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story category Will Economy Slow AT&T U-Verse Deployment?
Wall Street thinks they'll miss one million customer target....
(old news - 04:25PM Friday Oct 10 2008)
tags: dsl · business · telco · install
In the face of a sluggish economy, some Wall Street analysts are predicting that AT&T will miss their target of a million U-Verse customers installed by the end of the year. In a note to investors, Daniel Amir, a director and semiconductor analyst at Lazard Capital Markets, says the firm is "increasingly concerned by the possibility of AT&T missing its annual projection of 1M subs, and believe that unit expectations will need to be reduced further in light of the macroeconomic environment." AT&T had signed up 549,000 new customers as of the end of the second quarter, and will report on third quarter additions October 22.

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Forums » Will Economy Slow AT&T U-Verse Deployment?
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ

Wall st analysts predict - isn't that an oxymoron

Given Wall St analysts success of late, I wouldn't put a whole lot of trust in their prediction. After the 3rd qtr #'s are in on OCT 22, a better guess would be more likely.

Camelot One
Premium,MVM
join:2001-11-21
Sarasota, FL
clubs:

Re: Wall st analysts predict - isn't that an oxymoron

At this point I have more faith in the "flip the coin" prediction method than I do in Wall Street "experts".

But given the recent trend, doom and gloom predictions are probably the safe bet.
--
Intel Q6600 @3400Mhz/GA-EP35-DS3P/2x 2048Mb G.Skill/Seagate 750.10/EVGA 8800GT's SLI/Silverstone 850W/Custom water cooler

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
If anything can be 'predicted', it would be slower rate of adoption of Uverse.
--
Canada = Hollywood North
blips

join:2001-04-17
Addison, IL

1 edit

Speed it up?

Maybe it should speed them up. As people cut cost they might decide that their cell phones are all they need and start cutting their land lines to cut down their month expenses. They need U-verse to keep these customers for defecting.

djrobx

join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
·PHONE POWER
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T CallVantage
·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable


1 edit

Re: Speed it up?

quote:
Maybe it should speed them up. As people cut cost they might decide that their cell phones are all they need and start cutting their land lines to cut down their month expenses.
That's what I was thinking. U-verse offers the best sign-up promo I've ever seen. They'll give you a $200 check within 60 days, plus a free month of TV just to give it a try without commitment. So they're essentially paying you for the first couple months.

When there's an enconomic downturn, people can't afford to go out and do things. So they turn to less expensive in-home entertainment options. When you look at the more "loaded" TV packages, U-verse offers a much better value than a lot of cable companies.

Plus, people feeling a pinch are more likely to forgive U-verse's technical limitations in favor of a good value.
--
AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME

Re: Speed it up?

I'd like to see AT&T's adoption rate with POTS numbers in SoCal. I wonder how many have kept the landline, and how many have gone elsewhere (VoIP Vonage, T-Mobile @home, and Call Vantage which is no longer taking orders)
--
Canada = Hollywood North
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
AT&T as a whole is paying for customers. I recently signed up with local phone and DSL and AT&T gave me $175 for signing up and switching from cable. I only have to give 30 days and then I can drop service if I choose.

maartena
Stacked.
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
·RoadRunner Cable

said by blips See Profile :

Maybe it should speed them up. As people cut cost they might decide that their cell phones are all they need and start cutting their land lines to cut down their month expenses. They need U-verse to keep these customers for defecting.
That's one reason for me NOT to switch to AT&T. I am actually impressed by their TV setup, I have seen it at a friends house and it seems to work really well, and they offer 2 HD streams now which is what I would need with my HDTV (recording 2 HD shows at once).

But the Internet side of it blows. I have 15/2 from RoadRunner (15/2 within the next month anyways, now 10/1) and U-Verse offers a maximum of 10/1.5, and that's it.

I also receive a $5 discount on my internet for having digital cable, so if I decide to keep RoadRunner, my monthly bill for internet will increase with $5.

Until they offer something better on the speed side, i most likely won't switch to U-Verse.

contrary

@wayport.net

Slow economy should speed UVerse customer growth

The people I know who are switching to UVerse are switching away from Comcast and Time Warner cableTV/Internet, and they are saving money while getting more TV channels. Plus their Internet connections are much more reliable and consistent. So, in an economy in which people want more bang for their buck, AT&T should do well.

en102
Canadian, eh?

join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME


1 edit

Re: Slow economy should speed UVerse customer growth

It would all depend on the deal.
AT&T is matching 'basic' TWC plans.. sort of.

AT&T: $90/month gives you (first year)
1 STB and Uverse (U100)
1 VoIP unlimited (where available )
1 3Mbps/1Mbps connection

TWC: $90/month gives you (first year)
1 Digital TV package (choice or variety)
1 VoIP unlimited
1 HSI 6Mbps/512kbps
and standard analog cable for all other TVs.

