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story category AT&T Aims Its PR Guns At Connecticut
Fires up unions, customers in legal skirmish
(old news - 12:13PM Thursday Oct 18 2007)
tags: legal · competition · coverage · business · telco · trouble · consumers · AT&T U-Verse
A federal judge says AT&T's U-Verse IPTV service is a cable service. AT&T says it's not, and therefore isn't subject to the same consumer protection and build-out rules as cable operators. Unless AT&T is given what they want, the company says they'll scrap U-Verse plans in Connecticut. The State Attorney General says the company is wasting time and "flagrantly breaking the law" in order to dodge consumer protections.

Click for full size
Unions this week jumped into the fight in support of AT&T, after AT&T informed them they could lay off 1,300 employees if the court ruling stands. AT&T is also enlisting the aid of their customers, sending them this e-mail claiming the State "is saying no to competition, consumer choice and progress."
Your choice and control is in jeopardy because the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) issued a ruling affecting AT&T's ability to continue providing our U-Verse service in Connecticut. The DPUC ruling says, in effect, that AT&T is not entitled to be a new video competitor under a new law designed to bring much needed video competition to the state. If this decision stands, the DPUC will have taken away from consumers the best alternative to cable TV.
Technically, that's misleading, given that AT&T could easily offer service under existing rules -- they simply don't like the financial requirement of mandated build-outs to ensure even service coverage. AT&T has also created this website that tells consumers that "interest groups and individuals supporting the incumbent cable companies" are trying to eliminate the consumer's right to choose.

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Forums » AT&T Aims Its PR Guns At Connecticut
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Post a:

anonone

@af.mil

Technically...

Technically they started u-verse deployment in CT with a favorable ruling from the DPUC.

Acere
Premium
join:2002-07-28
Miami

...

So yeah they are URGING the customers to complain so that said customers dont get CUSTOMER PROTECTION. Great idea, dumbasses.

Sr Tech
Premium
join:2003-01-19
New Fairfield, CT

Re: ...

Funny, sounds like ATT back to being GOD of the telco world.

Stop crying ATT and apply for your license, why should you be any different than the cable companies. TV is TV no matter how you pipe it to the house.

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: ...

said by Sr Tech See Profile :

TV is TV no matter how you pipe it to the house.
Satellite?

dispatcher21

join:2004-01-22
united state

Re: ...

Satellite doesnt impede upon the city right of way or use any extra services of the city.

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: ...

said by dispatcher21 See Profile :

Satellite doesnt impede upon the city right of way or use any extra services of the city.
Neither does U-Vers or FIOS. They bring telephone and internet. With U-Vers the wires are already in place.

In New Jersey we have a state wide TV franchise. Capping has stopped and prices are steady.
BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

said by Sr Tech See Profile :

Funny, sounds like ATT back to being GOD of the telco world.

Stop crying ATT and apply for your license, why should you be any different than the cable companies. TV is TV no matter how you pipe it to the house.
Except cable doesn't have to follow build out rules anywys.

The truth hurts

@sbc.com

Cable monopolies recieved exclusive franchise areas in exchange for buildout commitments over 30 years ago

A second provider into a market does not get an exclusive franchise area and needs to win customers from the incumbemnt cable companies.

The Connecticut legislature and Governor established the new Video law to encourage additional entrants into the competitive video market. There are less regulatory requirements becsause the new entrants do not get exclusive franchise areas

The Attorney General and DPUC have it all wrong
CT needs to encourage business expansion and competitive alternatives / not kill them

It is apparent from this thread that most people here do not think logically

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:

Re: ...

said by The truth hurts :



It is apparent from this thread that most people here do not think logically
Some do not think some are like you and have a financial interest.

know your facts

@snet.net
look at federal cabel law 1984, even electric companies are exempt from being cable company.

supernac

join:2003-03-26
Springfield, MO
You honestly think the state cares about "customer protection"? They want more money out of ATT, thats the real issue. How does limiting competition protect consumers??

