U-Verse Review: Will AT&T survive the changing field of telecommunications?

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AT&T has been the leading network provider since the telephone networks were established. Not
without good reason though. AT&T is the pioneer when it comes to telecommunications. The nature of
the company is rooted to the invention of the telephone itself. After Alexander Graham Bell invented
the telephone, Bell tried to sell the patent to Western Union. The telegraph and mailing giant refused
the offer. Bell was then forced to sell the patent to his financial backers. These two backers had later
found the company that grew to be AT&T.

Due to its head start in the telephone industry, AT&T has always been in the lead. Perhaps no one would
argue about this as AT&T still currently has the most number of subscribers among all the network
carriers in the USA. It also ranks as the 14th wealthiest country in the world, second only to petrol
companies.

Currently, AT&T is planning to use its lead on wireless communications to dominate another market;
specifically, the TV industry. Because of advancements in IT technology, almost all forms of data can
now be sent as a computer file. Because of this and the switch of the TV to digital signals, AT&T, who is
already well versed in the field of wireless (and wired) communications and data transmission, had seen
TV as a viable investment.

This latest set of services that is offered by AT&T is called the U-Verse. U-verse is the newest brand for
AT&T’s TV, internet, and telephone services. The big question is: “Will U-Verse be enough for AT&T to
completely dominate the communications industry?”

We will be answering this question by observing the key criteria for customer subscription namely
internet speed, TV package, telephone services, data reception, customer support, and bundle price.
You can always skip to the summary if you do not want to view the nitty-gritty of it. But if you want
informed opinion and some explanation regarding the scores, then I encourage you to read through.

INTERNET SPEED
AT&T U-verse offers a basic internet package for $38 at 3 Mbps. Its premium package is offered at $63
per month with the speed of up to 24 Mbps. Sure it’s not as fast as Verizon FiOS but it sure makes up for
it. However, there are other more competitive internet providers, such as Verizon and Comcast, that are
providing faster traffic at the same affordable rate. According to a study made By FCC, verizon Ranked
number 1 in terms of speed, Cox and Comcast battles it out for number 2 and AT&T is in a tight battle
with everybody else in the middle. In terms of internet speed and reliability, AT&T U-Verse has much to
prove; hence an 8 out of 10.

TV PACKAGES
Like its internet service, AT&T’s TV packages are affordable and competitive. U-Verse offers only local
channels with its basic package, but starts to shine at the higher tiers as it can offer up to 430 channels
(with access to 145 High Definition Channels). However, it is not enough to topple down leading TV
providers such as DirecTV and Comcast Xfinity as these two have better HD channel selection and
more channels to offer (DirecTV). Verizon FiOS also have a better DVR than AT&T. AT&T’s TV package is
competitive, but not the best. We will be giving AT&T 8 out of 10 because of this.

TELEPHONE SERVICES
AT&T has been known for the telephone and wireless connectivity. However, in terms of home
telephone services, other carriers such as Verizon and Comcast have caught up as the development
in the telephone technology has come to a halt. All telephone services uses internet connection and
provide unlimited nationwide calls. Until AT&T can make an further innovate telephone services, its
reputation as number one will remain hollow. With this, we are giving AT&T 6 out of 10.

DATA RECEPTION
This field is AT&T’s strongest point and subscribers have continued to flock over AT&T. This is true
on both wireless and wired communications. AT&T has one of the largest, if not the largest, fibre
optics network in the country. AT&T provides FTTH or fibre to the home connection. This ensures high
resolution TV programming, high speed internet, and uninterrupted phone calls. This deserves a perfect
10 out of 10. The only downside is that damaged fibre optics are hard to repair and a broken cable
would mean a service blackout as all three of the services are dependent on a single connection. Thus,
any connection issue will depend on customer support which is our next criterion.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Together with data reception, customer support is AT&T’s ingredient to success. Any reported issue
with their lines or reception are immediately answered. Although it can take some time as expected
from the delicacy of fibre optics connection, AT&T’s customer support is beyond satisfactory. Aside from
this, AT&T is generous when it comes to maintenance and invests a lot for regular check-up of their
connections and line. Based from my experience and from some that I know, I would give AT&T a score
of 9 out of 10.

BUNDLE PRICE
AT&T U-Verse’s complete package of internet, TV, and telephone can range from $89 to $161. The basic
package includes 130 channels, 3Mbps internet and 250 minutes of telephone calls. A great bargain, but
this would pale in comparison to FiOS’s 15Mbps internet, unlimited call, Prime HD TV for a cheaper price
of $85. U-verse’s premium include 430 channels, 12 Mbps internet, and unlimited call for $161 while
FiOS can provide a better package of Extreme HD TV, 25 Mbps internet, and unlimited calls for almost
half the price of $99. This poor pricing and packaging offers can really make people shy away from AT&T
U-Verse. Because of this, we are giving it a Grade of 6 out of 10.

SUMMARY
Internet Speed – 8 out of 10, competitive, but far from the best.
TV Packages – 8 out of 10, competitive price but lack good selection and number of channels.
Telephone Services – 6 out of 10, stagnant technology
Data reception – 10 out of 10, best reception and network
Customer support – 9 out of 10, the best so far but can be improved
Affordability – Cheap (can be made cheaper with U-Verse coupon code), but a lot of other carriers offer
cheaper services.

OVERALL
U-Verse has a great service when it comes to network signal and customer service. On the other hand,
its television, internet, and telephone services and packages are competitive at best. U-Verse has a lot
of improvement in front of it before it can decisively be the first option in this fields. I’m giving it a final
score of 8 out of 10.