Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

Yes, you can save money on your AT&T bill.  If you do what I do, you can do likewise and I believe the same principles apply for other service providers like Verizon, Comcast, DirectTV, TimeWarner, etc.

1.  Call AT&T and ask them to review your bill and tell them that you need to save money.  Depending on your service area and depending on the day you call, there will generally be some type of  special offering.  

2.  Ask for something for free to keep you as a customer.  Do your homework.  I just got 3 free months of HBO, just for asking.  Shop around with offers from competitors and tell the person at the other end that you have a competing offer.  Make sure it’s true and make sure it’s comparable and / or better than AT&T’s offering.

3.  Have a set goal of 20%.  Assume you are spending $100 per month on your service, a $20 savings may not seems like a lot, but when you add it up, it comes to $240 per year.  When you calculate what it takes you "earn" $240, based on your tax bracket, it could be a gross amount of $300 per year or more.

4.  As a rule, AT&T’s offerings expire – and expire automatically every six months.  AT&T is not going to call you to remind you to renew your offering.  Remember, they expire.  So, put your expiration date in your calendar and call them the day after your offer expires and tell them you want to renew, or get another savings offering that is equal to or better than your present offer.  

AT&T is a terrific company with a great service offering, but I think they are dumb for not reaching out to customers when service offerings expire.  It would be a real PR coup for them, but someone inside AT&T who makes the decisions to do otherwise.

Give it a try and remember that your milage may vary.  Be diligent and be prepared to cut them off and move elsewhere if they don’t save you money.  The cost of replacing you as a customer is high.  It’s called customer acquisition.  

If you get a call center agent who does not budge, ask for customer retention and try this approach.  Let me know how it goes with a comment on this blog or an email to:  alan at weinkrantz dot com.

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

Source: www.voip-news.com

Vertica Systems and Sigma Systems are holding a webinar about new internet protocol detail record mediation and data warehousing solutions for cable and telecom service providers. The solution being discussed allows providers to analyze terabytes of usage and subscriber data at any level of detail and in real time.

Here’s the detes:

DETAILS:
Attendees will learn how to:
– Do fast, ad-hoc reporting on real-time IPDR and other telecom data
with minimal impact on equipment and systems performance.
– Gain better insight into service fulfillment, rating, charging,
billing and profitability that result in competitive advantage, tight
regulatory compliance and a better customer experience.
– Examine network and call data in real time to improve quality of
service.
– Query years of data at any detail level.
– Eliminate revenue leakage and reduce customer churn.

– Identify fraud.

WHEN:
Tuesday, June 16, 2009, 10:00 AM Eastern time

To register: http://www.vertica.com/.

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

I still have until June 11 to make a decision on what to do about my AT&T U-verse service.  

Source: www.voip-news.com

On Wednesday, Corning Cable Systems GmbH & Co KG will be at the DatacenterDynamics Conference in Paris. The company will be displaying their Plug & Play Universal Systems, which are 100G ready, as well as their Pretium Low-loss OM3 Jumpers.

According to Corning Cable Systems:

The FutureCom(TM) EA system and S500 Module which provides a universal generic cabling solution for the use of Ethernet, VoIP, telephone, TV and other services, and is specially designed to support 10 Gigabit Ethernet over 100 meters. FutureCom EA offers high network performance and security with alien cross talk protection that is compliant with the Cat. 6A requirements. It also supports Power over Ethernet and Power over Ethernet Plus.

UniCam(R) Pretium-Performance Connectors, which offer an industry-leading optical performance in a fast, easy field-termination solution.

Source: www.voip-news.com

OneAccess will be assisting TeleCable in providing new telecommunications services with VoIP technology for their Asturias business customers. TeleCable will be using a One Access ONE100 router among its new technology.

“TeleCable has a strong track-record as one of Spain’s most innovative telecoms operators. Its selection of our ONE100 multiplatform router demonstrates that the ONE100 is the best solution available in terms of the services it enables and therefore the new revenue streams it provides for the operator. It also cements OneAccess’ position as a leading supplier to the Spanish telecoms market,” said Alan Brazier, CSO of OneAccess.

According to the companies:

The ONE100 equipment allows TeleCable to offer digital telephony services without having to modify its current network, which already has two interfaces for ISDN Basic, or four interfaces for larger businesses.

With this move, TeleCable reaffirms its trajectory as one of the most innovative telecommunications operators and OneAccess strengthens its position as the leading provider within the Spanish market.

Source: www.voip-news.com

Cablecom, the largest cable-network operator in Switzerland, is going to use SmartNode 4630 Multiport BRI VoIP Router for its connect PBX ISDN VoIP and data service for SMBs.

