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AT&T hits goal of one million U-verse TV subscribers
Just a day after announcing that U-verse TV was lit in select areas of Raleigh and Orlando, AT&T has reached its long-time goal of securing one million U-verse TV subscribers before the end of 2008. And yeah, the outfit's chief executive of telecom operations totally called this last week, but we're willing to bet he had access to some pretty confidential (and telling) figures. At any rate, the milestone has been hit less than 2.5 years after the service first launched, reaching some 79 major markets in 16 states. Kudos AT&T -- now how's about you get those expansion efforts moving forward at a frantic pace? You know you want two million by July.
AT&T lights up U-verse TV in Orlando, Florida
Back in July, AT&T's U-verse services went live in South Florida. Now, those in the central region (Orlando, more specifically) can finally shake the little brother syndrome and indulge as well. On the same day in which AT&T activated U-verse in the Triangle region of North Carolina, it has begun to sell service to select parts of Orlando. The launch will provide the "first serious threat to Bright House Networks' dominance as the main cable provider in Central Florida," much like it's infringing on TWC territory in NC. Sadly, we're still waiting on confirmation of service areas from AT&T, but you can phone your local retail store to see if any information has leaked out to those channels.
AT&T goes live with U-verse TV in Raleigh, NC area
Be still our hearts! The rumors were indeed true, and U-verse TV has at long last arrived in the Triangle to combat the monopoly that is Time Warner Cable. A breaking report from WRAL has it that the carrier is "offering its U-verse TV service as well as high-speed internet service in the Triangle," but fails to elaborate on specific service areas. We've heard from locals that Cary, NC will be one of the first locations with access, but until AT&T issues its own confirmation, it's hard to say for certain. Obviously, those who sign up will have access to Total Home DVR from day one, and we're told that packages will start at $44 per month. Reportedly, locals can ping local retail stores or head to the carrier's website to apply for access. In related news, TWC is said to be readying more HD channels as well as Start Over functionality and a feature that "allows you to watch shows you missed, up to 48 hours after the program originally aired." Funny -- we suspected that real competition was on the way when 20 some-odd high-def stations showed up on the cable company's lineup in late October. Guess that wasn't too far from the truth.[Via The Wolf Web, thanks Dave]
AT&T's U-verse TV goes a year strong in St. Louis, Missouri
Well, wouldn't you know it? Another one year birthday for another locale in AT&T's admittedly small U-verse TV family. As of now, the fiber-based programming service is available to over 355,000 living units in the St. Louis region, including sections of Arnold, Florissant, Manchester, Maplewood, St. Peters and Wellston. As always, the operator has promised to continue expanding the service on an ongoing basis, though we're beginning to wonder when "expand" will refer to something more than just a few miles out of cities already covered. Yes, that's jealousy on our breath -- so?
Poll: Would you switch carriers if fiber came to town?
Depending on where you live, the entrance of a fiber carrier may or may not sway your pay-TV decisions. Apparently Comcast sure thinks it will in Philadelphia, and it got us to wondering just how eager people are to transition from tried-and-true cable to the likes of U-verse TV (AT&T) and FiOS TV (Verizon). Moreover, would those of you in satellite contracts also consider jumping ship when the time came? Why or why not? We've certainly seen less than enthusiastic reviews for both major fiber carriers in the US, but it's not like cable companies are spot free of issues, either. If fiber came calling, would you come running (and if so, from who)? %Poll-23772%
AT&T could bring U-verse services to Rock Hill / Columbia, SC within a year
Given the proximity of Charlotte, NC to both Rock Hill and Columbia, SC -- not to mention that $250 to $350 million fiber investment across the Carolinas -- we suppose it's no real shock to hear that AT&T is planning on bringing its services down south to Gamecock country. According to a local paper, the operator "has received certificates from South Carolina officials to bring the service to Columbia and Rock Hill within a year." AT&T itself has refused to dish out a definite launch date for the upstate, but it has said that it is "already upgrading its network toward that end." Truth be told, we'll feel a lot more confident in all of this if the Triangle region gets lit next week as rumored. Fingers crossed![Via freetimes]
AT&T operations chief says it'll hit one million U-verse TV subs next week
It had its doubters, and this economy didn't help matters, but AT&T will reportedly convince its one millionth convert that fiber is the best way next week. According to the outfit's president and chief executive of telecom operations John Stankey, it will hit its goal of having one million U-verse TV customers by the end of the year. He was quoted as saying that "operationally, [the firm] has hit its stride," noting that it was slated to make the fiber-based programming service available to some 17 million American homes before 2009. Kudos on (almost) reaching a milestone, AT&T -- now, when's the next big wave of expansion?
