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Tennessee governor signs cable franchising bill into law
Remember that legislation we mentioned early last month which, if passed, could pave the way for AT&T's U-verse to infiltrate The Volunteer State? Governor Phil Bredesen just signed said bill into law, creating statewide TV cable franchising in Tennessee. Beyond that, details are few and far between, but don't be shocked to see yet another programming provider pop up in the not-too-distant future.[Thanks, roflercopterer]
AT&T quietly enables 2HD / 2SD U-verse service in more cities
Since activating dual HD streams in St. Louis earlier this month, AT&T has seemingly enabled the functionality in a handful of other cities without even an official peep. According to user reports stemming from Atlanta / Alpharetta, Georgia and certain sections of Michigan, they too are enjoying the luxury of recording one high-def program while viewing another live. We fully expect the carrier to spread the 2HD / 2SD service to more of the country here soon, but until it decides to open its own mouth, we'd highly recommend keeping an eye on your box for a certain surprise.
AT&T's U-verse could head to Glen Ellyn, IL
Go on AT&T, dance like nobody's watchin'. Just days after hearing that U-verse would likely find a home in Baton Rouge, LA and certain parts of Alabama, along comes a tidbit suggesting that West Chicago could be next. According to an article within the latest Glen Ellyn Newsletter, AT&T will be "performing an infrastructure upgrade" to its system in Glen Ellyn over the next six to nine months "in order to provide better phone service, enhance and expand its DSL offerings and introduce a new video service to residents." Project Lightspeed, as it's dubbed, will reportedly begin to roll out as early as this month, but there's no telling how long it'll take to be totally installed. For more details, hit up the PDF in the read link below and scroll to the bottom of page 4.[Thanks, Matt]
Baton Rouge, LA could see U-verse in under two years
Looks like Alabama isn't the only southeastern US state AT&T's aiming its U-verse arrow at -- The Bayou State could be following suit in short order. According to William Oliver, president of AT&T's Louisiana operations, the carrier could begin servicing Baton Rouge with U-verse "within the next 18 to 24 months." Citing "competitive reasons" as the motive behind failing to elaborate, we are told that the Metro Council has already "unanimously approved an agreement with AT&T, patterned after one with Cox Communications." Not surprisingly, U-verse would aim to compete with Cox and Eatel (not to mention the two major satcasters), and while other cities in the state weren't mentioned by name, Oliver did proclaim that AT&T "had its crosshairs on a couple of locations." Call us crazy, but we think we've spotted a rollout race.[Thanks, David]
AT&T making moves to bring U-verse to Alabama
Don't think for a second that AT&T is snoozing on Verizon's rapid expansion of FiOS services around the nation. Within the last month, AT&T has announced plans to upgrade and spread its fiber-optic network in Illinois and Wisconsin, and if it has its way again, Alabama could be next. According to a new report in the Decatur Daily, AT&T has "submitted a proposed public-benefit agreement with the city" of Decatur, and if approved, it could be the inroad needed to bring U-verse to portions of the entire state. Of course, no launch time frame is being discussed just yet, but it's noted that over 18 other cities and counties have already signed similar agreements. Competition -- it's a beautiful thing. [Warning: subscription required for read link][Thanks, Jamie]
AT&T activates 2HD / 2SD U-verse service in St. Louis, more cities to come?
Stop the presses: AT&T has just yanked a huge hurdle out of U-verse's way, and if St. Louis' luck is passed on throughout the country, its fiber-based HD service just got a whole lot more attractive. To be honest, many have scoffed at AT&T's U-verse service due to the inability to watch one high-def channel while recording another (even though you could record an SD channel while watching an HD telecast), but now a swarm of St. Louis, Missouri based customers are joining in celebration as 2HD / 2SD service has been activated. In short, this enables four total streams to be accessed at once, but unlike the previous 1HD / 3SD setup, users can now get their fingers on dual high-definition broadcasts. Unfortunately, we've heard nothing official about this rolling out elsewhere, but we can't imagine AT&T only letting STL have all the fun here.[Thanks, Andrew]
AT&T has secured 379,000 U-verse TV subscribers
While Verizon was busy acquiring over a quarter-million new FiOS TV customers during Q1 2008, AT&T wasn't resting on its laurels. The company managed to pick up 148,000 new U-verse TV customers in the same period, pushing the 231,000 it ended 2007 with up to a new total of 379,000. Potentially more interesting is the firm's intentions to still hit the long-standing goal of netting a million subscribers before 2009 dawns, and as if that wasn't bold enough, it's looking to pass approximately 30 million living units by the end of 2010 (it's at 9 million now). Of course, we aren't discounting the company's ability to do so -- after all, it is rolling out service to a plethora of new locales at a pretty brisk rate -- but with the inability to record two HD channels at once, we can't see it really catching on until a few more limitations are lifted.
