Another choice is now available in many areas of the country when it comes to cable television. While in the past you either had to go with whatever local cable company was in the area, or one of the satellite companies, 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?

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 than satellite TV.

What kind of specials is AT&T giving with Uverse service?

These of course switched from time to time.Current offers generally match what cable television 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 internet speed?

There are several different 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 reaches up to 18 Mbps, great for downloading movies or even video conferencing.  As you can imagine AT&T U-verse prices vary 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 three way calling, call forwarding and caller ID 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.

If you are looking for a reliable pay television provider, Dish Network and AT&T are certainly ready to take your money. While Dish Network has been around for years, AT&T U-verse is a service still in its infancy. How do these two companies stack up when doing a side by side comparison?

With Dish Network, the first requirement is that you have a clear view of the southern sky, as the installer will need to mount a satellite dish on or near your home for reception. This eliminates the possibility of even getting satellite TV for some customers. AT&T U-verse also has service limitations. The telephone company network is being upgraded one area at a time so that this service can reach the homes and apartments of those served by AT&T.

Now if you actually have the option of choosing from either one of these services, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Dish TV service generally requires a two year service commitment, while U-verse is not currently a contract service. If you are moving in the near future, you may want to stay away from satellite TV unless you know you will be able to have it at your new home.
• While Dish Network only offers video packages, U-verse offers voice and high speed internet service as well. If you are in the market for a total communications packages, then going with the phone company may be the better choice.
• When comparing pricing and programming, Dish Network is a little less than U-verse service. For those on a tight budget these days, going with satellite TV may save you $115 or more per year compared to U-verse bundles.

Both companies offer free installation, and you can also find great discounts if you are new to either company. Making a few phone calls to get exact quotes and doing a bit of internet research will insure you make the right choice for you and your family.