AT&T announces new and existing virtual private network customers may add VoIP service to the network solution delivered over AT&T's global network cloud. This converged solution will enable customers to consolidate their separate voice and data networks, reduce equipment and maintenance costs, and simplify migrating these complimentary capabilities to a common, secure infrastructure. By migrating to a common infrastructure, customers are able to take advantage of additional applications as AT&T makes them available, such as unified communications capabilities.

The AT&T VoIP portfolio is also certified for interoperability with leading industry providers of IP-PBX systems, such as SIP Trunking services qualified for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2, providing support for businesses planning to incorporate a comprehensive unified communications solution in the future.

AT&T VoIP portfolio is also certified for interoperability with leading industry providers of IP-PBX systems, including Microsoft, providing support for businesses planning to incorporate a comprehensive unified communications solution in the future.

The company's portfolio of VoIP services includes AT&T IP Flexible Reach, a SIP trunking service, which allows businesses to continue to use the capabilities of their existing IP-PBXs, optimizing their equipment investment. AT&T Voice DNA®, another product in the VoIP portfolio, is a fully hosted network-based service with advanced features, applications and management tools for customers.

VoIP calling plans include unlimited local and "on-net" long-distance calling, as well as "off-net" long distance international calling, and provide the local calling features customers have come to expect such as: caller ID, voice mail, conferencing, local number portability and E911. Customers are able to monitor and manage their network through AT&T BusinessDirect, an award-winning Web-based suite of secure, interactive tools which allows customers to perform a multitude of functions from network monitoring and performance optimization, to customer service and bill management.

Business customers want a single network and platform to deliver voice, data, video and applications to their end-users. VPNs are quickly becoming the strategic platform to deliver on the goal of a networked enterprise -- anytime, anywhere, reliable, and highly secure networking. With AT&T's VPN portfolio, businesses can use a single infrastructure (their VPN network) to connect branch offices, headquarters, remote users, and third parties such as suppliers and customers.

Remote workers and road warriors have the same functionality as their co-workers in the company's headquarters or branch-based co-workers through the VPN network. They have seamless access to business functions, applications and intelligence, including customer service to order processing, procurement, and now, voice services, over a single network, including the same voice mail and the corporate dialing plans,

AT&T customers can access their VPN using virtually any access technology, such as mobile, Wi-Fi, DSL, dial-up and Ethernet.

AT&T announces it now serves 1 million AT&T U-verse Voice digital home phone lines. The milestone comes two years after AT&T introduced the advanced VoIP service, which is now available to millions of homes across 22 states.

AT&T U-verse Voice is a next-generation digital voice service delivered over the AT&T U-verse IP network. More than 67 percent of new U-verse TV customers bundle U-verse Voice service.

AT&T added 248,000 U-verse TV subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2009, totaling 2.1 million U-verse TV subscribers nationwide and adding 1 million U-verse TV customers in the last year alone.

Since the commercial launch of U-verse Voice in January 2008, AT&T has continued to enhance the service and expand availability to provide more choices for consumers. U-verse Voice is now available in all 120 markets that offer U-verse TV, giving consumers another option for their home phone services.

U-verse customers benefit from flexible triple- and quad-play bundles. Customers can choose from multiple combinations of U-verse TV, U-verse Voice, U-verse High Speed Internet and AT&T wireless plans that offer significant savings and integrated features. As of the end of 2009, more than 90 percent of U-verse TV customers bundle High Speed Internet, and more than 75 percent of U-verse TV customers have a triple- or quad-play.

U-verse Voice customers also enjoy unmatched calling features that provide deeper integration across their bundle. For example, customers have a single, combined voice mailbox for convenient access to their AT&T U-verse Voice and AT&T wireless messages. They can also view their call logs on their PC or their TV screen, and initiate a call from their PC or TV. Last fall, AT&T started a market-by-market rollout of Caller ID on TV, which lets U-verse TV and Voice customers view caller ID and voicemail notifications on their TV screen.

AT&T U-verse is using the most advanced technology to revolutionize what Atlanta area consumers can do with their home phones. AT&T announces the availability of AT&T U-verse Voice in parts of Atlanta and the surrounding counties, bringing consumers a next-generation digital voice service delivered over the AT&T U-verse Internet Protocol network.

AT&T U-verse Voice is available to eligible U-verse TV customers in the Atlanta area, and brings together your home phone, wireless, broadband and TV services — all on one bill — with unique features that provide a new level of integration, convenience and control.

Since introducing AT&T U-verse in Atlanta in May 2008, AT&T has continually made the service available to more customers on an ongoing basis. AT&T U-verse TV, U-verse High Speed Internet and U-verse Voice services are available today in parts of metro Atlanta and surrounding areas including, Athens/Clarke, Barrow, Butts, Camden, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Fulton, Glynn, Gordon, Gwinnett, Hall, Henry, Jackson, Jasper, Lamar, Madison, Newton, Oconee, Paulding, Pike, Rockdale, Spalding, Troup and Walton Counties.

AT&T is reportedly working on a U-Verse IPTV box with Femtocell capabilities, claims an employee. This unit will cover TV, telephone, internet and improve your cellular reception. Being the owner of a iPhone with fairly weak AT&T reception in portions of my apartment, I'm excited to hear any news on Femtocell's to help improve my cell phone coverage.

The all-in-one box is supposed to come in 2010, while U-Verse continues to expand throughout the U.S. However, in addition to this news comes the 3G Microcell, AT&T's stand alone Femtocell pictured (right), is confirmed to be out in Q2 of 2009.

