NOVEMBER 30, 2006 � After a June debut of its Project Lightspeed-enabled service in nearby San Antonio, AT&T Inc. (search for AT&T) has announced the initial launch of AT&T U-verse in Houston. U-verse services are initially available in limited areas, and AT&T plans to expand availability on an ongoing basis.
AT&T U-verse offers customers a combination of digital television -- including more than 25 high-definition (HD) channels -- and high-speed Internet access.
"AT&T U-verse changes the way customers look at home entertainment. We've reinvented television and introduced a better experience that brings a new level of personalization, simplicity, and satisfaction to the digital lifestyle," said Ed Cholerton, AT&T vice president and general manager for the Houston region. "We're excited that Houston consumers are among the first in the nation to enjoy our innovative U-verse services."
The AT&T U-verse TV features offered in Houston include:
- A variety of TV packages with more than 300 channels, including digital music, local, and premium movie and sports programming.
- Access to a "growing lineup" of more than 25 HD channels, a number that AT&T says is higher than the local cable provider. New HD customers can receive two months of free HD service ($10 per month thereafter).
- Web remote access to digital video recorder (DVR), which allows customers to schedule recordings using their AT&T Yahoo! Internet account. This feature is unique to AT&T among local providers, the carrier says.
- The ability to record up to four programs at once using a DVR receiver, another exclusive feature, according to AT&T.
- Built-in picture-in-picture functionality that allows subscribers to "channel surf" on any television without leaving the program they're watching.
- Specially designed set-top boxes, manufactured by Motorola, all of which are HD-capable and include universal remote controls that provide backlit buttons and one-touch access to VOD, DVR, and other services.
- A premium Spanish-language package featuring novelas, movies, news, sports, children's programming, talk shows, and other programs. New customers can receive the package at no charge for the first two months ($10 per month thereafter).
- A "growing" video-on-demand library with one-touch access to movies and events.
- Fast channel-changing.
- The ability to search for programs using title or actor's name.
- Three TV receivers -- one with a DVR, which allows customers to pause, rewind, replay, and record live TV -- at no extra charge with most programming packages. (Customers may add more receivers for $5 each per month.)
AT&T plans to continue adding more channels and interactive applications in the future.
Three packages of AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet U-verse Enabled will be made available to AT&T U-verse customers: Elite, with downstream up to 6.0 Mbits/sec and upstream up to 1.0 Mbit/sec; Pro, featuring downstream up to 3.0 Mbits/sec and upstream up to 1.0 Mbit/sec; and Express, offering downstream up to 1.5 Mbits/sec and upstream up to 1.0 Mbit/sec.
All high-speed Internet packages offered as part of AT&T U-verse include wireless home-networking at no charge. Subscribers also receive "virtually unlimited" e-mail storage and anti-virus and anti-spam software.
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