TK Junk Mail
Go ahead, make my day
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Margate City, NJ
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: ...

said by supernac See Profile :

You honestly think the state cares about "customer protection"? They want more money out of ATT, thats the real issue. How does limiting competition protect consumers??
You got it right. The PUC decided to override the legislators and interpret the law against AT&T. They will lose in court, but that could take a year or more. In the meantime the PUC helps keep the cable monopoly in place and the payoff money they pay to towns flowing. The only losers will be the consumers who won't get a new competitor selling to them.
--
--
Internet News
My BLOG
My Web Page

morbo
Complete Your Transaction

join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs:

Re: ...

yes, what a loss to those consumers. half assed technology and the added benefit of being spying on by AT&T and the NSA. such a loss.
skrupowies

join:2002-08-22
Wallingford, CT
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse

said by Acere See Profile :

So yeah they are URGING the customers to complain so that said customers dont get CUSTOMER PROTECTION. Great idea, dumbasses.

Yup, and the so called "CUSTOMER PROTECTION" Comcrap customers get now provides what? Oh yeah, Comcrap STILL raises rates, on average, twice a year AND they STILL get crappy customer service. So yes, you are correct, they need the protection.
plat2on1

join:2002-08-21
Hopewell Junction, NY
clubs:

said by Acere See Profile :

So yeah they are URGING the customers to complain so that said customers dont get CUSTOMER PROTECTION. Great idea, dumbasses.
as if this hs anything to do with customer protection, this is all about money. uncle sam needs his cut
Kearnstd
Elf Wizard

join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ
you think the state cares about customers? they just want the money from Franchise Fees.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports
BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

said by Acere See Profile :

So yeah they are URGING the customers to complain so that said customers dont get CUSTOMER PROTECTION. Great idea, dumbasses.
Even better idea, pissing a company off so NO customers get the service.

woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA
·DSL EXTREME

pfftttt...

If ATT says it isn't after a Judge said it was, then just appeal it, or STFU and deal with it. What a bunch of crybabies. Now are the cablecos phone companies if they offer VOIP? Quid pro quo. Peace

PS remember it's only about the money
--
BlooMe
sm2016a

join:2004-03-02
Belleville, IL
·VoipYourLife
·Charter Pipeline

Re: pfftttt...

It is always about the money. They don't want to spend more than they think they have to. If they would have to build out to everyone it would cost a good amount more than them just cherry picking where they want to deploy their service. This is just AT&T thinking they own the world and can play by their own rules but that is nothing unusual from them. I hope they do have to apply for a license just like the judge said.

Alpine
Premium
join:2000-01-11
Atlanta, GA


edit:
October 18th, @02:08PM

Re: pfftttt...

Why? So consumers can have less choice for that much longer? I know the cool kids like to hate on AT&T and the incumbents, but think about it. How do those "consumer protections" really help people with, say, Comcast?

You talk about "cherry picking," but did you think that through either? Deployment has to start somewhere, and Economics 101 says to put it in the areas most likely to buy the service. Common sense, right?

And why would AT&T want to exclude people? Those are potential customers out there and they'll get to everyone eventually. But they have to start somewhere, and it should be up to them because they're a private company. Do you actually think that cable magically appeared to everyone at the same time years ago when it was being built out? Uhhh, no.

As for me, AT&T just finished my neighborhood's Uverse build out a couple of weeks ago in north Atlanta. I live in a nice area, but certainly not a million dollar home area. Since you say they're cherry-picking, where should they have built instead of my area?

Let me guess - your area...

Adam

quetwo
That VoIP Guy
Premium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI
·TDS

Re: pfftttt...

said by Alpine See Profile :

And why would AT&T want to exclude people? Those are potential customers out there and they'll get to everyone eventually. But they have to start somewhere, and it should be up to them because they're a private company. Do you actually think that cable magically appeared to everyone at the same time years ago when it was being built out? Uhhh, no.
Because it will cost money. AT&T has begun building in my area, but has excluded my neighborhood. Their lead engineer has told me directly that I shouldn't expect U-Verse to be deployed at all because it would cost too much, and they don't see the area as profitable.

AT&T response... Want the service, move to a $300,000+ house!

woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA
·DSL EXTREME

Re: pfftttt...

AT&T response... Want the service, move to a $300,000+ house!

Not bragging, but my house is worth 750-800 k and I guess my neighborhood doesn't qualify, as I can't get it here.
--
BlooMe

quetwo
That VoIP Guy
Premium
join:2004-09-04
East Lansing, MI

Re: pfftttt...

