Is this normal with 2 Gbps and 5 Gbps fiber?

How big is the neighborhood?

The maximum number of fiber connections from a double door PFP is 864…

If have a single door cabinet would be maximum of 432 and smaller cabinets could support even less, the smallest I have seen is 144 connections of 12 rows of 12 connections per row.

If the deployment was in stages, there could be 2 or more PFPs, one area, likely first to have fiber service would have GPON splitters which is max 32 connections per splitter, with internet 1000 being best offered. From ATT fiber builds 2016 to 2021 would have GPON.

Internet 2000 / 5000 as best speed offered would be XGSPON, first offered was 2022, thus new fiber deployments last two years would offer the faster speeds. Note older GPON PFPs could receive updates by installing newer splitters but customers would then need to order the newer service with a new installation to replace the ONTs and possible the gateway.

250 something homes.

Which AT&T gateway/modem is better in your opinion or does it depend?

BGW 210 or BGW 320 ?

I know the BGW 320 is required for higher tiers.

I personally prefer the BGW-210, not for the gateway but for the separation of the ONT from the gateway.

The white 010 GPON ONT or black 020 XGSON ONT (Nokias) provide more information quick visual information about status of fiber than the one LED of the BGW-320.

However the company preference  trend over past 18 to 24 months is for the BGW-320, which makes sense as the BGW-210 release date was 4th quarter 2017 and I would expect to be a discontinued model by start 2026 or less than 18 months.

Which AT&T gateway/modem is better in your opinion or does it depend?

BGW 210 or BGW 320 ?

@ng4ever 

If you are in an area that already has Fiber 2000 / 5000 available at your address you should get the BGW320 by default even if you chose a lower speed.

The BGW320s support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) while the BGW210-700s are limited to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).

In your case if you are in the part of your neighborhood that only has a max of Fiber 1000 you might get either. If you get a BGW210-700 and a separate 010 ONT installed. To upgrade you will need a tech visit to upgrade you to a BGW320 with the integrated ONT.

The shortest answer is you are limited to what the installer has available on the truck. Whenever possible schedule an install in the morning to increase your chances the installer will have a BGW320-50x on the truck.

Dave

In practice neither is better, so use whatever you already have because a gateway is mandatory.  If the concern is about WiFi, buy the best system you can.  Stick with a trusted name brand.