KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Knoxville area residents now have a new choice for their television and communications services, powered by the most advanced technology. AT&T* today announced the launch of AT&T U-verse(SM) services in parts of the Knoxville area, including AT&T U-verse TV, AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet and AT&T U-verse Voice. The services will be available for order beginning Monday, Oct. 26.
AT&T U-verse services, which are all delivered over AT&T's advanced Internet Protocol (IP) network, offer a new alternative to cable and an unmatched experience for customers. AT&T U-verse brings together your U-verse TV, U-verse Internet, U-verse Voice and AT&T wireless services - all on one bill - with unique features that provide a new level of integration, convenience and control. AT&T U-verse TV ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the South Region Two Years in a Row," according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 and 2009 Residential Television Service Provider Satisfaction Studies(SM).
"Today's launch of AT&T U-verse reflects our commitment to make the significant investments to bring Tennessee consumers a new era of true video competition," said Gregg Morton, president, AT&T Tennessee. "For the first time in many years, consumers in the Knoxville area will now have the choice they've been waiting for."
AT&T is introducing U-verse services in Tennessee thanks to The Competitive Cable and Video Services Act of 2008, HB 1421, signed into law by Gov. Bredesen on May 15, 2008. This legislation provides an environment that encourages new video providers, such as AT&T, to invest in Tennessee to compete against the incumbent cable providers and build the advanced broadband networks that will create jobs and fuel economic growth. On the first day that this new law became effective, AT&T filed its initial application for a state-issued certificate of franchise authority to offer video services in communities in Tennessee.
"We are thrilled to offer this innovative video choice to customers in Knoxville area," said Morton. "As we celebrate this U-verse launch, I want to remember the contributions of the Tennessee General Assembly to open Tennessee's video services marketplace to competition which is truly benefiting consumers. I would like to thank the contributions of Gov. Phil Bredesen, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey and Speaker Emeritus Jimmy Naifeh. This also wouldn't be possible without the support of Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Jamie Woodson, Sen. Randy McNally, Rep. Joe Armstrong, Rep. Joe McCord, Rep. Richard Montgomery, Rep. Harry Tindell and the other Knoxville area legislators who supported competition and choice for consumers."
More Choice, Advanced Features
AT&T U-verse TV is the only 100 percent Internet Protocol-based television (IPTV) service offered by a national service provider, making AT&T U-verse one of the most dynamic and application-rich services available today, with advanced capabilities that customers don't get from other providers.
AT&T U-verse launched across the greater Nashville-area in December 2008.
"This investment by AT&T is great news for Knoxville, as it brings exciting new technology and new jobs to our community," said Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Jamie Woodson. "As Tennessee policymakers, our goal was to increase investment throughout the state and give consumers more choices and innovative new services and I'm honored to help AT&T celebrate this launch."
Where AT&T U-verse services are available, local U-verse TV customers can enjoy numerous TV benefits, including the ability to manage and watch your recorded programs from a single DVR on any U-verse connected TV in the house with Total Home DVR; the ability to watch up to four channels at one time with U-verse TV Multiview; an extensive High Definition (HD) channel lineup with access to more than 110 HD channels; the ability to program DVR recordings from your Web-connected mobile phone or PC; personalized, on-screen weather, sports, traffic and stock information via AT&T U-bar; the ability to stream your personal photos and music files from your PC to your U-verse TV with Media Share; the ability to check the current weather conditions and forecasts in any U.S. city with Weather On Demand; and more.
"Cable has been the only game in town for too long, and we're excited to change that today in Knoxville," said Bryan Klamer, general manager-Home Solutions for AT&T Tennessee. "Quite simply, U-verse is cooler than cable. We know Knoxville area customers want a better choice to break free from cable, and AT&T U-verse is the answer. Using our IP platform, we can push updates seamlessly to our customers overnight and part of that U-verse experience is turning on your TV and finding something new to enjoy - at no extra charge."
With AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet services, every AT&T U-verse customer or small business broadband user can enjoy faster available speeds. Packages include a range of speeds, with the fastest downstream speeds up to 18 Mbps. All AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet packages include wireless home or office networking at no extra cost, and access to the nation's largest Wi-Fi network with unlimited connectivity at more than 20,000 hot spot locations.
AT&T U-verse Voice is a managed IP-based service that is delivered over the AT&T's fiber-rich network. This allows U-verse Voice customers to enjoy great sound quality and reliability, as well as unmatched calling features that combine with your AT&T U-verse TV, broadband and wireless services. Customers benefit from a single, combined voice mailbox for AT&T U-verse Voice and AT&T wireless messages; U-verse Central, an online portal to manage your call preferences and settings from any PC; an online voice mailbox; the ability to view your call logs from your PC or your recent incoming calls on your TV screen; the ability to initiate a call from your PC or TV using Click to Call; and more. All U-verse Voice customers have 911 service.
AT&T U-verse offers multiple combinations of TV, Internet and Voice packages to customize your experience. The most popular AT&T U-verse TV offers start at $49 a month (taxes, fees and other monthly charges apply). Professional installation is included, and you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
AT&T U-verse customers who want the complete home entertainment experience can also benefit from AT&T ConnecTech, an in-home care solution for virtually any technology or entertainment need, including computer, networking, TV, home theater installation, repair and maintenance. For more information, visit http://www.att.com/connectech.