I'm talking in Michigan money, not California money :P A $300,000 house here is the equivelent to a $1.5 million house there.

woody7
Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA
·DSL EXTREME

Re: pfftttt...

That's my point, the median price in "Torrance" is -+ 500k and it isn't an option. There are even 1,000,000+ homes and they have no choice. It just isn't about the affluency of the neighborhood, it is also the competition. If there is competition of any kind they just don't want to build, they want exclusivity. Peace
--
BlooMe

jaa
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
New Canaan, CT
·Vonage
·Optimum Online

said by Alpine See Profile :

You talk about "cherry picking," but did you think that through either? Deployment has to start somewhere, and Economics 101 says to put it in the areas most likely to buy the service. Common sense, right?
No. They can start somewhere, but MUST commit to building out to the rest of the geography within a certain time period - just like every other cable TV operator.
--
NOTHING justifies terrorism. We don't negotiate with terrorists. Those that support terrorists are terrorists.
viperlmw
Premium
join:2005-01-25
·Qwest.net

said by woody7 See Profile :

If ATT says it isn't after a Judge said it was, then just appeal it, or STFU and deal with it. What a bunch of crybabies. Now are the cablecos phone companies if they offer VOIP? Quid pro quo. Peace
The FCC doesn't see it that way, as they have already ruled that VOIP is an 'information service', not telephony.

Rick
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT
clubs:

Folks..

this company is beyond belief in the way they operate.

The AG is right in what he's doing. The Federal court has spoken..and they're right as well.

This company simply does not know how to comply with the law.

Or doesn't want to.

The cable TV franchise laws say this.
If you operate a one way video service..you need to be licensed. This has never been about HOW the video is delivered..but what the service is in that regard.

There is no way..no how..AT&T and it's lawyers didn't know that was the law. And that they needed to comply.

Instead..they set out on a course of just doing it anyway..MEANWHILE..they pushed this statewide video law through..and AFTER they got shot down by the Federal court..turned to that instead.

Now that the DPUC has ruled that that dog just won't hunt..

they're crying out with all their might. We're LEAVING!
Call the COPS! round up the customers!

Well..guess what folks? We're surrounded by Verizon fios..OOL..and the 30Mb powerboost enabled Comcast service I currently received.

Can anyone say..who cares about your Uverse CRAP AT&T?

Your service is CRAP...with a capital C.

CRAP ...CRAP...CRAP.

In the face of what is happening here in New England.

You have been told by MANY here at BBR that you'd better get with the verizon program if you want to survive.
And that meant get licensed..and start the fiber rollout.

But no..you just don't listen to that advice either.

Well...now..the courts have spoken. And the AG is speaking.
And the DPUC has spoken.

Get back on the horse you rode in on..and get the he** out of here.

We just don't need you.
--
The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic!

supernac

join:2003-03-26
Springfield, MO

Re: Folks..

Do you work for comcrap?

meskinct
This space for rent
Premium
join:2002-01-07
Danbury, CT
clubs:

Re: Folks..

No. But he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Rick
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT
clubs:

Re: Folks..

said by meskinct See Profile :

No. But he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Actually, I'm leaving for a trip to Danbury in about 10 minutes. Can you put me up for the night?

As for what AT&T has done..let me summarize it another way.

They were caught driving in Ct. without a license..and even a simple read of the cable franchise laws would have told even a layperson that they should have been licensed under it.

They decided to not do it that way though. For the sake of time/expense..whatever...they went a different route.

They got sued....they lost.
Not in state court..but in Federal Court.
And that court wants to apparently hear no more from them either. The court probably thinks they're trying to make a mockery out of the system.

And, the ruling is that..yes..uverse is a cable tv service.
And yes..they do need to be licensed. Wow. What a revelation that must be to them and their attorneys.

But wait. There's more. So unsure of themselves were they a about what they were doing...that while all that was going on...they managed to get legislation passed for a mini video act of some sort. A statewide one.

And so, when all federal hope failed..they turned to the DPUC and said..hey..! Look! We got this new law here.
Approve us under this.

Guess what? The dpuc wants no part of that.