AT&T upgrading network, spreading U-verse in Illinois
Looks like Wisconsin isn't the only state getting gifted with more U-verse, as AT&T is expected to dump some $1.3 billion over the next several years to "upgrade its network in Illinois." Furthermore, it'll be bringing U-verse to even more Illinois suburbs, bringing the total communities served in the state to 230. Unfortunately, that's about it for details -- no word on which suburbs will be on the receiving end of new U-verse access, but we're sure the plans will get fleshed out before too long.
AT&T expands U-verse to more of Wisconsin, adds 200 jobs in the state
For folks camped out in Southeastern Wisconsin, chances are you've got yet another choice for pay-TV coming to you. AT&T is trumpeting the fact that over 200,000 living units in the region now have access to U-verse, which isn't half bad for just being around 14 months. More specifically, viewers in and around Milwaukee, Racine and Sheboygan are likely to now have access, and the growth has apparently been substantial enough to warrant the need for 200 new jobs in the state. As of now, the carrier is seeking to employ 200 U-verse service technicians in the Badger State, with spots to open in Northeast / South Central Wisconsin.
U-verse subscriber answers: Is it worth it?
It was around 2.5 years ago that we saw one of the first FiOS users in Texas give his review of the fiber-based service. Now, we're seeing a U-verse subscriber from Ann Arbor give his take on whether or not it's living up to expectations. Essentially, the service was praised for delivering HD material for a low (relatively speaking) cost, and at least for this fellow, his experience with customer service has been satisfactory thus far. As for picture quality, he notes that SD is superior to that of DISH Network, though the HD signals could stand to lose some minor artifacting. Interestingly, the subscriber states that actually getting U-verse installed was "a major undertaking," and although he didn't urge consumers to steer clear of AT&T, he couldn't wholeheartedly recommend the service in its current state either. Check the read link for the full interview.
West Michigan becomes latest region to get AT&T's U-verse
Not quite three months after AT&T took U-verse to the Motor City comes word that more of Michigan can now tap the aforementioned company for phone, internet and fiber-based TV service. As of now, 40 local communities in West Michigan -- including Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Holland and Kalamazoo -- can call up the carrier in order to get U-verse in their home. The provider also notes that those who are just out of reach right now should keep checking in, as it plans to make the service available "to more homes throughout the area on an ongoing basis."
AT&T's U-verse spreads to more of Indiana
Although Smithville is aiming to offer fiber-based services to much of the Hoosier State within the next couple of years, AT&T isn't waiting around to boost its market share in Indiana. As of this week, legions of residents can now get connected to U-verse -- over 300,000 living units in total. Folks residing in parts of Anderson, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Muncie, Gary, Griffith, Merrillville, Highland, Crown Point, Hammond, Schererville and Dyer now have one more option for fetching content (Big Ten Network and all), and AT&T has already made known its intentions to reach out to more Indiana communities in the future. Ah, the sweet smell of competition.
New legislation could pave the way for U-verse in Tennessee
Although the matter has generally been swept under the rug nationally, folks in the great state of Tennessee yearning for more choices when it comes to receiving cable may be one step closer to getting just that. Just this week a compromise cable bill -- which would enable companies such as AT&T to "avoid having to seek hundreds of municipal permits to offer TV service" -- unanimously passed the House Commerce Committee. Still, select committee members questioned the aforementioned carrier's ability to deliver public, education and government (PEG) programming, and in order to avoid having firms roll out their networks to wealthy areas first, a provision was included that would force them to offer service to a certain amount of "low-income" neighborhoods or else face fines. Granted, there's no word on AT&T's immediate plans in The Volunteer State, but don't be shocked to see braids of orange fiber laid down in the future.[Thanks, Brent]
AT&T enables Flickr photo viewing on U-verse TV
As carriers (and STB manufacturers) continue to implement new and varied extras to make their service just different enough to reel you in, AT&T's making sure it doesn't get caught stale by enabling its users to view Flickr images from the comfort of their couch. AT&T Online Photos, as it's so eloquently dubbed, is an integrated photos channel that allows users to access their own account and watch slideshows by simply flipping to channel 91 or navigating through the U-verse TV menu. Hey, U-verse subscribers -- why not give this a go and see if it's more useful than gimmicky (or vice-versa)? One more look after the jump.
