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AT&T joins the herd, looks to trial bandwidth capping in Reno, NV
During an age where unlimited bandwidth has never been more useful for perfectly legal and entertaining reasons, carriers everywhere are looking to harsh our collective mellow. Following in the frowned-upon footsteps of Comcast, AT&T is gearing up to trial monthly bandwidth caps in Nevada. Starting this month, Reno-area subscribers using the carrier's least expensive DSL service (768k) will be forced to download less than 20GB in a month; the cap amount increases with the speed of the service, topping out at 150GB for the 10Mbps level of service. A USA Today report on the matter even admits that "streaming video services like the one Netflix offers" could indeed push users over the limit without any illegal transfers to speak of. Of note, customers involved in the trial will be able to track their usage via the web, and AT&T will contact them if they surpass 80% of their limit. Should they exceed the threshold even after a grace period, they'll be dinged $1 per gigabyte in overage charges. Awesome.
AT&T well on its way to offering U-verse TV in Springfield, IL
It should come as no surprise that AT&T is hard at work expanding its U-verse network in the state of Illinois. After all, the carrier agreed to provide U-verse to "all areas of the state" in exchange for a license that covered Chicago. At any rate, a new report in The State Journal-Register asserts that AT&T is "well along with construction of a fiber-optic network on the north side of Springfield," and construction was affirmed to be in progress by an unnamed company spokeswoman. Sadly, no estimated launch date was talked about, but we suppose it's hard to grumble about progress.
AT&T's 30 new HD channels are live on U-verse TV
If you're a U-verse TV subscriber with even a smidgen of fanaticism when it comes to HD, chances are you didn't miss the announcement about 30 new high-def stations last week. In any case, AT&T has activated all 30 today just as promised, with subscribers from sea to shining sea proclaiming that they can now enjoy oodles more high-def than they could just yesterday. Huzzah![Thanks, Anthony]
AT&T celebrates a year of U-verse in Connecticut
Huzzah! AT&T has made it a full twelve months in the great state of Connecticut, and it's out to make sure you recognize that fact. Since being granted a certificate of video franchise authority around this time last year, the provider has strung its U-verse services to "approximately half of the municipalities" in the Constitution State. Just recently, it also brought along Total Home DVR to the customers here, and while it vows to continually expand its services in due time, there's no birthday mention of new communities getting any fiber-based presents. Talk about a lame party.
AT&T brings U-verse Weather On Demand to Los Angeles and Columbus
Hey, remember that AccuWeather portal that launched earlier this month on AT&T's U-verse? Looks like the outfit is on the rollout train, as it's bringing the service to U-verse TV subscribers in both Columbus, Ohio and Los Angeles, California. For those unaware, the free Weather On Demand service is an "interactive feature that allows U-verse TV customers to find the weather information they want, in the city they want, at the time they want -- all at the touch of a button." 'Course, you could just look outside and / or trust the weatherman, but where's the fun in that?Read - Columbus rolloutRead - Los Angeles rollout
AT&T U-Verse shows up in Madison, Wisconsin, badgers get celebratory
Man, talk about being loved. The citizens of Madison, Wisconsin are indeed loved... at least by programming providers. Not too terribly long after Charter added in a half dozen HD channels to its lineup in the area -- and just weeks after DISH Network finally delivered HD locals to Badgerville -- along comes official word from AT&T that U-verse is also ready for consumption. Select Madison-area residents can now opt for AT&T's fiber-based TV, high-speed internet and digital phone services, and given that the provider just boosted its HD count by 30 (for free), today seems like an excellent day to mull a switch. If you're parked in Beloit, Fitchburg, Janesville, Madison, Maple Bluff, Middleton, Monona or Shorewood Hills (among other South Central Wisconsin communities), feel free to give AT&T a call and see if it's available at your domicile.[Thanks, Nik]
AT&T adds 30 new HD channels to U-verse TV at no charge
So much for kvetching over that $5 fee for three extra channels, huh? AT&T has come out of absolutely nowhere today to announce that some 30 new high-def channels will be offered gratis to U-verse TV customers beginning on November 3rd. Granted, what you see will depend on your programming package, but still, access to over 75 HD channels for $10 extra per month ain't too shabby. If that wasn't enough to get your juices flowin', the provider also announced that international programming packages for Chinese, Polish, Russian, French and European-sports audiences would be available for those that care to indulge at varying price points. Eager to see what newcomers are on deck? Hit the read link and scroll down.
