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Resolved Question

ATT DSL and U-verse

by Apr 6, 2012 6:42AM PDT

I've been an ATT DSL customer for quite some time. Now, I've received notification from ATT that my DSL must be changed to U-verse soon. Is it true that when U-verse is available at a particular location that DSL is no longer available? Or is it a sales pitch?

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mhthom has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer
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Branding. Marketing. Differentiation.
by Forum moderator Apr 6, 2012 6:45AM PDT

DSL is not an ATT exclusive so when you get DSL, it carries no marketing value. If you get the same service, for the same price but they stuck a new label on it, that's it. A new label.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand goes into marketing a little more. DSL is a COMMODITY and companies don't want to deal with commodities so they'll call it a new name yet it's the same old thing.

Hope this helps,
Bob

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This is not exactly true . . .
by WizardofhOgZ Apr 6, 2012 12:37PM PDT

From a user perspective, it may seem that simple; you get internet or you don't, regardless of what they call it. But U-Verse is, in fact, utilizes Fiber to the Node (FTTN) technology to increase bandwidth, allowing internet, VOIP and HD television to be serviced in the same line.

I recently went through the change from DSL to U-Verse because I wanted to drop my land line. I thought I could just call them and they would cancel the phone, leaving me with DSL, which has worked fine for me for 6 years. But they wouldn't do it without switching me to U-Verse, which I agreed to so long as they gave me something at least as fast for no more money - which they agreed to. It did take the technician 2-3 hours to connect - he ran into some issues - but now it's up and I'm getting faster speeds than before, so I'm happy.

As for information on U-Verse, take a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT%26T_U-verse

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This is not exactly true. . .-New!
by mhthom Apr 6, 2012 7:24PM PDT

Thank you. This looks to be where I'm headed. ATT has been doing considerable line work recently in my neighborhood--working toward the U-verse goal, I suspect.

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What I wrote is not exactly true.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Apr 7, 2012 1:20AM PDT

I'll agree with that. But as ATT is free to change this to drag everything under their flag, and DSL is a commodity they may drag it into a unified marketing plan.
Bob

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