u-verse
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AT&T announces U-verse for Miami Valley, Ohio
Nope, still no U-verse for Miami, Florida, but TV lovers in Miami Valley (Ohio) can start popping those corks. Folks in said area can start phoning up AT&T to see if U-verse TV, high-speed internet and digital phone is available for their place of residence, but here's a hint -- citizens living in Beavercreek, Butler Township, Centerville, Clayton, Dayton, Fairborn, Huber Heights, Kettering, Mad River Township, Miami Township, Miamisburg, Moraine, Northridge, Oakwood, Riverside, Springfield, Springfield Township, Vandalia, Washington Township, West Carrollton and Woodbourne-Hyde Park have the best shot at hearing "yes." Also of note, 2 HD / 2 SD is in full effect, which leads us to believe that said feature will be the norm from here on out.
AT&T goes live with 4 new U-verse HD channels
We had a hunch this rumor would prove true, and while the four new HD channels on U-verse did show up later than expected, they're there, regardless. AT&T has just flipped the switch on four newcomers: USA HD, Bravo HD, SciFi HD and CNBC HD. U-talk forum members from all across the country are chiming in with smiles all around, so be sure to let us know if (for whatever reason) your area has yet to see 'em.[Thanks, anonym ous]
AT&T to invest $400 million to bring U-verse to Tennessee
Welp, the fat lady has sung. After a long run-up to the inevitable, AT&T has finally admitted that it will be stringing its U-verse services into the Volunteer State. Reportedly, the provider will be coughing up $400 million over the next few years for "fiber network upgrades," which it will likely use to deliver high-speed internet, digital phone service and television programming to the fine citizens of Tennessee. Unfortunately, AT&T failed to reveal a timeline of events for us to focus on, but judging by how long we've been waiting with no results from that supposed investment in the Carolinas, we wouldn't call and cancel that Comcast service just yet.[Thanks, John]
AT&T adding four new U-verse HD channels?
We won't know for certain if this whisper is true until July 10th, but an administrator over at the AT&T U-talk forums has proclaimed that four new high-definition channels are headed to the carrier within the next 24 to 48 hours. U-verse users can reportedly look forward to seeing Bravo HD, CNBC HD, USA Network HD and SciFi HD lighting up the fiber soon, bringing the grand total of HD stations available nationally to 46. Keep an eye on that EPG -- particularly you customers with the U400 package -- and let us know if (and when) the supposed newcomers go live in your living room.[Thanks, Mark]
AT&T's U-verse scoots into Tulsa, Oklahoma
Look out Cox -- a new competitor just rolled into town, and it's rolling in on fiber. AT&T has just announced the launch of U-verse in Tulsa, Oklahoma, bringing high-speed internet, digital phone and fiber-based television programming (2 HD / 2 SD included) to one of OK's largest cities. As of right now, the service can be ordered by select customers in Tulsa, Jenks and Owasso, and while AT&T isn't handing out a timetable, it is stating that U-verse services will be made available to "more homes throughout the area on an ongoing basis." So, anyone going to give it a shot?
AT&T outlines $250 million network investment in Connecticut
Given that we're still waiting for some tangible results from AT&T's half billion dollar fiber investment in the Carolinas, we wouldn't get our hopes too high for any sudden improvements in Connecticut. The carrier has announced plans to invest some $250 million in the Constitution State's wired and wireless networks, which should bring 3G access to more cell sites and enable it to spread U-verse to more homes. Regrettably, AT&T failed to mention specific locations in which it hoped to stretch its fiber-based programming service into, but hopefully we'll know something further before the next decade comes and goes.
