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AT&T Launches IPTV Service in TexasTMCnet Associate Editor
AT&T has reportedly launched its new Internet-based TV service in San Antonio, Texas – home of the company’s headquarters. The new service, which is delivered via IP technology, boasts 200 channels, including HBO, MTV, ESPN, Discovery Channel and A&E, along with all three major broadcast networks. It also offers several hours of on-demand programming. AT&T, formerly SBC Communications, has been developing its new IPTV service for more than a year. For now, it is only offering the service to a limited number of customers, as it continues to complete refinements. Although many of the features which the new service will offer are not yet available, the company has made it clear that it plans to roll it out a little at a time, while it continues to make improvements. According to company officials, the new service differs from the TV service already available from cable companies. One difference is that it offers fast channel changes, so that when viewers flip through channels, there is no lag. This is a common problem with many digital cable TV systems. The service also offers picture-in-picture channel surfing, so that viewers can continue watching their current show while getting a glimpse of what is available on other channels. According to a company news release, AT&T plans to add more channels and features to the service when it is launched more widely in the middle of 2006. Some of the new features include high-definition programming and home digital video recording that will allow shows recorded on a digital video recorder to be shown on televisions throughout the house. AT&T announced the launch of its new IPTV service on the same day that Verizon Communications, which offers TV service over its fiber-to-the-home network, announced the expansion of its FiOS TV service to seven more communities in Texas. Verizon introduced its FiOS TV in Keller, Texas, in September, and has been adding service in other states, including Virginia and Florida, ever since. Verizon said it expects to announce the introduction of FiOS TV in parts of New York, California and Massachusetts later this month. One of the primary differences between the two services is that FiOS TV is delivered via fiber-to-the-home, whereas AT&T is extending fiber only to nodes which are close to homes (also known as “fiber-to-the-curb”). Because it has limited bandwidth to devote to its video service, AT&T is delivering it using IP technology. Even though AT&T’s service costs much less to deploy, its network is riskier from a technology perspective because it uses new and evolving technology. Many experts agree that eventually all TV networks will use IP to provide more interactive content, which means all eyes will be on AT&T as it expands its service later this year. Patrick Barnard is Associate Editor for TMCnet and a columnist covering the telecom industry. To see more of his articles, please visit Patrick Barnard’s columnist page. |