“As a business service provider, we require innovative technology with the highest level of reliability, and SmartNode hits both targets. Partnering with Patton-Inalp enabled us to establish our voice service at the highest level of quality,” said Sacha Jooss, Cablecom Product Manager

SmartNode 4630 provides up to 5 BRI ports and 8 VoIP channels.

“The SmartNode equipment works so reliably that management never hears from them, and that is a good sign. Selecting SmartNode enables us to meet the demanding expectations of traditional ISDN users,” said Jooss.

According to SmartNode’s manufacturer, Patton-Inalp Networks AG:

Cablecom’s decision was driven by Patton’s unique price-performance equation: SmartNode delivers voice quality comparable to ISDN combined with first-line stability and reliability in a low-cost, standalone form factor. A rich ISDN feature set allows users to use their handsets and PBX features exactly as they are accustomed.

Another deciding factor was the high-precision clock, unique to SmartNode, which eliminates interoperability failures with DECT, PBX and FAX communications that commonly occur when VoIP is deployed in ISDN environments.

Source: www.voip-news.com

Sigma Systems will be exhibiting at The Cable Show 2009. The company plans to demonstrate its residential video, business VoIP and Subscriber Information Systems for advanced advertising.

The Cable Show is planned for April 1-3 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington DC.

Here’s some detes:

Panel discussion: “OSS & BSS: Transforming the Back Office to Capitalize on New Growth Opportunities,” hosted by Brian Cappellani, will take place on Friday, April 3, at 8:30 a.m.

Part of the CIO.IT track, the panel will address strategies for cable operators to seize new growth opportunities through new service offerings, such as business VoIP and wireless.

Source: www.voip-news.com

The 2009 Data Centre World Exhibition is coming in London next week. Scheduled for Feb. 24-25, the presenters will include Corning Cable Systems GmbH & Co KG, which will be showing their Plug & Play Universal Systems, designed to reduce the carbon footprint of data centers with the factory-terminated, modular components.

The company will also be showcasing their FutureCom EA system with the S500 Module, a universal general cabling solution for using Ethernet, VoIP, telephone, TV and other services.

Other highlights include:

- Pretium(R) Integrated Solutions Zero-U System, which features pre-engineered optical harnesses that map directly to the line card ports of major equipment vendor SAN directors. The Zero-U System includes MTP(R) Connector brackets mounted into the cabinet’s vertical manager to facilitate patching instead of consuming valuable rack space as is traditional, providing more room for data centre electronics. The Pretium Integrated Solutions family also includes the U-Space System, which provides the high-density benefits realized by the Zero-U System, utilizing a traditional rack mount housing for the MTP Connector patching area.

- Integrated Trunk Module (ITM), a factory-terminated, MTP Connector trunk assembly integrated into a Plug & Play Universal Systems module. The trunk cable stored within the module is easily deployed to an exact length, so precise pre-planning of cable length is not required.

The ITM provides a quick and convenient method for deploying and/or redeploying optical connectivity and is well-suited for zone distribution architectures, from the zone distribution area to equipment cabinet(s). Additionally, the ITM can be easily deployed between the data centre main distribution area and individual cabinet locations.

- UniCam(R) Pretium Performance Connectors, which offer industry-leading optical performance in a fast, easy field-termination solution.

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

And now, ABC News expands the story that ran on Good Morning America yesterday.Just click here.

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

Starting  the day before President McCain – I mean, President Obama gets to take over the reins of our country, U-verse TV customers will receive up to 30 new HD channels at no additional charge as part of their existing HD service subscription, depending on their programming package.

AT&T has just announced additional HD programming with  more than
30 new HD channels and new international programming packages for
Chinese, Polish, Russian, French and European-sports audiences.

With the additions, U-verse TV offers more than 75 HD channels — exceeding the HD channel lineups offered by the major local cable providers in every U-verse market.

The newly added HD channels include several regional sports networks, premium movie channels, and popular national sports, news, women’s, shopping and lifestyle networks. (Refer to the full list of HD channel additions at the end of this release.) HD service is available for $10 a month with any U-verse TV programming package. All U-verse TV packages include HD-ready equipment, and four of the five packages include an HD-ready Total Home DVR. Total Home DVR is being rolled out to all U-verse markets by the end of this year.

U-verse TV is also introducing more HD options on Nov. 10 with a new HD Premium package. Featuring Universal HD, MGM HD and Smithsonian Channel HD, the new tier can be added to an HD service subscription for an additional $5 a month. More channels will be added to the HD Premium package in the future.