They were driving in Ct. without a license..BEFORE that law passed.

Let me ask you.
If you don't have a drivers license..get busted in this state..then a new..slimmed down version of how to get a license gets passed..does that mean that your original arrest shouldn't stand?

AT&T..give it up.
Call off your pit bulls.

Get licensed.
Get fiber to the home.

Become a respectable company.
--
The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic!

MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium
join:2005-03-14
League City, TX
clubs:
·Comcast

said by supernac See Profile :

Do you work for comcrap?
At the moment it does appear comcast is the lesser of two evils.
--
Team Discovery-Join the fight

supernac

join:2003-03-26
Springfield, MO

Re: Folks..

Why is that? You do understand that this is about money for the state right? Right now the state is in bed with comcrap, do you honestly think they didn't have a say in this. The only people that are losing here are customers, and the idea of CAPITALISIM.
notwrth10

join:2007-03-03
1001EB

said by supernac See Profile :

Do you work for comcrap?
Look at his posting history, that will tell you enough. he eve n had the guts to rub it in the Snet forum's faces too.

As if he isn't collecting a big paycheck now that this failed.

Hey rick, why don't you post what you just got paid with the failure?

What?!?!? can't publish 6 digits?
skrupowies

join:2002-08-22
Wallingford, CT
clubs:
·AT&T U-Verse

said by Rick See Profile :

Instead..they set out on a course of just doing it anyway..MEANWHILE..they pushed this statewide video law through..and AFTER they got shot down by the Federal court..turned to that instead.

Can anyone say..who cares about your Uverse CRAP AT&T?

Your service is CRAP...with a capital C.

CRAP ...CRAP...CRAP.


First of all, the new law was written SPECIFICALLY with companies like AT&T in mind and the DPUC has chosen to ignore that. In fact, a letter has been written to the DPUC from the authors of the law (State Senator John Fonfara and State Representative Steve Fontana) saying just that.

Second, HOW is the service CRAP? The picture quality is fantastic, so far the reliability has been 100% (for me, I can't speak for everyone), HD quality is great and internet is extremely reliable and consistent. Oh that's right, it's CRAP because it comes in on that nasty copper stuff. SO WHAT? It still works just fine. And I suppose it's still CRAP because it only offers 6Mb service. When will you understand that except for the very few BBR users the VAST MAJORITY of internet users don't need nor care about 6Mb internet? Even hard core gamers don't need 30Mb, all they need is low latency.

And I've read your ravings on DOCSIS 3.0 a thousand times and all that's going to do is offer higher speeds to people that don't need it nor care about it. All it will do is provide Comcast with one more way to justify yet ANOTHER rate increase.

See 7 replies to this post

john9

@bellsouth.net
hey rick, every time I read a post from you your powerboost grows logarithmically. Hahahaha, I know you hate at&t and love comcast, but KEEP IT REAL.
pabster

join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA

ATT. Your Monopoly. Delivered.

Ma Bell is back with a vengeance!

"We don't like the rules, we'll just walk all over them like we've been doing for 100+ years. We'd still have those fools renting telephones if those damn kids didn't foil us!"

See 10 replies to this post

Richard B
Fur It Up

join:2007-06-22
Portland, OR

Clerity Please

What are these rules that suppose to protect consumers. All I know is Connecticut licensing requirement is a leagalized protection racket.
u475700
Premium
join:2004-02-16
·VoicePulse
·Comcast

Why should AT&T have to abide by state regulations?

Why should any utility abide by the rules if AT&T doesn't? Yet, when local municipalities in Connecticut complained about the size and placement of the new boxes, AT&T claimed the company was exempt from local zoning under state utility regulations. I applaud the DUPC and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal for taking prompt action against AT&T for failing to comply.
b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?

join:2004-09-07
Bellingham, WA
·Comcast Formerly ..

As much as I hate to say it...

It's time for the government to get involved and straiten these companies out.

The delivery method or technology does not matter.

If you are delivering TV programming then you are a "cable" TV company.

If you are delivering phone service then you are a phone company.

If you are delivering internet service, then you are an Internet Service Provider.

This means the same laws (like build out requirements) that apply to Comcast apply to AT&T for for their TV service.