For additional information on AT&T U-verse -- or to find out if it's available in your area -- visit http://www.att.com/u-verse, call 800-ATT-2020 or visit one of the following Knoxville area AT&T retail locations:
-- 234 Hamilton Crossing Dr., Alcoa -- 4494 Frontage Rd. NW, Cleveland -- 11555 Parkside Dr., Farragut -- 3001 Knoxville Center Dr. #2194, Knoxville -- 7212 Kingston Pike, Knoxville -- 2262 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge -- 7600 Kingston Pike, Suite 1556A, Knoxville -- 640 Parkway, Sevierville
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T | DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.
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IMPORTANT OFFER INFORMATION: Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse. Call or go to http://www.uverse.att.com/ to see if you qualify. All promotional offers expire 3/20/10. Residential customers only; Prices, programming, and offers subject to change without notice Internet speed claim(s) represent maximum downstream and/or upstream speed capabilities. Speeds may vary and are not guaranteed. Many factors can affect actual speeds including the use of other U-verse services. Credit and other restrictions apply. Purchase of U-verse TV required to order AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet. Channel counts include optional channels available in plan; Wireless networking may require adapter purchased separately; Fiber-optics apply to part or all of the network depending on your location. Other Charges: Taxes, city video cost recovery fees, and other fees extra; Equipment rental fees included in monthly service charges. Installation Included: Offer ends 3/20/10. No charge for standard professional installation for new AT&T U-verse customers ordering qualifying U-verse TV packages. 30 Day Money Back Guarantee: Offer ends 3/20/10. Residential customers ordering new U-verse service may cancel all AT&T U-verse services within 30 days from service activation. Money-Back Guarantee includes adjustment only of initial installation charges and one month service charges, if paid; Customer is responsible for all additional charges including but not limited to Video on Demand, Pay Per View, international calls, other pay-per-use features and non-returned equipment charges. HD Service. A monthly $10 HD Technology Fee applies for access to HD service. Subscription to an AT&T U-verse programming package and an HDTV required for optimized HD viewing experience. HD channel availability varies by package selected. HD Premium Tier available for an additional $5 per month and requires subscription to HD service for $10 per month. THDVR: Four channels can be recorded to the DVR or viewed simultaneously, up to 2 can be HD, subject to availability. Full Total Home DVR functionality requires a receiver for each additional TV at $7 per month each. DVR not included with U100 or U-basic packages. Media Share requires Windows XP or Vista operating systems and streams only photos or songs that are supported by Microsoft Media Player. Multiview: Channels/content available for viewing in Multiview are based on TV package subscription and additional programming purchased. Wi-Fi: Based on non-municipal company-owned and operated hotspots. Wi-Fi access not included with AT&T WorldNet service. An 802.11b/g enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See attwifi.com for additional services, details and locations. Wi-Fi at Starbucks available at U.S. company operated Starbucks locations with a hotspot.
AT&T U-verse services are provided by AT&T local telephone companies. Customizing options require AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet Service. Wireless phone with Internet access required and standard data charges may apply.
AT&T U-verse Voice: Available in limited areas and only with purchase of AT&T U-verse TV. Prices subject to change. Residential customers only. Installation, Universal Service Fund Fees, taxes, fees, and other charges apply. International calls billed at additional per-minute rates; higher rates may apply for calls terminating on mobile phones or other wireless devices. U-verse Voice, including 911 dialing, will not function during power outage without battery backup power. Non-returned equipment charges will apply if equipment is not returned within required timeframe upon disconnect of services. Service is not portable; will function only in your home. May be incompatible with monitored home alarms and medical monitoring systems. Refer to Learn More pages for U-verse Voice at http://www.uverse.att.com/ for more information on 911, battery backup, and home alarms. Acceptance of Terms of Service and 911 Acknowledgement required. Credit and other restrictions apply. AT&T U-verse Messaging may not be fully compatible with all AT&T wireless voice mail systems. Caller ID and Call Waiting might not work simultaneously with AT&T U-verse Voice. Unlimited Plan: Includes unlimited calling within the U.S. and to Canada and U.S. Territories. 250 Plan: Includes 250 minutes of calling within the U.S. and to U.S. Territories; 5 cents/minute thereafter. Minutes are rounded up.
AT&T ConnecTech® Services: Residential customers only. Not available in all areas. All offers are limited-time offers, taxes and surcharges extra, and service-specific terms and conditions apply. Wireless Network Set-up: Compatible hardware and software required. Computer Repair: AT&T not responsible for loss of data. Service is an incident-specific, reasonable-effort repair service for certain products and applications listed at http://www.att.com/connectech.
AT&T U-verse received the highest numerical score among television service providers in the South in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2008-2009 Residential Television Service Satisfaction Studies(SM). 2009 study based on 28,118 total responses from measuring 13 providers in the South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX) and measures consumer satisfaction with television service. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in January, March and June, 2009. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com
AT&T Inc.
CONTACT: Cathy Lewandowski of AT&T Inc., +1-615-804-6241,
cathy.lewandowski@att.com
Web Site: http://www.att.com/
