Review by caseywor 
UPDATED: 10 days ago
member for 5.6 years, 203 visits, last login: 2 days ago
 Mobile,Mobile,AL
 $170 per month
 about 7 days
 "Setup box is responsive, channels change quickly."
 "Only 2 HD streams :( - Also,The remote controls could work just a smidge better"
 "A great product, so far, if you don't mind the limitations."
| Pre Sales Information:
Install Co-ordination:
Connection reliability:
Value for money:
(ratings match consensus)
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I knew by way of newspaper articles, and Broadband Reports, that U-Verse was coming to Mobile. I went to their website to check for availability, and I qualified. Instead or ordering via the web site, I did an on line chat with a rep, and managed to rack up $325 worth of rebates based on the following service: 6 Mbps internet, U-300 programming package, and digital phone service. This amount of rebates will help me with the DirecTV contract buyout that I am facing. She gave me the next available appointment, which was a week out.
I was installed with U-Verse on September 1, 2009. This was the second day it was rolled out in Mobile, AL. I had my installation appointment from 12:00 -2:00 pm that day, so I took half the day off. When I arrived home shortly before noon, I found three linemen at work testing my connection speed from my house (a new NID they installed) to the VRAD. I was getting 25 Mbps and I am about 1100 ft from the VRAD. The guys were polite, and let me know that the U-Verse person would be by during the appointment time to begin the actual U-Verse install. At this point, my existing DSL had been disconnected from the DSLAM pending the U-Verse installation. My POTS line was left in place, however.
At about 12:40 pm, I got a call from the installer, he let me know he was in route and would be there in about 30 minutes. About 30 minutes later, her did arrive. He was a young guy, nicely dressed, but not that well spoken. Oh well, that really didn't matter; he seemed to want to do a good job. The actual install only took approx. 2 hrs.
Installation specifics: I previously had a basic AT&T POTS line, 3Mbps DSL, and a three-room DirecTV HD (non-DVR) system. The installer simply added a second phone jack to the wall by my TV, and main PC in my living room (they are next to each other). Basically, the new jack connected to the phone line coming in from the CO/VRAD and supplies the 2WIRE gateway, and the existing jack used to feed the POTS output from the gateway back to the outside and feed the other phone jacks in the house. Since my 2WIRE gateway is next to the TV in my living room, the installer used a Ethernet connection from the gateway to my STB on my living room TV. He then used the formerly incoming cable from DirecTV system as an outgoing cable. Outside, he used that outgoing feed from the U-Verse 2WIRE gateway to feed a splitter that coupled up with existing cables going to two bedrooms in my house. As far Internet goes, no modifications had to be made; I simply am no longer using my old Westell DSL modem or Linksys router.
The installer hooked up the new STBs to my TVs using new jump cables from the wall outlets that were previously installed by DirecTV. The installer then made sure that my old POTS line phone number was ported over, it was. He then had to come back in and setup the backup battery for the gateway; he actually forgot to do this at first.
After the installer left, it was playtime. I was very quickly blown away be the presentation of the TV service, by way of the onscreen guide, and the RAPID channel changes. Also, the picture quality was better than what I thought it would be, partially based on previous reviews. My impression, at that first moment was very good.
Later on that afternoon, I began to play with the DVR functions. Keep in mind that I am a newbie to DVRs at this point. However, I found the DVR setup to be mostly pleasing. I have a few complaints so far, but they are minor. After watching a recorded, I don’t like having to press stop, then use the remote’s down arrows to select “Watch Live TV.” Also, The menus are kind of difficult to cancel series recordings if you have pressed record twice. However, I love that the DVR can record 4 SD shows at once. This does help make up for the fact that you can only watch one HD program in addition to recording one at the same time. I had to try to see how the system behaves when you try to do too much watching or recording. I started recording an HD program while watching another one on the same TV. I went to the other room and tried to watch another HD channel, I got a message saying that no HD services are available at this time. It was nice to know how the system handles that. Once fun fact that I found, you can play back two different shows from the DVR in two separate rooms. That impressed me.