AT&T and DISH Network's marketing deal changes status to "it's complicated"
AT&T and DISH's tumultuous relationship seems to be ending, with the satellite company filing an 8-K form with the SEC indicating its received notice from the telco that it plans to end their marketing collaboration as of December 31. The possibly ill-fated from the beginning arrangement hasn't necessarily gone beyond the point of no return, since AT&T reps have indicated this was simply necessary for a six-month notification, but the company is still "discussing options" with DISH. Multichannel News contacted DirecTV and they indicated they too, are also still negotiating with AT&T in a bid to market triple-play services in areas where it hasn't rolled out U-Verse service yet. At this point we're expecting a drunken teary phone call from one or both (or all three) parties wondering where things went wrong any minute now.Read - ReutersRead - Light ReadingRead - Multichannel News[Image courtesy GiftsByExpressions]
AT&T's U-verse ambling down to Miami, Florida?
While AT&T has been making a play for business in the south, the Sunshine State has remained largely untouched by hints of U-verse arrivals. Until now, that is. We're hearing the faintest of whispers that U-verse may actually be on its way to Miami, and better yet, the first service could be flipped on in as early as three weeks. Unfortunately, this will have to be regarded as a rumor for the time being, but we won't be waiting long to find out the truth.
Courts favor AT&T / Verizon, back new video franchising rules
While Verizon and AT&T try to work their FiOS and U-verse services into new areas, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth circuit in Cincinnati handed them a victory today by ruling that the FCC's new rules setting time limits for local authorities to act on new franchise applications are within its authority. The new ruling at the heart of the debate gives local jurisdictions 90 days to act on apps by providers that already have access to city land to run connections, and 180 days for new entrants to citeis or towns, and bar them from mandating new requirements the FCC finds unreasonable, like building a community swimming pool. While we're big fans of municipal pools, we're also into competition and consumer choice, so if you've been waiting to get TV via telco breathe easy knowing the path just got a little smoother.Read - ReutersRead - Verizon's response
AT&T expands U-verse to Central Valley of California
Sure didn't take AT&T long to move west from Nevada, as it has just announced that residents in and around Fresno, Visalia and Clovis, California now have a shot at signing up for its fiber-based services. U-verse TV, broadband internet and phone has been flipped on in the Central Valley, and while select individuals can order the goods now, AT&T has vowed to string it out to more communities in the near future. As usual, AT&T's not mentioning whether 2 SD / 2 HD will be activated immediately, but here's to hoping it is.Update: Looks like 2 SD / 2HD is active. Thanks, Dragonwyntir!
Cisco set-top-boxes to solve U-verse audio dropouts?
Looks like one of those "souped-up" set-top-boxes could be just what the doctor ordered for ailing U-verse users. It's no secret (not even to AT&T) that many customers have been experiencing intermittent audio dropouts using optical audio connections on the current Motorola STBs. Typically, the glitches occur every 30 seconds to a minute, and the problem seems to reside within the box itself. Reportedly, Tier 2 technical support has advised some subscribers that Cisco boxes are now being dispatched for those dealing with the issue, and of course, AT&T asserts that these units will solve the problem. The latest word on end-user availability is "within [a few] weeks," so hopefully a bona fide fix isn't too far out.[Thanks, Ryan]
AT&T launches U-verse in Nevada: Reno and Sparks get first dibs
Hey Nevada, don't ever say AT&T never gave you anything, alright? Said carrier has just launched its fiber-based U-verse services in the state, with Reno and Sparks first on the list to receive 'em. Both locales can get on board with U-verse TV, High Speed Internet and / or U-verse Voice, and while select individuals can order any of the options now, AT&T has assured us that more homes will be reached "on an ongoing basis." As for Las Vegas? Take a guess -- it's just as good as ours.[Thanks, sYn0ptik]
AT&T's U-verse expanding to Northeast Wisconsin
Not even two full months after AT&T announced its intentions to spread U-verse to more of Southeastern Wisconsin, Fox Cities TV has confirmed that the carrier will be launching the services in the Northeast portion of the state as well. According to AT&T Wisconsin's Jon Hayden, the region-wide launch will occur on June 30th and cover areas of Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh and Fond Du Lac. Reportedly, the operator will start taking orders for service in these locales today, and best of all, you can look forward to having 2 HD / 2SD activated when the service flips on. Not a bad way to start the summer, huh?
