully-charged before an outage happens.
Is the AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 a good device?
To conclude our AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 review, we have a few remarks about this device. We weren’t disappointed by the speed. It’s a device you can rely on for fast internet. It also offers phone capabilities. Our other favorite thing is the battery and the power outlet combo. Whether you’re going to use the phone on-the-go or just staying in one place, you have the option to use the device according to your situation.
Marketed at $199.99, we think it’s a fair price for a modem. You can provide the internet for the whole household or an entire small office. Not to mention that you’ll also get landline-style phone service. This modem can be a good long-term investment.
AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 Pros
- Supports 4G LTE and 3G UMTS networks
- Speedy Wi-Fi
- Support calling features
- Easy setup
- Connects 40 devices
AT&T Wireless Internet IFWA-40 Cons
- No access to 5G yet
- Can only be used with the AT&T network
- Doesn’t support international roaming