Now it was time to try surfing. Honestly, the speed is better only because I went from 3 – 6 Mbps package. Other than that, nothing really is special. I logged into the new gateway and set my SSID to what I like it to be, and turned off SSID broadcast.
I then used the digital phone service for the first time. The phone service really seems to work well so far. I previously used Packet 8 at a previous house, and the U-Verse voice really seems to work better, and it has a good sound quality. When you take the phone off hook, the dial tone quickly presents itself and you really wouldn’t know you are using a VOIP system. With Packet 8, I noticed a big lag for the dial tone and the time it took to connect. I made a few long-distance calls, and was happy when what I heard, so was the recipient.
Overall, I am very pleased. I am enjoying the TV service, it really seems to work better than satellite and digital cable, both of which I have used. The quick channel changes are a plus. The DVR is pleasing, though a little confusing in some of the menus. The Internet isn’t really an improvement. Speed tests are usually at 5000+ kbps most of the time for the 6Mbps service I am subscribing to. Honestly, it could be better, but that has been my experience with cable and plain old DSL too. I would recommend U-Verse to anyone that can get it and are within 2000 ft of their VRAD (so they can get 2 HD streams). I look forward to seeing if and how they are able overcome the 2 HD stream limitation.
UPDATE 9/10/2009
I just found out one new thing. Unfortunately, like with cable and unlike satellite, U-Verse is required to abide by the requirement for Emergency Alert System weekly tests. However, unlike with cable, the emergency alert is sent to the receiver and not inserted over the channels, like with cable. Therefore you can exit the alert. Also, if you are using the DVR, the EAS test alert won't be present in the recording. This also gives you the chance to view what you may have missed during the alert.
UPDATE 9/16/2009
It has been two weeks yesterday since my install. I am still loving the service, the TV service has really been enjoyable. The only kind of minor situation I have had lately was the box slowing down a little upon channel changes after a lot of DVR usage and during some simultaneous recording. I have officially reset the box one time. Actually, the STB reset is somewhat quicker than doing it with DirecTV. I will say this, they should try to improve the remote control sensitivity a little bit. You do have to be a really good aim to use it sometimes. I have been known to hit a button and have the receiver not register the action. DirecTV systems do have a little bit better a remote system as far as not having to point directly at the receiver. As far as internet goes, I have had no problems. The speed test have been near enough to the caps to keep me happy. The ping times are indeed slightly higher than I had with DSL. Maybe about 20ms (occasionally) or so higher, but not too bad. As for the phone, I am liking it. I have had no phone quality issues or service outages with the U-verse voice so far. When I used Packet 8 in the past, I would have to reset it's box at least once a week.
9/20/2009
I have had my first service call today. This morning, I awoke to my U-verse service not working. My RG had its "Broadband" light flashing in red. Also, the "HomePNA" and "Phone" indicator lights were also flashing. I called the 800 number, and got a tier 1 tech. He had me try to reset the RG, and it didn't work. After about 20 minutes of trying to reset and wait, he dispatched a tech to come to the house. I was pleasantly surprised that someone was able to come on Sunday. He got here about 3 hours later, and quickly found that I was in sync from the VRAD all the way into my house. Therefore, it must be a bad RG. He replaced it, and all is now well. There was a bad storm this morning, I think it may have been a lightning strike. I hope to not have this happen too often. One final note: It appears that you can't watch a DVR recorded program in an outage, at least I couldn't with the bad RG.
Update 11/17/2009
So far, I am still happy with the product. I have had no other service outages since the previous one that required the replacement of my RG. The internet service, TV, and VOIP phone service have been very reliable.
I have talked a lot, so far, about the TV service. However, the phone service is something that I would like to talk a little more about. It seems to me that AT&T has got it right with U-verse voice. I have used other VOIP providers, Packet 8 myself, and Vonage at my brother's house. By far, U-verse voice has the best quality. I have experience none of the jitter or echo that I would occasionally observe with the others. A lot of people want to scream about the extra $5/ month that you pay for it. I feel it is worth it. In a nutshell, when you are using it, you don't even realize you are using a digital phone service, something I consider a compliment. I think AT&T has done a great thing with U-verse voice by provisioning it on their private IP network.