Poll: Have you switched carriers due to lack of HD?
We've asked you before whether it was "worth it" to switch from cable to satellite in search of a wider selection of high-def material, but now we're looking to see if any of you walked the talk. Have any of you readers actually ditched your programming provider in order to find another with more HD content? And if so, where did you leave and where did you go? Any regrets? Is life really that much better with more HD than one could ever watch in a single day? Brag / sulk away in comments below. %Poll-21447%
AT&T's U-verse HD Premium Tier explained: $5 for three channels
Ugh. This is just downright ugly. For the longest while, AT&T had quite the edge in the pricing department compared to most other HD programming competitors. For just $10 per month, users had access to over 40 high-def channels, but apparently, all that is about to change. Following a ominous postcard sent out to select California-area U-verse users, AT&T has confirmed on its website that the newfangled HD Premium Tier is real. And it's a ripoff. Beginning "soon," subscribers who wish to see Universal HD, MGM HD and / or Smithsonian HD will be forced to pay an additional $5 on top of the $10 HD access fee. We're not sure if this so-called Premium Tier will eventually host even more HD channels for the same low, low price of $5 per month, but until we find that it does, we'd recommend holding off. Seriously, AT&T? $5 per month for three channels?[Via U-talk forums, thanks Anthony]
AT&T sees 232,000 net U-verse additions in Q3
In Q2 of this year, AT&T finally surpassed the half million subscriber mark with its fiber-based U-verse TV service. Now that Q3 has come and gone, it's proudly announcing that it saw a net gain of 232,000 customers over the past three months. As it stands, the provider has 781,000 paying U-verse TV users, and AT&T has personally confirmed to us that it intends on meeting or exceeding the goal of one million by the year's end. In other words, expect some serious sales pitches if you're residing in a U-verse TV area (and aren't already a sub).
AT&T takes Total Home DVR to five more U-verse locales
Another day, another round of U-verse Total Home DVR rollouts. This time, the good news is being bestowed upon residents of Columbus, Flint, Kansas City, Lubbock and Oklahoma City, giving each of the areas the ability to watch HD / SD DVR recordings on other connected TVs in the home. Here's hoping AT&T takes care of the rest of y'all in short order -- we're eager for some more U-verse TV expansion, as nice as this update is and all.[Thanks, Anthony]
Houston subscribers make up nearly 20% of AT&T's U-verse base
The numbers are in, and it's clear Houston adores U-verse. Since launching the service in the Texas city some 23 months ago, a whopping 100,000 residents have made the switch to AT&T's fiber-based programming service. In and of itself, that number isn't too significant, but when you consider that the carrier only has 549,000 U-verse TV customers (as of Q2 2008), you'll quickly realize how important the Houston market is to the company. Nearly 1 in 5 (18.2%) U-verse TV customers reside in or around Houston, and not surprisingly, the provider is continuing to expand its service in the region. Just remember Houston, AT&T owes you one if it hits that magical one million mark before 2009.
