FAQ’s on U-Verse Service
A third choice is now available in many areas of the country when it comes to cable TV. While in the past you either had to go with whatever local cable company was in the area, or one of the satellite providers, now you may be able to get AT&T U-verse services in your neighborhood.Let’s look at a few of the FAQ’s on AT&T U-verse.
Does AT&T U-verse require a satellite dish to be installed?
No. AT&T is deploying fiber to the node, or FTTN technology to most of the major areas it serves. This fiber is deployed to a large serving terminal in each area, then the existing copper lines deliver the signal the rest of the way to your home. No satellite dish is needed, only the necessary receiving equipment is needed inside. So U-verse is actually more like cable TV than satellite. Sign up for the AT&T digital video recorder and your entertainment setup is just like cable TV
What kind of specials is AT&T offering with U-verse?
These of course change from time to time.Current deals generally match what cable TV companies offer for triple play bundles of voice, video and high speed internet. Usually, you can get all of these services for about 0 a month for the first year. Sometimes the promotional price can go for as long as a year, but check with AT&T for the current offer.
How quick is the AT&T U-verse download speed?
There are several levels of service. The slowest level from AT&T is the U-verse Express, which is 1.5 Mbps, and the highest is the Max18 service, which tops out at 18 Mbps, great for downloading video content. As you probably expect AT&T U-verse rates differ based on the level of service.
What are some of the features of the digital home phone service?
The AT&T Voice unlimited plans include all of the local and long distance calling. Other features include voice mail, call waiting and call forwarding service. So if AT&T is your local phone company, a quick internet search or phone call can alert you to the availability of U-verse. If it is not yet available, you can still bundle your video service with AT&T with one of their Direct TV deals.
Answers on NFL Sunday Ticket
The National Football League season is fast approaching, and that means a financial decision is in order for many bigtime NFL fans. No I’m not referring to those who buy season tickets for their favorite team. This is the time of year that many have to figure out whether the NFL Sunday Ticket package is in their budget. Lets take a look at a few of the frequently asked questions about this popular package.
Is the NFL Sunday Ticket available on Comcast or Time Warner cable?
No. This package remains an exclusive of Direct TV. In fact, the contract to carry the NFL package has been renewed by the NFL and Direct TV, meaning you will only get full access on satellite TV through the year 2014. There is some hope that the Red Zone channel may be available to cable TV companies and Dish Network, but it won’t be happening in the 2009 season.
How much is the package going to cost this year?
At this time, early bird customers can get the NFL bundle for 9.95, or five payments of $55.99. The regular price is expected to be $300 for the full season.
Are all of the games going to be in HD?
Only if you subscribe to the Superfan bundle in addition to Sunday Ticket. Superfan is 0, or five payments on your Direct TV billing statement. It will provide HD access, as well as the Red Zone channel and SuperCast access which will allow you to stream the games to your computer or cell phone.
How will I know what games are included?
The NFL package will show you all of the games that are not on regular network or cable TV. This means all of the early and late games on Sunday. The Monday Night Football game and the Sunday evening games will continue to be on ESPN and NBC respectively.
So is the Direct TV NFL Sunday Ticket package in your budget this year? With costs nearing 0 for Sunday Ticket games in HD, it certainly is a decision that you shouldn’t rush to make.
Dish Network vs Cable Televsion
When looking for a good deal on home entertainment, you probably are looking at either satellite TV or cable television service. While you usually only have one cable company to pick from, with satellite TV you have two choices, DirecTV and Dish Network. Lets briefly compare Dish Network vs cable service.
Satellite television service has now been available for more than 19 years. Incredibly, cable TV has now been around about 40 years in most areas. With cable TV, you usually have higher rates, as they have a last mile network to maintain. Dish Network is probably the cheapest pay television option. Their subscription rates are even lower than Direct TV. Another plus when reviewing cable TV vs Dish Network satellite TV.
With Dish Network, you have to have a place to mount a satellite dish. If you live in an apartment, this can be an issue. Many have resolved this issue by putting a satellite stand on their patio, as long as it has a southern exposure. Cable television of course has a last mile network running into almost every apartment building served in the area, so that may be your only choice if you live in an apartment.
Digital video recorders have become extremely popular over the past few years, and both cable TV companies and Dish TV offer this service. Reviews of the Dish DVR though are much higher then the DVR’s used by cable operators. In addition, Dish TV charges much less then your cable company for DVR service, sometimes by as much as $10 a month.
When it comes to HD, or high definition content you definitely need to check with your local cable company to see how many channels they offer. The number can be quite different based on who your cable TV provider happens to be. Dish Network does offer over 100 HD channels, but you do have an extra $10 a month charge, while most cable companies do not charge extra for their HD content.
In conclusion, pros and cons exist with both cable television and Dish Network satellite TV. Fully evaluating your choice beforehand will insure you are happy and satisfied with your service later on.