TWC sues AT&T in Texas, claims it damaged equipment when deploying U-verse
Whoa boy, this could get nasty. Cable giant Time Warner Cable has brought out the legal team against rival AT&T in Western Texas, where it alleges that the latter company "destroyed and misappropriated cable company equipment when it rolled out its U-verse video service." By way of "sheer acts of vandalism, trespass, conversion and misappropriation of Time Warner's property," TWC says that AT&T actually marred some of its network, though spokespeople for both outfits didn't really have anything juicy to say on the matter. Analysts in the space have been quick to point out that these type lawsuits have been common for the better part of a decade, and in 2006, AT&T actually sued Time Warner Cable as it alleged that "its technicians illegally damaged its network when hooking up phone customers in apartment buildings." Wouldn't the world be a better place without this litigation and with lower prices for all? We say "yes." [Disclosure: Engadget is part of the Time Warner family][Via Broadband Reports, thanks Anthony]
AT&T's U-verse wheels into Charlotte and Toledo
While residents of the Triangle / Triad patiently await the rumored launch of U-verse in their respective areas, citizens of the Queen City are casually sticking their tongue out and grinning all the while. Out of nowhere, AT&T announced its U-verse TV / high-speed internet / digital phone debut in the great state of North Carolina with delivery in Charlotte, with Bob Sellman, general manager, Home Solutions, for AT&T in the Carolinas, accurately proclaiming that "cable has been the only game in town for too long." In related news, U-verse services have also claimed yet another Ohio city, and this time it's the home of the Rockets. Toledo, Ohio residents can now phone up the provider to see if their domicile is within a serviceable range, though anyone who watched last month's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition should have seen this one coming.[Thanks, Marc]Read - Charlotte expansionRead - Toledo expansion
AT&T rolls out Weather On Demand U-verse functionality in Houston, TX
Now that AT&T is finally finished rolling out its Total Home DVR software, it's back to adding in interactivity. As Weather On Demand continues to make the rounds, Houston, Texas has become the newest locale to become acquainted. Hard to say if you'll really be compelled to check the forecast on your HDTV versus, say, your cellphone, but it's there if you're into it.
AT&T eying December launch of U-verse in Cary, NC?
It's impossible to say just how legitimate all of this is right now, but the writing has been on the wall for months. We already knew that AT&T was laying down hundreds of millions of dollars for fiber improvements in the Carolinas, and we've already seen dodgy job ads and U-verse cabinets in the central region of NC. Now, we're really beginning to feel it. A number of locals in the Triangle have spotted AT&T trucks casually passing through, and upon asking, were told that U-verse services were planned for certain areas as early as December. More specifically, we're hearing that Cary, NC could be serviced first, though there's no word on when the Triangle / Triad at large would have the option to switch. And maybe it's completely coincidental, but TWC managed to go a lifetime without adding a substantial amount of high-def stations in these very areas -- now that competition's (possibly) rolling into town, we're finally seeing some effort put forth. [Via The Wolf Web]
AT&T bringing De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao to U-verse HD PPV
Regardless of his age or win total, Oscar De La Hoya is a preeminent eminence grise in the sport of boxing. That said, we understand that not everyone will be able to jet off to Las Vegas to see his December 6th matchup with Manny Pacquia, but those with AT&T's U-verse will be treated to The Dream Match in glistening high-def. 'Course, the pricing is apt to make you consider just visiting a bar ($65 for the HD PPV, $55 for the SD PPV), but who knows how inflated that tab could be by the end of the night. Decisions, decisions.[Image courtesy of PFW, thanks Anthony]
More HBO / Cinemax feeds being added to U-verse?