AT&T's U-verse swallows more of Hartford, Connecticut
AT&T already gifted current U-verse subscribers in the Nutmeg State with high-def versions of The CW and MyNetworkTV, but now even more folks in Connecticut will have the opportunity to tune in. Post-expansion, over 230,000 living units in parts of 80 communities in the state will have access to U-verse TV and internet, but an undisclosed amount of homes in the greater Hartford area are now in range. Unfortunately, no real details beyond that are dished out, so if you call Hartford home and have a hankering for fiber, we suppose your best bet is to just phone up AT&T and hope for the best.
AT&T picks DISH as new best friend
The sometimes funny relationship between AT&T, DISH and DirecTV reminds us of pesky fourth grade decisions of the "who's your one, bestest friend?" variety. The makeups and breakups even have the same air of fickleness, too. AT&T has officially phased out its reselling of DirecTV for 2008, but is keeping its relationship with DISH. Don't get comfy, though -- mum's the word on AT&T's plans for 2009. The move makes DISH the exclusive satellite provider for AT&T's primary markets. Like all biz relationships, this one's all about convenience (and prior commitments); it's safe to assume that if AT&T is able to execute its 2008 plans for U-verse it will scale back ties to competitor's products. But, the "triple play" package is an asset that we don't expect AT&T to jeopardize, even if it makes for uneasy friends.[Image courtesy GiftsByExpressions]
U-verse ups the HD ante, helps launch HBO2 HD
If you're an AT&T U-verse customer who's been longing for some more HD, your day is coming. Those among you who currently get HBO through U-verse will be treated to the premiere of HD flavors of HBO2, HBO Comedy and HBO Family. The HBO-less customers out there will see the HD offerings swell to 40 channels. Even though the IPTV platform has had its share of problems, even not-entirely-happy customers do admit that the pricing is pretty good, and AT&T's press release underscores the value proposition. Increasing the HD offerings certainly will go a long way toward the company meeting its goal of growing the subscriber list to one million by the end of the year, though.
AT&T's U-verse headed to San Antonio's Vidorra Condominiums
There's no denying that fiber providers (we're looking at you, AT&T and Verizon) are on the offensive in an attempt to get new condos, college dorms and other dwellings wired with service from day one. A fortnight after AT&T announced plans to install U-verse into a forthcoming residence hall at the University of Houston, the outfit has now made public its plans to give the same luxury to residents of Vidorra Condominiums. The 20-story high-rise development in downtown San Antonio is currently being constructed, and when it's complete, it'll offer U-verse TV / internet to every single resident. 'Course, guests to the facility may be more intrigued by the private outdoor swimming pool and the top floor "sky room," but we're sure they'll only be able to stand so much outdoor amusement before those high-def images have them running back in.
AT&T stringing U-verse to more of Austin, Texas
Just four months after AT&T ran its U-verse television service to Austin, Texas, the firm is now announcing that folks located in the outskirts can hop in, too. Right now, greater than 150,000 living units in and around Austin can access U-verse TV and internet; more specifically, we're talking about regions of Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Sunset Valley, and West Lake Hills. Better still, AT&T's looking to take the service even further from the city center, and given that the Lonestar State was U-verse's first (and remains its favorite, some would say), we don't doubt that one bit.
AT&T offers exclusive Olympic footage via U-verse VOD
Just over a month after we saw Verizon ink an exclusive deal to offer VOD viewing of a certain program, along comes its arch rival (one of the many, actually) pulling a similar stunt. Announced this week, AT&T will be the lone home for catching "exclusive episodes and behind-the-scenes footage of US Olympic Team hopefuls as they train for and compete in various sports." Rightfully dubbed AT&T Team USA On Demand, the new category of VOD content will "showcase episodes of USA Gymnastics Behind the Team," which will reportedly cover American athletes as they gear up for the summer games in Beijing. Unfortunately, we don't see this being available in high-definition, but it's surely a perk for U-verse subscribers who happen to be Olympic junkies on the side.
