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AT&T Trumpets New TV Service

Is It Really An End Run Around Net Neutrality?

By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 13, 2006

Net Neutrality • Internet Providers Ponder Bandwidth Limits For Heavy Users • Comcast, Cox Caught Blocking BitTorrent • Will Antitrust Law Save Net Neutrality? • Few Are Neutral in Net Neutrality Battles • Net Neutrality Supporters Testify • Comcast Blocks Public From FCC Hearing • Congress Gets Net Neutrality Legislation • Time Warner To Test Metered Pricing For Broadband • House Committee To Probe FCC • FCC To Investigate Comcast For Blocking Net Traffic • Verizon Wireless Opens Network to All Devices, Software • Comcast Sued Over Internet Blocking • Verizon Overrides Internet Searches With Its Own Results • Comcast Blocks Subscribers From Some Services • Verizon's Abortion Block Raises Net Neutrality Concerns • FTC Nixes Net Neutrality • Wireless Spectrum May Hold Key To Net Neutrality • Telcos Lift Block On FreeConference.Com • FCC Takes Another Look at Net Neutrality • AT&T Blocks Calls To Competing Conference Call Service • Study: Ending Net Neutrality Would Hurt Consumers • FCC, FTC Challenged To Protect Net Neutrality • Net Neutrality Back on Congress' Agenda • Net Neutrality Opponents Step Up PR Blitz • AT&T Trumpets New TV Service • Verizon Joins BellSouth in Retreat From Unexplained New DSL Fee • FCC Nudges BellSouth Into Giving Up New DSL Fees • FTC Head Urges "Caution" On Net Neutrality • Net Neutrality May Derail Telecom Bill • Google: No Net Neutrality Means Antitrust Fight • Senate Prepares for Net Neutrality Showdown • Congress Moves Quickly To Satisfy Telecoms' Net Neutrality, Cable Entry Demands • Net Neutrality Gets Its Day In Congress • Net Neutrality Wins Committee Vote In Congress • Net Neutrality Attracts Surprising Allies • Congress Wrestles with Net Neutrality

AT&T says its broadband DSL customers will be able to watch live TV on their computers for an additional $20 a month. Critics say it's a back-door way to slam the door on Internet neutrality.

The company says consumers will receive 20 cable channels on their Internet-connected computers, whether they are at home or on the road. AT&T has been among the telecom giants pushing hard to keep net neutrality out of legislation now pending in Congress.

"No one gets a free ride," AT&T chieftain Ed Whitacre said in a recent speech to the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. "The American economy doesn't work that way. . . .We are not going to build this with no chance for a return. Those that want to use this will pay."

It wasn't clear what "this" Whitacre was referring to but he has long argued that Internet users and content providers should pay extra for guaranteed access to video and other bandwidth-hogging material.

The company says the service will be available to all broadband customers, including AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet and AT&T WorldNet subscribers. The browser-based service, which will be called AT&T Broadband TV, will enable subscribers to use a computer to access a wealth of live programming while at home, at work, or on the go using wired and wireless broadband technologies.

AT&T said it is the first U.S. broadband provider to offer a live TV subscription service with MobiTV to consumers through any broadband connection. The service expands upon an earlier agreement that enables AT&T to offer MobiTV to customers who use thousands of AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots.

The AT&T Broadband TV service will initially have approximately 20 channels of live and made-for-broadband television content spanning national news, sports, entertainment and full-length music videos. Among the channels included in the initial channel lineup is Fox News, Bloomberg, Oxygen, History Channel, Comedy Time, Toonworld, Maxx Sports and the Weather Channel.

AT&T said the browser-based service features desktop integration for easy access, fast channel-changing, full-screen functionality and high quality video playback. Subscribers will be able to access AT&T Broadband TV through a hyperlink or desktop shortcut. After the initial introduction period, the company said it plans to add channels to the line up.

"The AT&T Broadband TV service offers our customers the ability to watch live television programming beyond the TV screen, increasing our capabilities to provide compelling content to consumers who are seeking information and entertainment when, where and on the device they desire," said Scott Helbing, executive vice president, AT&T Entertainment Services.

AT&T says it currently serves 7.8 million DSL customers.

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