AT&T is also expanding the ethnic programming available on U-verse TV with several new packages for its diverse customer base including:
 
·         Mandarin Package, featuring CCTV-4, CTI-Zhong Tian Channel, Phoenix InfoNews and Phoenix North American Chinese Channel, for $35 a month. CTI-Zhong Tian Channel can be ordered a la carte for $12 a month, and CCTV-4, Phoenix InfoNews and Phoenix North American Chinese Channel are available a la carte for $10 a month.
·         Polish Package, featuring TV Polonia and TVP Info, for $25 a month. TV Polonia can be ordered a la carte for $20 a month.
·         Russian Package, featuring RTR Planeta and Channel One Russia, for $25 a month. Each channel is available a la carte for $15 a month.
·         TV5MONDE, featuring programs from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and Quebec, for $10 a month.
·         Setanta Sports, featuring exclusively live European and international soccer, rugby and other sports, for $15 a month.

The new international packages are available starting Nov. 10 and can be added to any U-verse TV core programming package.

As part of this month’s expansion, U-verse TV customers also gain access to several new standard definition channels: The Outdoor Channel, NASA TV and, as part of Paquete Español, WAPA America and V-me. Paquete Español features 24 Spanish-language channels for $10 a month with any U-verse TV core programming package.

THE FOLLOWING HD CHANNELS ARE BEING ADDED TO THE AT&T U-VERSE TV LINEUP:
 

@Max HD
5StarMax HD
ActionMax HD
Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD
Comcast SportsNet New England HD
Encore HD
Fox Business Network HD
Fox News Channel HD
FSN Detroit HD
FSN Florida HD
FSN Midwest (Kansas City) HD
FSN Midwest (St. Louis) HD
FSN Ohio (Cincinnati) HD
FSN Ohio (Cleveland) HD
FSN Prime Ticket HD
FSN South HD
FSN Southwest (Dallas) HD
FSN Southwest (Houston) HD
FX Network HD
FX Network HD – West
Hallmark Movie Channel HD
HBO Latino HD
HBO Signature HD
HBO Zone HD
HBO2 West HD
Lifetime Television HD
Lifetime Television HD – West
MoreMax HD
Outdoor Channel HD
OuterMax HD
Planet Green HD
QVC HD
Showtime 2 HD
Showtime Extreme HD
Showtime Showcase HD
Speed HD
SportsSouth HD
SportsTime Ohio HD
Starz Comedy HD
Starz Edge HD
Sun Sports HD
The Travel Channel HD
ThrillerMax HD
TMC Xtra HD
Weather Channel HD
Wmax HD

Photo courtesy of AT&T

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

Even though I am sure we are going to get through this financial mess, economic reality does set it and there are times when families or individuals need to cut back on their cable / IPTV bills.

If you decide to totally unplug from TV here are some other alternatives  Some are free. 

Some cost money.

Your mileage may vary. 

If you need to totally  unplug, then give it a try for a month and see if you can do something else, like reading!  Personally, I can see giving up TV, but not DSL for the family. 

If it’s just you, then get a wireless aircard so you can have broadband access at home and wherever you go.

Here are some choices:

AppleTV:  I’ve got an AppleTV device and I really like it.  I find myself watching YouTube videos, including my own,  on my big screen (free) and renting movies from Apple, instead of from AT&T, as they are less expensive.  Also, you can port your movies for viewing on your computer or your iPhone for when you travel. 

Hulu.  I’ve noticed that I’ve started to watch The Daily Show on Hulu rather than on my big screen.  Sometimes I just need a break at work and want to see an episode, or part of an episode I missed.  Hulu’s interface is great and easy to navigate.

Joost. The new and improved Joost is somewhat akin to Hulu.  In its opening pitch, they are even talk about "social stuff" so I supposed they are trying to help like minded viewer communities.

DailyMotion They bill themselves as being about finding new ways to see, share and engage your world through the power of online video. You can find – or upload – videos about your interests and hobbies, eyewitness accounts of recent news and distant places, and everything else from the strange to the spectacular.

Vudu.  You still have to buy the $299 set top box, but can rent movies for $1.99 each.  I guess it saves a trip to the video store and is less than renting a video from AT&T.

Netflix.  No web access required.  You get your videos in the mail.  Or, you can buy their $99 set top box from Roku and download their movies.

PrimeTimeRewind.com.  This is from my pal, Jeff Pulver, who’s always out there on the next thing in disruption.  Jeff’s site is really cool because, like its name, you can get free prime time shows and re-wind them.  Hate to miss Family Guy?  No problem, Jeff’s got ‘em.

These are just a few samples of the best of the best. 

If you are hunkering down, but still want to scale back on your monthly bill, try going to a less expensive package.  In the case of U-verse pricing, you can save money by going from the U400 to the U100 package. 

Packages start at $44 per month.