High Speed Internet Service Providers Reviewed

AT&T Uverse customers in Connecticut  are getting a belated holiday gift.  Uverse added two channels to the lineup for northeastern sports fans, including teams that play in or around Madison Square Garden.  The channels – MSG HD and MSG + HD, feature teams including the New York Islanders hockey team, the New Jersey Devils, and the New York Rangers.  This change comes as a result of a federal appeals court ruling in December where Cablevision attempted to block internet service providers AT&T and Verizon from carrying the channels.  Cablevision had spun off the channels in 2011, but wanted to decide which providers could access it’s content.  Cablevision views the ruling as a “manipulation of federal law by Verizon and AT&T.”  Dan York, President of Cotent for AT&T said “After years of seeking access to this programming, we’re pleased to bring MSG HD and MSG + HD to U-verse TV customers.  We’re delighted that our U-verse TV customers now have access to these important HD sports channels on reasonable terms.  We will continue to work diligently on behalf o four customers to continue enhancing U-verse TV by adding the content they want at fair terms and prices.”

As part of its ongoing program to provide a better mobile experience in all areas, including coverage, applications and devices, AT&T announced today they have activated a new mobile broadband cell site in the greater Philadelphia area. The new site will offer better and faster coverage for businesses and residents along the Schuylkill Expressway and portions of Grays Ferry Ave. As a result, AT&T customers will be able to download files faster and enjoy the latest in interactive applications. Along with the advancements in ATT Uverse, the new cell site is indicative of the company’s commitment to provide customers with the best, most advanced Internet experience in the nation.  “We are a part of the community in Philadelphia and, as such, we are constantly seeking new opportunities to give our customers better service and a better experience” said AT&T‘s Pennsylvania president, Michael Schweder.

Bloomberg Business Week Reported on Monday that AT&T Inc, which owns and operates AT&T Internet service, AT&T U-verse and the largest telephone company in the United States, notified customers that there was a recent effort by hackers to breech online security in an attempt to collect subscriber account information. “We detected a systematic and organized effort to gain information about a number of different AT&T subscriber accounts — including yours,” the company advised customers in a recent e-mail. “We don’t believe the perpetrators of the attack gained access, nor did they obtain any information about your account.” Company officials reported that the hacking attempt employed some type of auto-script technology aimed at finding out if AT&T phone numbers are connected to AT&T online accounts. A company spokesman said that less than 1% of the company’s customers were affected.

AT&T has recently announced the release of their Uverse IP platform.  This new application will allow customers to connect their ATT Uverse TV to their high speed Internet and to a qualifying smartphone or tablet. Doing so will allow customers to leverage different applications which will bring together real-time TV programming with other social features. Jeff Weber, AT&T VP of Mobility & Consumer Markets, was quoted as saying, “Our customers want their TV viewing to have a social nature, but they don’t want to be distracted from the show on their TV screen. They want a choice of applications for their smartphones or tablets that will work with their TV, thus enhancing their viewing experience. These new applications will let our customers share details and interact with others regarding the programs they are viewing. And they will be able to do this on devices they are holding in their hands or are sitting right next to them on the coffee table.”

I recently took a look at the Internet service providers in my area to see what was available to our household.  Our family lives in the far northwestern suburbs of St Louis. We are fortunate to have Charter cable, which we use and works great. But unless we went to a satellite service, cable is really all we have available to us as a high-speed broadband connection.  AT&T is heavily advertising Uverse in the St Louis marketplace, but when we checked on its availability we were told that CenturyLink has most of the infrastructure under contract in the St Charles County area — which is where we live.  Even at that, CenturyLink does not offer DSL anywhere near our wooded subdivision. So for the time being we feel we are very fortunate to a have high-speed cable connection, because there are still some outlying areas very near to us that are not wired for cable and are too remote for DSL — even though they are still considered a part of the greater St Louis metropolitan area.

Were you aware that the Internet is being used to get staff community outreach?  Many churches are now using Internet programs to reach people who would like to volunteer to help others in need.  One minister in Texas has actually developed software that will help pastors who are striving to match volunteers to services that are needed in the community. The program can be used on church websites to help members learn about others with needs.  He said that since he has started using the program that it has been very effective in mobilizing church members to recognize that their are sick are elderly in their congregation that need assistance. He mentioned that many in his congregation had just signed up for ATT Uverse, a high-speed Internet service that was recently introduced in the area, and that this has put more congregation members online, which has also been helfpul.