Consumers looking to cut costs without sacrificing satisfaction for Internet, television, and telephone service should consider bundling with Verizon FiOS or AT&T U-verse. In Consumer Reports' latest survey of major telecom providers and bundled services, featured in the February issue, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse, whose networks are fiber-optic based, were the most consistently satisfying providers for their Internet, television, and telephone services.

Because Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse are not available everywhere, many consumers must consider other options for Internet, phone and TV services. The article also includes Ratings of these three services, which are typically bundled, from various providers.

In areas where telco-delivered service is not available, a highly-rated cable company is the next-best choice for many households. Consumers may not have an option when choosing a cable provider because a majority of homes only have one cable company available in their area. According to Consumer Reports' survey, better cable companies include Cox, Cablevision and the smaller Bright House and Wow, which are fine alternatives to fiber-optic service providers for all three services in areas that they are available and also offer Internet and telephone services.

If television service is a priority and fiber-optic service isn't available, satellite service may be a fine option. Consumer Reports suggests opting for a bundle that includes DirecTV. It scored higher than all the major cable companies and Dish Network, the other major provider of satellite service, for TV picture, sound and channel selection. It is also offered in hybrid bundles along with DSL Internet and landline phone service from some telephone providers.

Bundling Prices Decline

Intense competition for cable and satellite customers between AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS high-speed fiber providers has driven down rates for Internet, phone and TV service and is likely the reason that companies allow these savings to continue past the promotional period. In the past year, bundles of the three services have dropped in price by up to 20 percent, to as low as $80 a month.

Bundling makes sense for many households, especially for those consumers who are served by one of the fiber carriers or one of the better cable companies. Consumer Reports' latest survey found that subscribers were very satisfied with Internet, phone and TV from the best telecom providers. However, bundling doesn't come without some problems. The survey revealed a high incidence of complaints about billing, and fees with some providers' triple-play packages. Despite its high marks overall, Verizon FiOS was below average for customer service to its triple-play customers. Cable companies that bundle services had fewer customer-service problems overall.

How to Choose

• Check alternatives. Only a small percentage of homes have two cable companies to choose from; most only have one. Satellite is more widely available, provided a home has an unobstructed view of the horizon to the southwest. DSL is widely available in urban and suburban neighborhoods. While fiber-optic service, such as Verizon FiOS and U-verse from AT&T, is spreading fast, it is still only available in about 8.5 million homes in about one-third of the states.
• Weight the case for bundling. With most providers, signing up for more services equals more savings. Bundles allow for integrated services, such as display of callers' phone numbers on the TV screen, which is offered with some phone/cable packages. Triple-play offers often come sweetened with more extras, such as free installation. Consumers may also be guaranteed low rates for a longer period of time with triple-play than when subscribing to services one at a time.
• Don't rule out a la carte. Taking fewer than three services from any one provider allows flexibility. Spreading service among a few carriers also eliminates the possibility that a network or equipment failure will knock out all telecom services. Although bundles usually ensure maximum savings, Consumer Reports found at least one instance where the cost of the service taken individually was actually lower than when it was part of a package.
• Consider phone safety. Cable VoIP and fiber phone service require a battery back-up to use during power outages. These battery backups may be provided or have to be purchased for an additional fee. Additionally, if an outage lasts longer than the battery backup, consumers may be left without a phone for the remainder of the outage. Emergency 911 service varies among technologies. Consumer Reports recommends supplementing VoIP service with basic landline service for use in 911 calls.
• Fine-tune by other attributes. Consumer Reports Ratings reveal that providers differ in more than their customers' overall satisfaction. Consumers should determine which TV providers carry programming they desire. Keep in mind that fiber and satellite usually have a termination fee but cable does not.

How to Get the Best Price

• Check rates, then check again. Consumers should scour the provider's Web site for the best deals, and ask a customer rep if the price quoted is the company's absolute best offer. Consider checking again. Consumer Reports found that rates could change, seemingly by the representative who took the call.
• Negotiate. It can pay off, particularly in areas where there's competition between a cable provider and a traditional telephone company, and when a promotional rate is expiring. Ask for a reduced price or free extras, such as installation or a premium channel at no cost.
• Ask for sample bills. Before finalizing a deal, ask for a summary of all charges for the first and subsequent months. Confirm that the figures include all taxes and fees, and one-time expenses such as a charge to keep an existing phone number. Try to get all the information in writing. Check the figures later against the actual bills.
• Fine-tune extras. As a rule, consumers shouldn't pay more for higher-speed Internet service unless they are doing a lot of downloading or sharing of lengthy videos or other very large files. Most VoIP and fiber-based phone plans include caller ID, answering service, and unlimited local and long-distance calling in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, and sometimes other countries. Check that these features don't disappear or that the bill doesn't increase once the promotional period ends.

The complete report and Ratings are available in the February 2009 issue of Consumer Reports.

AT&T U-verse Voice in launches in parts of Northeastern Illinois, bringing consumers a next-generation digital voice service delivered over the AT&T U-verse Internet Protocol network. U-verse Voice brings together your AT&T home phone, wireless, broadband and TV services all on one bill with unique features that provide a new level of integration, convenience and control.

AT&T U-verse Voice completes the company's IP triple play and is available to all new and existing U-verse TV customers in the Northeastern Illinois area. With U-verse Voice, customers receive new features that highlight the benefits of having advanced video, broadband, wireless and home phone services from a single provider.

AT&T U-verse Voice is a managed IP-based service that is delivered over AT&T's fiber-rich network, unlike many VoIP providers that offer best-effort digital phone services over the public Internet. 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 from AT&T.