 ILpt4UPremium
join:2006-11-12
Lisle, IL
kudos:4
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·AT&T Yahoo
1 edit | Union is why Internet Only U-Verse is limited... The various union contracts are why U-Verse TV MUST be bundled with U-Verse Internet at ordering time (unless you are in a ADSL "Red" zone (unable to get Vanilla DSL, or are in FTTH areas), but U-Verse TV DOES NOT have to be bundled with U-Verse Internet.
U-Verse Installation Techs (Prem Techs) are on a lower pay scale (comparable pay to cable TV installers, as Prem Techs are considered a Video Service installer) than traditional DSL techs who are legacy phone tech employees, and therefore are paid as phone techs (I&R Techs) (Disclaimer -- the various union contracts are public forum available on the internet). DSL Techs have their job of providing DSL Internet services protected by the union. DSL Techs install ADSL internet, not U-Verse (VDSL). U-Verse Prem Techs are responsible for U-Verse jobs.
If U-Verse techs were installing Internet Only U-Verse where regular ADSL is "green" (available), they would be taking work away from their union brothers and sisters who are DSL Techs, and doing it at a much lower pay rate. That is why it is not happening. It has nothing to do with AT&T wanting to bundle you. Of course, you can do Internet only in ADSL "red" zones, because you are taking no work away from a Union brother/sister, when his/her work cannot be done there, anyway, because that service is not available! Same with FTTH.
So that is why you have to jump thru the hoop of ordering both TV and Internet (which is video and related services) via U-Verse, have both installed, and then can cancel the TV to keep the U-Verse Internet.
The moral of this story: The U-Verse Prem Tech job is more on par with the DSL Techs and Phone I&R Techs than regular cable TV installers, and the pay and job description should be adjusted appropriately. If/When this happens, U-Verse Internet only will then become broadly available (that is my prediction). Most of the legacy SBC and BellSouth Union contracts run out at various times in 2009, so some time next year, we will see what happens with all of this... |