Last week we ran across a comment that was posted on an Internet related blog.  The reader just tried AT&T Internet service by way of their new program AT&T Uverse.  He said it first came to their area a while back, but it was more expensive than his current bill from his cable company.  After receiving a call at his door by an AT&T account manager, however, he said he was offered the Fairfield County Discount. The deal offered him the U200 package with more channels than he got on his current cable system, a higher Internet speed, free in-home wireless, and free DVR service.  The price was good for one year with an option to renew for another year.  This individual said that the installation went without a hitch and he was kept advised every step of the way what to expect and when to expect it.  He said everything works just as advertised.  He was particularly enamored with the online channel guide because it is searchable.  He also said managing his DVR from online is a real plus!

These  days folks don’t just purchase cable or satellite TV, an Internet connection, or basic telephone service.  No, today the mass communication companies, such as ATT Uverse, have integrated all of these services into tremendous bundles that offer complete home entertainment systems.  With Uverse it is possible to record four different shows at the same time!  Not only that, you can start watching a show on a TV set in your living room, and finish watching it on a set in your bedroom — or any other set you have in the house! This is all done through the magic of a fiber optic network that offers many outstanding features.

For example, another outstanding option is watching television shows on demand.  Currently there are thousands of archived television shows that you can choose from.  Just order a show and there it is — right on your screen!  The same is true for motion pictures.  Currently there are thousands of Hollywood and foreign films that are available to be watched on demand — anytime you want!  You really need to look at all of the outstanding benefits that are offered in this outstanding package.  Many of tomorrow’s features are available to you today if ATT Uverse is available in your area!

In a report released Wednesday by Consumer Reports on their website, it appears that AT&T U-verse has deleted ESPN-3D from its current channel lineup.  The action took place this last Sunday just prior to the planned showing of the final evening of the 17th Annual X Games in Los Angeles, which were scheduled to be presented in 3D.  ATT Uverse had previously been offering the ESPN 3D channel as a $10 add-on option to its customers. However, now it appears that the demand was not great enough to renew their ESPN 3D contract.  AT&T does, however, plan to continue 3D within its on-demand programming.

The ESPN 3D channel was launched during the 2010 FIFA World Cup last year. Since that time it has shown varied 3D presentations including the X Games, college basketball, and games from the big three professional sports:  Major league baseball, NFL football, and NBA basketball, including the NBA Finals.  The report went on to say that both DirecTV and Comcast will continue carrying ESPN 3D — and at no additional cost to consumers.  According to knowledgeable sources, the move indicates that the high price of 3D television sets is holding 3D TV to a very small niche market, at least for now.

Uverse users can take advantage of a free app and flip to channel 98 every weekend in December to check out the Santa News Network.  Join Wolf Blitzen, Katie Comet and Alf the Elf report on the Big Guy hard at work in the North Pole, double-checking the naughty and nice lists and planning his big, worldwide jaunt via sleigh this December 24th.  Enjoy great sing along opportunities with your favorite holiday songs, tune into Reindeer Radio, watch movies, get a glimpse into Santa’s workshop, play games, and get great craft ideas.  AT&T is running a special “12 Days of Gifting” event.  Every day brings a new offer.

There are a number of reasons that many users are turning to ATT Uverse for their technology needs. First of all, this unique package allows users the ability to integrate all of their technology needs. Uverse brings cable television, internet and phone together in a way that hasn’t been seen before. The reviews are in and are positive. Customers love the flexibility and the savings with their accounts. When you bundle all of these services together, there is the potential for significant savings off of buying each component separately. Of course, it is also much more convenient to have a single bill to pay each month for all of your technology needs.

The smartest decision you can make about your internet service is to switch to ATT Uverse. This intelligent technology gives you the best speed, and works seamlessly together with all your broadband needs.  If you bundle with television and phone, you will find that you have an easy, in home wireless network that is all connected, and you don’t have to think about it.  Right now there are amazing discounts on select packages, and it really pays to sign up online.  Once you experience high speed that is beyond DSL, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

The smartest technology for your internet dollar is ATT Uverse. This ultra high speed broadband service seamlessly combines internet, phone, and television not only on one bill, but in an interactive way.  All services in this bundle work together to give you the ultimate in a home wireless system.  You can also get Uverse internet access as a stand alone system.  Right now there are terrific rebates for signing up online.  Get up to $200 back on select double pack bundles.  Enjoy AT&T’s legendary quality and service, while relaxing with the best in broadband quality.  These offers are online only, and for a limited time.