AT&T U-verse rolls into Chicago

AT&T remains committed to its aggressive IPTV roll out and this week comes to Chicago for its biggest ever deployment and remains on track to hit one million users by the end of the year. The launch of the U-verse TV service in parts of 175 suburbs is the largest single rollout in the history of the U-verse service, which currently has 230,000 users. U-verse is deliberately downplaying the marketing of the service as a check against raising consumer expectations and is expected to face stiff local competition from local provider Comcast. AT&T has a statewide cable TV franchise after the Illinois Legislature agreed to a wide franchise.

"We're doing a controlled rollout because we want to provide a good customer experience," said AT&T Illinois GM Steven Mitchell. Earlier technical and regulatory issues had stalled the rollout from late 2006. AT&T is required to respond to customer requests for service within seven days, or face penalties such as providing some free service to the customer. AT&T executives confirmed its Q4 conference call that it was targeting one million users by the end of 2008.

For more:
- AT&T will start offering TV service Article [1]

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