WebProNews

Tag: U-Verse

  • AT&T Takes on Google With Austin Fiber Network

    AT&T Takes on Google With Austin Fiber Network

    AT&T today announced that it will, for sure, be installing 1 Gigabit fiber network in Austin, Texas. The company had announced in April that it intended to expand U-verse to the city. AT&T is currently deploying the network and intends to begin offering its U-verse service through fiber connections by December.

    The announcement is significant because Austin is one of the next cities to get Google Fiber. Google made the announcement back in April as well, and construction on the network is set to begin sometime next year. The Google Fiber network is expected to roll out in Austin sometime in mid-2014.

    AT&T has not yet announced pricing for its coming fiber connections in Austin. Its services will “initially” reach tens of thousands of possible customers in Austin and its suburbs. An expansion of the service next year will expand the network even further. Austin residents are being invited to vote on which neighborhoods will see U-verse access first.

    “Austin embodies innovation and social consciousness, and is the heart of a vibrant, ever-evolving tech culture and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Dave Nichols, president of AT&T Texas. “With our all-fiber U-verse services, we are building the foundation for a new wave of innovation for Austin’s consumers, businesses, and civic and educational institutions. It’s about engaging the full community and empowering the city and its people with all that technology can offer us. This investment will help attract new business and new jobs to Austin.”

    Nichols’ comments echo those of Google at the time it announced its Google Fiber expansion. AT&T’s U-verse rollout also demonstrates, once again, that Google’s fiber initiative is pushing competition to offer real high-speed broadband.

  • Usage Cap And Overage Fees Coming for AT&T DSL and U-Verse Internet

    Usage Cap And Overage Fees Coming for AT&T DSL and U-Verse Internet

    News is beginning to circulate that AT&T will implement a 150GB monthly cap on landline DSL, as well as a 250GB cap on subscribers to U-Verse beginning on May 2.

    Will this affect you and your Internet usage? Let us know your thoughts.

    DSLReports has learned that AT&T users will start receiving notices, about the change to the terms of service, sometime between March 18 and March 31. AT&T customers who exceed their usage cap will be charged a fee of $10 for every 50GB. (It should be noted is that the AT&T U-Verse TV Service WON’T count towards the GB cap).

    Engadget has an interesting statement from AT&T…

    “We are committed to providing a great experience for all of our Internet customers. Less than 2 percent of our Internet customers could be impacted by this approach – those who are using a disproportionate amount of bandwidth. We will communicate early and often with these customers so they are well aware of their options before they incur any additional usage charges.

    The top 2 percent of residential subscribers uses about 20 percent of the bandwidth on our network. Just one of these high-traffic users can utilize the same amount of data capacity as 19 typical households. Lopsided usage patterns can cause congestion at certain points in the network, which can slow Internet speeds and interfere with other customers’ access to and use of the network. Our new plan addresses another concern: customers strongly believe that only those who use the most bandwidth should pay more than those who don’t use as much. That’s exactly what this does – and again, 98% of our customers will not be impacted by this.”

    What are your thoughts on AT&T’s cap? Tell us what you think.

  • AT&T Launches iPhone App for U-Verse

    AT&T has launched a U-Verse iPhone app, which gives U-verse subscribers the ability to download and watch TV shows on their phones.

    The company says it is the first to provide an integrated mobile app that lets you manage your DVR and download/watch select shows. The app replaces the Mobile Remote Access for iPhone app.

    "We’re making it possible for you to watch TV shows on your iPhone at no extra charge. It’s just one more valuable and innovative feature available on U-verse TV," said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T U-Verse - Now in iPhone App formMobility and Consumer Markets. "Our U-verse multi-screen promise is now a reality for millions of U-verse TV customers, with content available on U-verse TV, U-verse Online, and today, U-verse Mobile. No cable provider comes close to matching the cross-platform experience we’re delivering today, and we’ll continue to add unique features that further integrate these screens."

    Users can browse the U-verse TV program guide, view program descriptions, schedule and manage your DVR recordings,  download TV shows over any Wi-Fi connection, and watch them in full-screen mode on their iPhone.

    All U-verse TV customers can download the app to manage their DVR, and the ability to download and watch content is available for customers that subscribe to the U300 package or higher.