Problem for me...
- 1 TV only
- Uverse VoIP doesn't exist in the Los Angeles area
--
Canada = Hollywood North

C0deZer0
Oc'D To Rhythm And Police
Premium
join:2001-10-03
Davenport, FL
·Verizon FIOS

New Generation would rather cut TV than i-net

Simply, with newer generation customers (GenX/Y/Next), U-Verse for internet would be a more valuable incentive for these people than classical TV and landline services.

Right now, if it were up to me, I would cut the landline and TV and just keep internet and cell phone service as my necessity utilities. I hardly watch much TV at all anymore, and the landline effectively collects dust with few minor exceptions. If not for all the freebies that Verizon here tossed in to get us to keep it, I definitely think the roomies and I would have come to a consensus of getting rid of it altogether and sticking with our mobile phones.

I can't imagine it'd be that much different for "new generation" customers who live in areas primarily serviced by AT&T.
--
Front Line Force Fortress Forever

djrobx

join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
·PHONE POWER
·AT&T U-Verse
·AT&T CallVantage
·Time Warner VOIP
·RoadRunner Cable


1 edit

Re: New Generation would rather cut TV than i-net

Interestingly, AT&T doesn't push voice services very hard with U-verse. They still haven't even bothered to start offering U-voice here in Los Angeles. During my entire setup process, AT&T never once tried to push me to sign up for their POTS services. They're quite content to sell just TV and internet. There isn't even a bundle incentive to go with U-voice.

What you describe with ditching TV service altogether will work for singles, but not so much for families. Unless there's a smarty in the bunch that's going to hook a PC up to a TV and diligently download shows/movies, less tech savvy groups will still find TV service to be a good value so they can easily enjoy shows together.

Digital OTA might work for some, though.
--
AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
morgan1112

join:2003-04-07
Round Rock, TX

What?

The only reason why AT&T would miss this target is because of internal problems associated with installing the services. Based on my experience, installation takes forever and its not because of the installers. Most of their time was spent on the phone with someone in the back office. In most cases U-verse prices beat competitors. Who does not want to get paid $200 to switch providers? Seems to me that folks would be more interested in lowering their bills in a down economy.
JSRoman
Premium
join:2005-03-10
Callahan, FL

AT&T won't hit their numbers.

Lots of pain coming in next couple of weeks.
--
»www.seabee.navy.mil
iampedro

join:2005-02-12
Houston, TX

Re: AT&T won't hit their numbers.

I sure hope not b/c I am looking iampedro to having this for my house...

maartena
Stacked.
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
·RoadRunner Cable

It's the economy, stupid!

I wouldn't be surprised if ALL companies who had plans laid out for this year would have to put some of them on hold. Although the technology sector isn't hit as hard as the financial one, people aren't spending the same kind of money anymore on TV and Internet connections, and people who are moving out of their foreclosure into a rental may be happy with just broadcast TV and a cheap $19.95 DSL for the time being.

No matter how you look at this crisis, it WILL hit everyone in some way or another, and every major corporation will see decreased profits, and what seemed like a sound investment 6 months ago, may not be so profitable currently, especially if U-Verse was scheduled to roll out in an area with many medium to medium-low incomes, who would have been able to afford it 2 years ago, but may not be so willing to spend that kind of money now.

As for missing the target, you can provision an area for U-verse, but that does not mean you are going to sell any subscriptions. And my guess is that even if their rollout plan sticks, they may not sell as much subscriptions as previously predicted.
--
Obama 2008 - Because McCain is more of the same!
decifal

join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

Yeah.. I'm pretty much going to be on ISDN until the economy "really" recovers, and even then wimax will be more likely to be placed here due to unknown reasons.....

DrModem
Premium
join:2006-10-19
USA
·EarthLink
·1and1
·PeoplePC

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

said by decifal See Profile :

Yeah.. I'm pretty much going to be on ISDN until the economy "really" recovers, and even then wimax will be more likely to be placed here due to unknown reasons.....
I don't think you want ISDN. With Verizon I had to pay $50/month for the line and 2 cents per minute connected.

But at least it was better than the only other option, dialup.
decifal

join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

I have it through ATT, its about $44 a month plus my isp for 128k isdn is 18.95... its all I can get thats reliable for gaming.. Evdo just didn't cut it for my wow account... So i'm on isdn till I die I guess..

maartena
Stacked.
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Orange, CA
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

said by decifal See Profile :

So i'm on isdn till I die I guess..
Or till you move to a city with cheap broadband.
decifal

join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

said by maartena See Profile :

said by decifal See Profile :

So i'm on isdn till I die I guess..
Or till you move to a city with cheap broadband.
If everyone that wanted broadband had to move to the city, the city would be come soo over crowded it would be like mini chinas everywhere.. I don't live in a rural area, its just one of those areas that hasn't been upgraded "yet" ... I've seen lesser populated areas upgraded probably due to some sorta cost effectiveness..