Columbus, Ohio becomes Total Home DVR's next victim
What's with all the silence, AT&T? Every other day now it seems that you're blessing another region of your slowly expanding U-verse footprint with Total Home DVR, yet users are left to discover the upgrade on their own. But yeah, there's nothing wrong with a good surprise every now and then, and that's exactly what U-verse subscribers in Columbus, Ohio received late last week. Who's got next? Or, should we say, who wants it bad enough?[Thanks, Matthew]
AT&T postcard hints at HD Premium Tier... for a cost
More HD is always good, but it's not always free. AT&T just gifted many of its markets with eight high-def newcomers, but it seems that some future HD additions may fall into a newfangled "HD Premium Tier." A number of California-based U-verse subscribers have received a postcard notifying them that beginning on November 10th, Universal HD (1104) will be moving to the aforesaid tier. It also informs users that if they wish to continue receiving the channel, they'll need to "upgrade their current package." The plan is so new that some CSRs weren't even aware of what subscribers were referring to when they called to investigate, but suffice it to say, it looks like you'll soon be paying more to keep all of those HD channels around on U-verse.[Thanks, Anthony]
8 new HD channels added to AT&T's U-verse lineup
We're sure most every HD-lovin' U-verse customer out there would agree that it's been far too long since AT&T laid out some new content, so we're equally certain that those very users will be absolutely elated to hear this. Apparently without any official word, the provider has dished out (or will soon dish out, in some regions) eight new high-def stations, with "loads more" on the way. As of now, some subscribers are already seeing MGM HD (1116), Smithsonian HD (1118), FX HD (1128), ABC Family HD (1178), FOX News HD (1210), FOX Business HD (1211), The Weather Channel HD (1225) and MOJO HD (1114) on the EPG. We really have to question that last add, however, particularly since it's being done away with in December. At any rate, we'd encourage any avid U-verse user to hit the read link for the supposed master list of channels to launch on November 3rd. It's pretty massive.[Thanks, Anthony]
AT&T's U-verse Total Home DVR snakes into Kansas City unannounced
It isn't the first, and it probably won't be the last market we see AT&T gift with U-verse without a formal announcement -- though if we were betting men, we'd say that proclamation is coming soon. Total Home DVR, which has been sweeping across the carrier's footprints in order to give networked TVs the ability to watch recorded SD / HD programs, has finally hit Kansas City, Missouri, and we get the sense that locals couldn't be happier. So yeah, pop the cork and enjoy the new features.[Thanks, Paul]
AT&T talks Total Home DVR rollouts in seven new, not so new areas
We already know you love AT&T's Total Home DVR service, but for whatever reason the company's been less than forthcoming about where and when its hitting across the country. Likely spurred on by our coverage (or maybe not) the latest press release breaks down the seven markets currently feeling the joy of multiple HD stream recording and sharing wash over them like rain, or a particularly refreshing soda. U-verse users in Atlanta, Cleveland, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Reno and Sacramento should all have access to the free software upgrade as of today. Press release is after the break, any areas still missing from the official count?
AT&T to push U-verse services at Circuit City and Walmart
AT&T's not messing around with spreading the good word on its U-verse services, as it has just nailed down an agreement to sell the aforementioned products in two of America's largest retail outlets. Beginning this month, U-verse kiosks will emerge in over 600 Circuit City and Walmart locations, which will give unsuspecting consumers the chance to ditch their current cable / satellite / fiber provider and sign up for AT&T's own programming / high-speed internet / digital phone suite. The move comes in the midst of its nationwide Total Home DVR rollout, which enables any connected TV in the crib to watch a recorded SD or HD show. Of course, U-verse still serves a comparatively small amount of the country at present time, but with an initiative like this, we feel pretty good about future expansion.
AT&T's U-verse Total Home DVR shows up unannounced in Milwaukee, WI
AT&T hasn't made it official or anything, but one particular U-verse user in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is already enjoying the spoils of Total Home DVR. That's right -- Milwaukee residents subscribed to the provider's fiber-based TV service can now check out recorded programs on any connected TV, not just the main set in the den. Let us know if AT&T drops the new software in your locale, it's been pretty busy of late rolling it out.[Thanks, Ryan]
AT&T launches Total Home DVR in Cleveland, doesn't bother to tell anyone
AT&T's continuing to roll its Total Home DVR software out at a fairly regular pace, and the latest region to get gifted is Cleveland, Ohio. 'Course, the provider has yet to officially spill the beans or anything, but it's not totally unheard of for areas to get the updated functionality without any indication that it was coming. And hey, we can't imagine U-verse TV customers being upset that rollouts are happening faster than the outfit's PR team can pump out releases, right?[Thanks, Sean]