AT&T celebrates a year of U-verse expansion in Detroit, Michigan
Oh AT&T, you party animal. Just days after dancing the night away in celebration of having U-verse in the always-classy city of San Diego, now you're firing up the club scene again for Detroit. A year after the carrier originally brought U-verse services to the city, U-verse TV is now available to over 625,000 living units, and some 1,300 new jobs were created due to "video reform legislation." Currently, said service is available to more than 160 communities in southeastern and western Michigan, and there are already plans in place to expand it further in the state. Party on, we guess.
AT&T fires up U-verse in more of Chicago market
As the race continues to see who can spread their fiber-based networks across more US territory first, AT&T is hoping to excite quite a few Chicago residents by stringing U-verse to around "175 towns in the Chicago market, including many Northwest and West suburbs." Make no mistake -- AT&T's gunning for Comcast here, but unfortunately, it doesn't look as if 2 HD / 2 SD will be rolled out at this time. No specifics on communities were passed along, so if you're in the area and looking for a change, phone up this carrier and see what transpires.
Attention U-verse users: 2 HD / 2 SD rollout schedule gets leaked
Up until now, AT&T's rollout of 2 HD / 2 SD -- which, for those unfamiliar, enables U-verse users to record two high-def programs at once rather than just one -- has been hit or miss. Now, however, we've received a list of locales coupled with dates that gives a little rhyme and reason to the sporadicalness. A number of cities will be seeing the service activated in waves (or so it seems), and while some folks should be noticing the change at any moment, others could be waiting for a good while still. We won't keep you wondering any longer -- head on past the break for the entire list.[Thanks, TRHC]
AT&T brings U-verse to 250,000 San Diego homes
Nary a month after AT&T celebrated the one-year anniversary of U-verse in Los Angeles, the operator is sparking the party back up with a similar celebration for San Diego. Since launching in June of 2007, AT&T has delivered access of its fiber-based TV / internet service to over 250,000 domiciles in the Greater San Diego area. Granted, it didn't say how many actually took advantage and signed up, but it's still maintaining that it will have one million subscribers before 2009 dawns. We'll see, now won't we?
2HD / 2SD U-verse service arrives in Austin, Texas
Don't you worry, U-verse user -- AT&T hasn't ditched its 2 HD / 2SD initiative just yet. After quietly infiltrating areas of Missouri, Michigan and Georgia, we've located its latest target: Austin, Texas. According to a local, his service recently changed from 1 HD / 3 SD to 2 HD / 2 SD without so much as a peep from the carrier. For those unfamiliar, the change enables U-verse customers to record one HD program while watching another HD show live -- something that still cannot be done in most U-verse areas. C'mon AT&T, let's get this wondrous feature rolled out nationwide. Chop chop![Thanks, Tom]
AT&T eying 18 cities and counties in Mississippi for U-verse
We already knew that AT&T was potentially looking to make Mississippi a U-verse state, but now it seems things are getting all the more serious. A recent article on the subject noted that the "Jackson County Board of Supervisors on Monday welcomed the idea of competition for cable companies and said they'd support AT&T coming in," which means that it -- along with Harrison county -- would be along for the ride. According to Kathleen Shaughnessy (with AT&T), the carrier has its eye on 18 cities and counties in the region, but it needs a total of 8 agreements "before AT&T will start seriously considering it." A couple down, a few more to go.[Thanks, Robby]
AT&T hoping to make Mississippi a U-verse state
You didn't really think AT&T was going to string its U-verse network all the way down to Alabama and not hit up Mississippi for some business while it was around, did ya? According to an article in the Sun Herald, the aforesaid carrier has "introduced its new U-verse television network to the Biloxi City Council, which tabled a resolution to approve the service until the lawyers can agree on a contract." AT&T has already agreed to share 3-percent of its gross revenue with the city, and we're also told that the agreement has been "unanimously passed in Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Harrison County and Moss Point and will be considered by Jackson County, Pass Christian, Long Beach and other Coast communities." We're no experts on wading through red tape, but it sure sounds like the fiber-based service isn't too far away.[Thanks, Robby]
