AT&T joins Charlotte internet arms race. Mayor Clodfelter is a U-verse subscriber
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Yesterday, AT&T launched U-verse with GigaPower – a fancy, fast internet. Long story short, this is outstanding for us (consumers) as we now have powerhouses Time Warner Cable, Google and AT&T competing for our business.
I don’t want to nerd out right now, but faster internet has all sorts of benefits for our city other than just lowering your Netflix buffering time so you can binge watch the new season of Orange is the New Black.
Currently, we’re one of twelve cities to have AT&T GigaPower. Unfortunately, it looks like Atlanta was before us (Arrgh).
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The press conference took place at Charlotte Chamber’s new office (loving the new digs). Chamber President (and fairly active Twitter guy) Bob Morgan spoke along with Mayor Clodfelter and AT&T North Carolina President Venessa Harrison. Total press conference time was about 19 minutes.
Venessa Harrison, AT&T North Carolina President: “We’re excited to launch our ultra-high-speed AT&T GigaPower network in the Charlotte area. Residents and small businesses want the latest technologies and AT&T is delivering. The AT&T GigaPower network will help encourage economic growth by facilitating a new wave of innovation through enhanced opportunities for education, health, research and small business growth.”
Your three fancy internet options
- AT&T GigaPower
- TWC Maxx
- Google Fiber (still TBD on service availability)
- Ted’s Premium Dial Up
Observation: Can a brand manager at one of these companies please hire Addison Whitney to come up with a new name? “Fiber” isn’t bad, “GigaPower” is mediocre and “Maxx” sounds like an executive’s nephew trying to name a superhero.
How much will the GigaPower cost you?
- U-verse High Speed Internet Premier: Internet speeds up to 1Gbps starting as low as $70 a month.
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- U-verse High Speed Internet Premier + TV: Internet speeds up to 1Gbps and qualifying TV service starting as low as $120 a month.
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- U-verse High Speed Internet Premier + TV + Voice: Internet speeds up to 1Gbps with qualifying TV service and Unlimited U-verse Voice starting as low as $150 a month.
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Observation: Here’s how much I currently pay per month for my AT&T U-verse 200 w/HD and the internet. I feel like it’s too much, but I don’t know what to do. I do like AT&T’s customer service people.
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How fast is GigaPower?
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Observation: Just thinking about a Charlotte resident actually looking at GigaPower speeds and having this reaction made me chuckle. I tried to recreate it for future GigaPower brochures. I think I nailed it.
What does Mayor Dan Clodfelter have to say and what provider does he choose?
Mayor Dan Clodfelter: “Everyone wants access to the fastest and strongest Internet networks, because high-speed Internet connections improve access to education, health care and employment opportunities. Today’s announcement that AT&T will offer its ultrafast AT&T GigaPower fiber network in our community is great news for consumers and small businesses.”
He added this fun item: “Personal thanks as a U-Verse customer.” Oh boy, local Time Warner Execs may start to increase donations to Peacock’s mayoral campaign…
Press conference swag grade?
A-. Outstanding mix of items (I was probably the only person that was not bashful about grabbing one of each). I would’ve given an A, but I felt like the coffee carriers could have been slightly more premium.