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U-verse reps discuss ‘new choice’
Many area residents have responded to the story and poll about cable TV providers in the Dayton area.
AT&T U-verse, the newest provider to the region, is more of a mystery to some consumers, since it is not yet available to everyone in the Dayton and Springfield markets. But that is something the company said it is working to change.
“Our goal is to roll (U-verse) out as quickly as possible and reach as many customers as possible, so consumers can take advantage of this TV option,” said to Kari Toth, general manager of AT&T U-verse in Ohio.
Toth noted that U-verse, which is in just 22 states and 93 markets, took first place in the 2008 Residential Television Service Satisfaction Study put on by J.D. Power and Associates.
“For us to launch in 2006, and to be ranked in that short time is important to us,” Toth said. “We didn’t get that ranking without doing well in customer service.”
Toth added that U-verse is the only national provider to offer 100 percent Internet Protocol-based TV service, which gives the company the ability to integrate its services, including cable, Internet, phone and wireless capabilities.
“It is a newer technology,” said Toth, who also lauded U-verse’s Total Home DVR service.
“Customers can program DVRs from any PC or wireless device, and you can program four shows at once and play back that same show on different TVs.”
She said the receivers are HD ready and U-verse offers than 100 HD channels.
As far as pricing, Toth said U-verse does not have an introductory period, and customers do not sign a contract.
She added that the only complaint she had heard was that installation time can be long.
“We tell our customers to dedicate four to six hours for installation, since we want them to be very comfortable in how they use their new service.”
When I asked the U-verse folks what they thought about the local responses to the initial story on DaytonDailyNews.com, Chris Bauer of AT&T said he was pleased to see that they could offer area customers a new choice.
“Integration just makes for a great customer experience,” he said.
To find out if you are eligible for U-verse, Toth said you can call, click or visit — call (800) 288-2020, go to uverse.att.com or visit a local AT&T store.
She added that the Centerville store in Cross Pointe Center offers customers a chance to try out U-verse in person.
If nothing else, it will make for a more informed decision.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Consumer interest
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By JSR
May 29, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
My parents have had nothing but trouble with their AT&T U-Verse service since they signed up for it. They experience regular signal interruptions during TV programs and their phone service is completely unreliable, forcing them to resort to use of their cell phones because their home phone won’t work. Repeated calls to AT&T have not resolved the problems, and it’s been nearly a year. And unfortunately, I’ve spoken with lots of other folks who have experienced the same issues locally. If the J.D. Power & Associates Customer Satisfaction Survey had been conducted in this area, there is NO WAY AT&T would have earned a decent ranking. Buyers beware!
By Heather
May 29, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this
We have had U-verse for nearly a year and we love it - wouldn’t change it! We have only had one problem with it in that time period and the customer service was great. They had to send someone out and although it took him about 4 hours to figure things out, we can’t complain. And the whole home DVR is wonderful!
By Publicus
May 29, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
AT&T needs to take a look at some of their “is U-Verse available for you” online widgets. I get different responses from them depending on where I start on the AT&T web site.
By chiefwino
May 29, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this
The website is not always correct about service availability. Last year we tried to sign up based on the website’s assessment of our access, however after 3 hours of work by the technician he determined we were not within range of the local switch.
By Cassandra
May 29, 2009 2:45 PM | Link to this
After having numerous problems with Time Warner, my husband and I switched to U-verse. We love it. Although it took a while to get used to the channel line up, we have no plans of going back to Time Warner. Love the DVR feature as well, just wish we would have gotten a 2nd DVR box for the bedroom.
By Michael
May 29, 2009 3:21 PM | Link to this
LOL. A Time Warner Cable rep posted. U-Verse is awesome..period.
By Heather
May 29, 2009 3:56 PM | Link to this
Cassandra - you do know that your one DVR box now allows you to watch recorded programs on your other tv’s, don’t you? We only have one DVR and a few months ago, they made it that you could watch your recorded shows on any other tv in your house that you have a regular box for. It’s great! You can’t record or delete programs from those other tv’s, but you can watch the shows.
By mjm
May 30, 2009 5:09 AM | Link to this
We tossed out Time Warner and had U-verse installed this year and so far LOVING IT! Time Warner called us the other week and stated that since we were valued customers they were going to give us a cost break. LOL I had to inform them tat well NOPE we haven’t been a customer in quite a while.
By ERC
May 30, 2009 5:20 PM | Link to this
We have had U-Verse for 6 months and just love it - the picture is superior to any other service we have had and while there have been a few glitches the service has been most satisfactory. The technician that was out recently was exceptional.