To me personally, no option is great if theres a range limitation of 5 miles etc.. Isdn, no limitation, however... Its speed isn't what you would call "broad"
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

Tennessee is one of the few places that requires ISDN to be available everywhere where POTS is and with similar price, its in the state tarrifs, so the ILEC can't get around it. Its TN attempt at universal broadband circa 1994 :-D
decifal

join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

said by patcat88 See Profile :

Tennessee is one of the few places that requires ISDN to be available everywhere where POTS is and with similar price, its in the state tarrifs, so the ILEC can't get around it. Its TN attempt at universal broadband circa 1994 :-D
God where in the hell are these people that managed to get this passed in 94? I want em to do the same for at least 1.5mbps dsl!!! Not going to happen, but let a fella dream, k?
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY


1 edit

Re: It's the economy, stupid!

said by decifal See Profile :

said by patcat88 See Profile :

Tennessee is one of the few places that requires ISDN to be available everywhere where POTS is and with similar price, its in the state tarrifs, so the ILEC can't get around it. Its TN attempt at universal broadband circa 1994 :-D
God where in the hell are these people that managed to get this passed in 94? I want em to do the same for at least 1.5mbps dsl!!! Not going to happen, but let a fella dream, k?
BTW, IDSN has the same distence limitation as DSL, 18000 feet. Adtran extended reach can do 23000 feet, anything more requires repeaters in the field (they can be line powered) or fiber. Remember ISDN is a seriously neutered T1 line.

Edit:
quote:
Q. Why is it less expensive in Tennessee?

A.

The residential rate for ISDN in Tennessee is approximately $20. This is because ISDN is part of a larger technology program specific to Tennessee where a "pool" of funds has been set aside to assist (or supplement) customer rates on certain technology (which includes ISDN). This rate has been set independent of the cost associated with providing ISDN and can exist only because the technology program covers the remaining costs.
source: »www.bellsouth.com/smallbusiness/···aqs.html

oolisfast

@optonline.net

said by maartena See Profile :

foreclosure into a rental may be happy with just broadcast TV and a cheap $19.95 DSL for the time being.
I used to think the way you did, about 5 years ago, i had to sell my home and rent. Truth is, while the DSL is nice for mixed media, try watching just a non HD movie on one computer and your lucky others in the house can just bring up webpages. I took kindof that route but it gets boring, so i got a dvd player and started to watch movies, renting them through Netflix. Not before long, i caved in and got cable, I thought I would find it a ripoff but I am so glad I went back to it. My deal is the triplay and 2 dvd's a month netflix, a nice mix to keep from getting bored.

I was still bored, my sister had cable at the time in her nearby apartment and one of the things I have come to find about cable is that there really is plenty to watch, cable & internet together really fill in that void. Rentals are good but predictable, another words, after that 2 hrs is up on the movie its not let me change the channel and cable guides me, its hmmm, what do i watch now, i've already seen this, and this, and this.

It's hard to express

spg
Grrrr

join:2001-10-31
NOT Texas!

Puhlease...

I think the better question is what WON'T be affected by the economy?

People are going to try to figure out ways to feed their kids. Phones, TV, internet are going to be the LEAST of their worries.

Companies that won't be laying off will certainly not be hiring. Combine that with people who will be delaying their retirement because of the market and we're going to have high unemployment for some time.

Unemployment = beans & macaroni&cheese, not steak.

moby866
Premium
join:2000-10-07
Above you
·surpasshosting
·RoadRunner Cable
·Vonage
·CableOne

Even though I am not saving a dime

In fact I could save a few dollars a month by switching to U-verse, as long as I don't mind losing 60%+ of my internet speed, having my information handed over no questions asked to the government and not getting anything really innovative.
--
If we do not succeed, then we run the risk of failure - J. Danforth Quayle
Ich habe kein Mitleid - Me

gdm
Premium,MVM
join:2001-06-15
Mchenry, IL
clubs:

Re: Even though I am not saving a dime

You really think any of the other ISP's aren't handing information over? The reason everyone is pissed with ATT is they got caught. What if it was Verizon, TW or Comcast?

Don't think your information isn't being handed over...

gex0r

@sbcglobal.net

Re: Even though I am not saving a dime

Comcast has been monitoring and turning over information about the content of downloads since at least 2003 to mpaa and riaa. It was stated in the fine print of contract I signed back in the day for my cable internet.. once I finally read it, I was like: WTF? and ditched them immediately. Unfortunately, in this day and age, and because of the patriot act, "they" can monitor anyone at any time for any reason, and just say it's national security.

runner

@sbcglobal.net

dsl

when your other option is Charter, UVerse is a great choice.
The internet speed is pretty much rock solid, unlike my prior cable connection which was never consistant at all. TV quality is much better as well. No need for telephone, i use my mobile for everything.
Forums » Will Economy Slow AT&T U-Verse Deployment?


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