AT&T to expand TV services in Toledo
Written by Duane Ramsey | | news@toledofreepress.com
Michael Kehoe
AT&T plans to introduce U-verse TV in the Toledo market by the end of this year.
The company’s Internet Protocol-based television (IP) has redefined the television experience for consumers, according to Michael Kehoe, vice president of external affairs for AT&T in Ohio. It uses a 100 percent digital platform that enables innovative new features and provides a desired alternative to cable services, he said.
Kehoe visited the Toledo AT&T office during the week of Oct. 5 to discuss expansion plans. The company will begin installing the equipment required to provide the IP-based television service that is delivered by a 25-megabit circuit.
Toledo will join about 30 markets across the United States where U-verse is marketed. It is available to 600,000 residences in parts of Ohio communities in Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus and Dayton.
Legislation passed in Ohio in 2007 allows regulatory parity so companies, such as AT&T, can offer consumers more choices in a variety of communications, according to Kehoe. Senate Bill 117 reformed Ohio’s video franchising system, bringing the benefits of competition to consumers, establishing uniform industry standards and encouraging new investments.
As a result of that legislation, AT&T is fulfilling its commitment to invest $500 million in infrastructure improvements in Ohio over the next three to four years. Some of that investment will be made to offer U-verse in the Toledo market starting as low as $44 per month.
“U-verse TV also requires enhancing our infrastructure in-house so people will be more inclined to stay with AT&T, Kehoe said.
“It’s all about bundling services today. Consumers will save dollars when services are bundled over traditional methods.”
Earlier this year, AT&T introduced U-verse Voice, the next-generation digital voice service delivered over its IP network. U-verse Voice allows the company to offer home phone, wireless, broadband and TV services all on one bill.
Kehoe said the new wireless phone service will help cover the loss of land lines.
AT&T estimates that at least 470 new jobs were created at the company for upgrading the network required to provide the new television and voice services in Ohio.
Kehoe said AT&T has lost some market share to companies offering telephone service via cable or the Internet. He said AT&T will exit the pay phone business later this year due to wider use of cell phones; however, AT&T’s wireless and high-speed Internet business continues to grow and expects to add more customers, according to Kehoe.
In order to reach customers easily, AT&T opened a new kiosk store located in the Westfield Franklin Park Mall. The grand opening is Oct. 18.
AT&T fast facts
- AT&T’s Toledo operations employ about 250 people.
- In 2007, AT&T companies employed more than 10,500 people in Ohio with a payroll of $923 million and $293 million in taxes paid.
- AT&T had 549,000 U-verse customers at the end of the second quarter and expects to reach 1 million by the end of 2008 with $7 to $8 billion in capital investment nationally.
