SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. announced today the expanded launch of AT&T Homezone(SM), a groundbreaking new service that integrates AT&T Yahoo!(R) High Speed Internet, AT&T | DISH Network satellite television and AT&T Home Networking services via a single device. The service, launched initially in San Antonio, San Diego and throughout Ohio this summer, is available today across the company's traditional broadband footprint.*
New levels of entertainment integration and remote access to the system are key differentiators of the service. With AT&T Homezone, the company is the first national telecommunications provider to offer seamlessly integrated video content and TV entertainment to the "digital living room," through both broadband and traditional satellite networks.
AT&T Homezone provides Internet-based video with satellite TV programming in a seamless in-home experience, giving consumers a powerful new way to extend the best of the Internet beyond the desktop to bring entertainment content to their TV screens and stereos. It features digital videorecording, movies on demand, photo- and music-sharing, storage for both, and it whets the anytime/anywhere generation's appetite with remote, Web-based access to the system.
AT&T Homezone is available to new AT&T | DISH Network residential customers who either already have or plan to order AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet and the 2Wire(R) home networking gateway. Customers can select from several broadband speeds and satellite TV packages, then purchase Homezone service for an additional $9.99 a month. The service is currently being promoted via a $30 Visa Gift card rebate program.**
AT&T Homezone also complements AT&T U-verse(SM) services, the company's video service based on Internet Protocol (IP) technology, which is available in San Antonio today and will be available in additional markets by year-end. While AT&T U-verse services will be the company's primary video offer in available markets, both offerings underscore the company's strategy to expand its video services portfolio, which includes AT&T | DISH Network service.
"Through AT&T Homezone we are offering our customers a new way to experience home entertainment and communications, maximizing the strengths of integrated broadband and satellite delivery for entertainment," said Rick Welday, chief marketing officer, AT&T Consumer. "It also offers net-based remote access to the system, features that differentiate it in the marketplace, and it underscores our strategy to integrate the three screens that many consumers value the most today: the TV, PC and wireless phone."
AT&T Homezone Features
In addition to accessing video content, AT&T Homezone customers will be able to access a range of Yahoo!-provided services: They will be able to view pictures from their AT&T Yahoo! Photos account; listen to AT&T Yahoo! LAUNCHcast radio (including their customized station); access movie show times and reviews from AT&T Yahoo! Movies; and, with AT&T Yahoo! Web Remote, they will be able to schedule and manage DVR recordings through a Web browser on their PCs.
The Homezone receiver at the heart of the service was developed for AT&T by 2Wire and integrates entertainment content wirelessly, sharing data with a 2Wire home networking gateway that communicates with the AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet connection. This in-home integration drives content for movies on demand -- or music and photos from the PC and AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet portal -- to the TV.
Future enhancements to the Homezone product will include a High Definition version of the receiver, as well as great new music and video content from content providers Yahoo! and Akimbo. Customers will also be able to eventually program their DVR and use other "remote access" features through their Cingular wireless phone.
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* Service will not be immediately available in Connecticut.
** Visa Gift card may not be used for AT&T products and services.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with 58.7 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at http://www.att.com/ .
Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand.
For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom .
