Barry Levine, newsfactor
The IP voice service fills out the company's triple-play offering with cable TV, high-speed Internet, and now voice on one bill.
AT&T's 'Fiber-Rich Network'
AT&T said its U-verse voice service is a "managed IP-based service that is delivered over AT&T's fiber-rich network, unlike many Voice over IP (VoIP) providers that offer best-effort digital phone services over the public Internet." AT&T said its service provides better sound quality, reliability and calling features.
The advanced features that AT&T is highlighting include a single voice mailbox that can be reached from any phone or PC, and an online management portal so users can manage call preferences, contacts, call history and other preferences.
It also highlighted Call History, for viewing the most recent incoming or outgoing calls online, and Click to Call, which allows the user to dial any number in the Call History by clicking with a mouse or using the U-verse remote TV control. There is also an online Address Book, a Locate Me feature so an incoming call can ring on up to four wireless or landline numbers, and traditional calling features such as screening or blocking.
Focus on Price
Bruce McGregor, an analyst with industry research firm Current Analysis, noted that U-Verse voice was first announced in January, and the company is now rolling it out and adding more services.
He called it a "compelling" offer to customers compared to similar triple-play bundles from other phone and cable companies. AT&T has noted that it has features to differentiate itself from cable, including the AT&T U-bar, with customizable weather, news and traffic information; a YellowPages for searching; and a variety of games.
McGregor noted that the focus from the providers is on price, "giving consumers the perception of a better deal" by buying Net access, cable and voice together. He added that some customers will now be assessing whether to get voice within such a bundle or to go with another service, such as an unlimited wireless plan.
Customers will have a choice of two calling plans. The Unlimited plan, which offers unlimited calling in the U.S., Canada or U.S. territories, costs $40 monthly. The Voice 1000 Plan has 1,000 Call Anywhere minutes to those areas for $30 monthly. Triple-play bundles reportedly begin at about $114.
As it rolls out, the U-verse service has had some bumps. In January, two fires and a pair of explosions prompted AT&T to replace about 17,000 batteries in the backup power supplies for U-Verse. The company said at the time that the incidents, all in outdoor telecommunications cabinets, resulted in no injuries and would not affect plans for the rollout of the service.
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