Now on to one thing that is bugging me about AT&T. They really need to cough up the rebates that they promise when you agree to switch. When I first ordered, I was promised $325 worth of rebates, enough to justify and offset the termination fee I face with DirecTV. To date, I have only received $100 and have heard no mention of getting the rest from AT&T. I can see now that I need to begin calling them. I like the TV service, but I am going to have to show them I am willing to cancel it if need be. I have that option due to the fact that I haven't cancelled with DirecTV, they simply have my account suspended pending me cancelling. I was depending on the rebates to offset DirecTV's cancellation fees, but now it seems they are not going to give me the full amount.
Overall, I love the U-verse suite of products. However, the rebate situation needs to be dealt with.
Followup comments:  
Devslair
@bellsouth.net |  Uverse Review
Good job! | |
|
Dbleupr
@fdn.com
| Thanks | |
|  | caseywor
join:2004-04-19
Mobile, AL
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·AT&T Southeast
| Re: Thanks No problem. I am still happy so far. The service has been great for me. I haven't had to touch the gateway except for configuring the wireless network to my liking. I have had to do NO resets of the set top boxes, and the phone service has been flawless. The only things negative I have noticed has been a few minor picture glitches on the TV. However, these 2-3 times have been over 10 days, not too bad.
I will say this, even with a few glitches, its working very well for me. With DirecTV, I had picture freezes more often than with U-Verse. I think some neighborhood trees were causing this. Also, we get a lot of rain in Mobile, and I have liked being able to watch TV when the weather is bad in stead of sitting through rain fade like with DirecTV. As for phone service, in the past with Packet 8, I would have to reset every few days or so, I have had no such problems with U-Verse. | |
| | | caseywor
join:2004-04-19
Mobile, AL | Re: Thanks! If the VRADs are up, it won't take too long. In Mobile, the VRAD boxes started going up this past early spring/late winter. They got power meters in place mid summer, and then started rolling it out August 31st. | |
|
Chris0313
@swbell.net | HD Picture I have read numerous posts that allege DTV HD is substantially better than Uverse. What is your opinion? I have a 40" LCD and that DTV picture is tack sharp, but Uverse is appealing. | |
| | caseywor
join:2004-04-19
Mobile, AL
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T Southeast
| Re: HD Picture IN all honesty, there is some truth to that. I have a 32" LCD and a 30" CRT HD wide screen, and I will say that I have noticed a minor difference in quality from DTV and U-Verse. In my case, it wasn't enough to be a deal breaker for me. On slow moving channels, like Fox News HD, Weather HD, etc, I notice no real difference. On some sporting and movies, I have noticed a slightly higher instance of pixelation. Not so much that it bothered me too bad, however, I won't rule out that some videophiles may object. Since I am a former DTV customer, I will say no one beats their HD quality, but for me, U-verse is a great fit. One other reason I am enjoying U-verse is we get a lot of rain in Mobile, AL because we are 20 miles from the Gulf. When it rains here, it can be heavy and last a while. I am enjoying not losing my TV signal in the rain. With DTV, even in heavy cloud cover, I found that the DTV HD PQ would begin to suffer fairly quickly. Some neighboring trees may have contributed, but with the rain we get here, that has a profound impact. However, on a sunny day, DTV HD PQ is rock solid. | |
|
DFWTex
@sbcglobal.net
| U-verse poor service We've had U-verse television and internet for a year now. The service has never operated well. It is better than our very poor Charter Cable, but that isn't much of a compliment. I would estimate that we've had over 30 service techs to our house in the last 12 months. The problems are the same as they have always been. Service outages that last from 30 seconds to five hours. No one has any idea of what is wrong. In addition, the service seems to slow down dramatically during peak hours, sometime to almost dial up speeds to load pages. The television picture freezes so often that we don't buy the premium movie packages. Too frustrating. We've had several new gateways, a couple of three dvr boxes, several sets of remotes and two complete rewires of the outside connections. The techs and phone folks are uniformly polite, but completely unable to solve the problem.
I'm on the phone now with the service line. Technician failed to show up for the third time this week. Service is deteriorating. I'm tired of being asked if I have received excellent service. Hard to remain polite. | |
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