This means the same laws that apply to AT&T phone service (like uptime and 911) apply to Comcast VOIP.
jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04
USA


edit:
October 18th, @06:30PM

Re: As much as I hate to say it...

What if you're delivering video to a monitor? IS that a cable company? I don't think so.
What if you're delivering voice over IP? Is that a phone company? Nope.
What if you deliver data that happens to turn into voice or video? Is that an ISP? Well, it's an ISP and MORE.

The lines are very blurry.
I however think that AT&T UVerse is crap too. 1 HD stream sucks. Also, many of us have multiple devices in uses at the home which required higher than 6MBPS down speeds. Xbox360 and two computers at the same time running will bog that down.
b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?

join:2004-09-07
Bellingham, WA
·Comcast Formerly ..


edit:
October 19th, @10:45AM

Re: As much as I hate to say it...

said by jjeffeory See Profile :

What if you're delivering video to a monitor? IS that a cable company? I don't think so.
No the lines are not blurry. The point here is the delivery method or technology is meaningless in this context.

If you are delivering television programming, no matter if its by coaxial, fiber optics, or carrier pigeon, you are a "cable TV" provider.

Granted "cable TV" is an antiquated term and a new more broad name or classification like Video Service Provider (VSP) is needed.
said by jjeffeory See Profile :

What if you're delivering voice over IP? Is that a phone company? Nope.
Yes it is, again it's not the delivery media or technology that matters only the end service or product.

said by jjeffeory See Profile :

What if you deliver data that happens to turn into voice or video? Is that an ISP? Well, it's an ISP and MORE.
If it is voice or video that can only be accessed on your computer then you are an ISP, but if it can be watched on a TV (or video monitor) using a dedicated stand alone box (not a computer) then it is a Video Service and you are a VSP.
Kearnstd
Elf Wizard

join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

even if you invent some new term like Video Service Provider, people will call TV that comes over a wire cable and they will think it should be regulated just the same as comcast.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports
b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?

join:2004-09-07
Bellingham, WA
·Comcast Formerly ..

Re: As much as I hate to say it...

said by Kearnstd See Profile :

even if you invent some new term like Video Service Provider, people will call TV that comes over a wire cable and they will think it should be regulated just the same as comcast.
That's exactly my point, but AT&T is basically saying "Even if we do deliver the exact same service. We don't use coaxial cable, so we are not a "cable TV" company, so the laws that apply to cable TV companies do not apply to us.
phatness

join:2002-07-02
Old Greenwich, CT
clubs:

Well stay out of Connecticut

How can I be elite with a 6 Mbps downstream?

...what are they talking about, they don't even count as competition.

Verizon FIOS might be worth considering, but no thanks AT&T.

ieolus
Support The Clecs

join:2001-06-19
Duluth, GA

Re: Well stay out of Connecticut

Growing up in Stamford I noticed that Greenwich was served by Nynex (now Verizon).. is that not the case anymore? Can't you get FIOS?
--
"Speak for yourself "Chadmaster" - lesopp

Tsume
My little Toby.

join:2004-02-23
Winter Park, FL

Lol!

Lol @ Mom!.jpg

jaa
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
New Canaan, CT

Uverse is an excellent offering

for 1997. By 2007 standards, it is a joke.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

Surprise... who didn't see this coming...

... as stated in earlier threads:

»Re: AT&T pulling the plug on Uverse in Ct.
robct
rob

join:2004-04-09
Waterbury, CT

ATT is a joke.

ATT is horrible. Where I live, they've been walking door to door with flyers trying to get all of us to switch to them. Sadly, most of my neighbors switched to them saying they got a "great deal". Too bad they weren't mentioned on how you can only watch one HD channel at a time.

And don't get me started on the speed: 5.5Mbps in 2007 is an absolute joke.

Trumbull CT

@snet.net

Cable Francise Fees are Stupid waste of My money

Hopefully AT&T will not pay the stupid franchise fees. The fee is just pasted along to the customer, the corporations don't take it out of there pockets, but yours. The public access channels are silly and I never watch them. YouTube provides better and more entertaining public access! I don't care if AT&T cherry picks as some like to say, because any completion is welcomed against monopoly cable TV companies.
Forums » AT&T Aims Its PR Guns At Connecticut


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