AT&T offers U-verse for TV

• By TED GRIGGS
• Advocate business writer
• Published: Sep 8, 2009 - Page: 1A

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Starting today, some Baton Rouge-area consumers may be able to experience something new: AT&T’s alternative to Cox Communications’ television, phone and Internet service.

AT&T calls its service U-verse, and the company is pushing the TV segment.

One major advantage of U-verse is flexibility, said Bonnie Denson, AT&T director of home solutions. Among other things, consumers can watch high-definition recordings using a single digital video recorder and play up to four recorded shows at once; look at their online photos; play their favorite games; and customize stock, weather, sports and traffic information on their TV screens.

The cost for the television service ranges from $49 per month for up to 70 channels and one DVR receiver to a package featuring up to 360 channels, a movie package, HBO/Cinemax, and a sports package. The Internet service ranges from $33 to $65 a month, while phone service is either $25 or $30.

However, AT&T officials refused to say exactly where in the Baton Rouge area the service will be available. In order to find out, consumers will have to go to http://www.att.com, an AT&T store or call (800) 288-2020. TTY users can call (800) 855-2880 and enter “Uverse” when prompted.

One hint that the service is available is the installation of VRAD (video ready access device) boxes, spokeswoman Sue Sperry said. The boxes and additional fiber lines have been laid in areas where the service will be offered.

Over the last couple of years, AT&T has invested millions in laying additional fiber and has hired 10 people to install the service, Sperry said.

AT&T had to get special permission from the Metro Council in 2008 in order to offer the service here. Under the deal, the city-parish gets 5 percent of AT&T’s gross revenue from subscription fees and 0.5 percent to support the cost of building and operating the public, educational and governmental channels.

“Competition is good for consumers. The problem is they (AT&T) haven’t competed very hard,” said Mark Cooper, Consumer Federation of America director of research. “I don’t know the details of what they’re doing in Baton Rouge, but the telephone companies tend to come in with a price that’s roughly equivalent for a service that’s roughly equivalent.”

Sperry said while AT&T’s pricing is similar or lower, the U-verse services are “vastly superior” to Cox’s. U-verse can serve the customer’s entire home, she said.

U-verse is available in around 100 markets. AT&T says 1.6 million customers have subscribed.

Competition saves consumers money and advances innovation, Sperry said. For example, AT&T is offering an introductory package of all three services for $90, Sperry said. Cox will likely counter.

In addition, competition forces businesses to innovate, to try and capture business by offering more services for less money, Sperry said.