We know AT&T just unloaded 30 new high-def channels, but we're seeing reports from all across U-verse nation that even more premiums are popping up. We're hearing that some folks now have a Coming Soon screen for a variety of HBO and Cinemax feeds, mostly derived from the west coast. Some of the mentions include 5MaxHD, WMaxHD, HBOFHW, HBOSHW, HBOCHW, HBOZHW, HBOLHW, MMAXHW, ACTMHW and TMAXHW. Anyone else seeing the same? Different?[Via U-Talk Forums, thanks Anthony]
AT&T checks off a year of U-verse in Central Texas
AT&T and Texas are already BFFs, so it's no shock to see the carrier proudly recognizing its 1-year U-verse anniversary in the Central region. While most Americans wait patiently for the fiber-based services to roll around to their neck of the woods, some 275,000 living units in Central Texas can now dial up AT&T for their digital phone, high-speed internet and HDTV programming needs. As of today, the service is available in parts of Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock, Sunset Valley and West Lake Hills, and of course, there are always plans to expand that in the future. Sorry to wear our envy on our sleeves, but just take your victory and enjoy it quietly, okay Texas?
MGM HD joining AT&T's U-verse channel lineup
Chalk up another major service provider of MGM HD, earlier this week bringing it's 4,100 title library to bear on U-Verse's $5/month HD Premium Package. Already signed up across the country on other lineups, sliding into the space recently vacated by MOJO HD on some. Executive VP Doug Lee told Multichannel News the network is is up to twice its original projections, with launches in New York and LA possibly on deck and talks underway with Cox, Charter, Cablevision and the NCTC. If he gets his way, you'll be able to grab MGM HD no matter how you get your television, as long as you're willing to pay a little extra.[Via Multichannel News]
AT&T's U-verse Total Home DVR arrives in Green Bay, WI
Just as it did in nearby Milwaukee, AT&T has activated its Total Home DVR software in Green Bay, Wisconsin without even telling a soul. As of now, fanatics gearing up for tomorrow's showdown in Minnesota can check out the spoils of watching any recorded SD / HD material on any connected TV anywhere in the house. Give it a go on your box and see just how magical network streaming can be.[Thanks, Matthew]
AT&T launches Max 18: 18Mbps internet for U-verse TV customers
AT&T may be looking into the merits of capping bandwidth on its DSL users, but those currently tapping into U-verse services now have yet another option for sucking down files at a snappier rate. Beginning on November 9th, new and current U-verse TV users will be able to upgrade to Max 18, a new high-speed internet tier that provides up to 18Mbps down; curiously, AT&T fails to mention the theoretical upload speed that surely corresponds. At any rate, U-verse TV users purchasing high-speed internet as part of a bundle can replace their current level of service with Max 18 for $65 per month (total, not an upgrade fee). No word on any caps just yet, but you know some suit way up high in AT&T's ivory tower is mulling it over.
AT&T makes stronger push for U-verse in South Mississippi
AT&T isn't kidding around with its intentions to get U-verse into Mississippi as soon as humanly possible, and now we've got the provider making an even stronger push in Hancock County. More specifically, it recently asked the Hancock County Board of Supervisors to allow its fiber-based services to be "marketed in unincorporated areas of the county." Spokeswoman Kathleen Shaughnessy noted that AT&T would charge "whatever the market would bear, but that it would be very competitive." Of course, we've been hearing these type things for months now with no apparent forward progress, so we're beginning to wonder if AT&T's sentiments aren't falling on dear ears.[Thanks, Robby]
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.