Traditional vs. U-verse

Traditional vs. U-verse

Traditional cable TV or satellite TV uses broadcast radio frequency video technology, in which all content constantly flows downstream to each customer and the customer switches the content at the television set controller box. The network is one-way.

U-verse’s content remains in the network, and only the content the customer requests is sent to the customer’s home. The network is two-way.

The pipeline

The programming is sent from providers to receivers at super video hub offices.

The signal is relayed to video hub offices, which add local programming and store video on demand programming.

Serving offices distribute programming to homes through one of two methods: fiber optic cable or copper cable.

When copper cable is used, the programming is distributed to within 5,000 feet of the customer into a hub site.

Once the signal leaves the hub site, it can be received through the wiring in the home by television, telephone and computer.

HISTORY

U-verse debuted in San Antonio in June 2006.

U-verse offered Internet remote access to DVR, November 2006.

AT T introduced mobile phone access to the U-verse DVR, April 2007.

U-verse launched in Cleveland and Akron in June 2007.

The service became available in Columbus in December 2007.

Other markets served: San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Santa Clara, Riverside, Ventura County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento (Calif.), Hartford, New Haven, Stamford (Conn.), Anderson, Bloomington, Indianapolis and Muncie (Ind.), Milwaukee, Racine (Wis.), Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin (Texas), Kansas City, Detroit, Ann Arbor (Mich.), Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Atlanta, Northeastern Illinois and Western Michigan.

Akron-Canton areas served by U-verse: Portage County: Brimfield, Franklin and Randolph townships, Kent, Ravenna, Streetsboro, Tallmadge and Brady Lake.

Stark County: Canton, Jackson, Lake and Plain townships, Canton, Louisville, Massillon, North Canton and East Canton.

Summit County: Bath, Copley and Richfield townships, Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Green, Munroe Falls, Norton, Silver Lake, Stow and Tallmadge.

Source: AT T