Comments on: AT&T Unity, or a desperate cry to save wireline http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:17:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Global Telcos Plotting a Skype Rival? - GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-877086 Global Telcos Plotting a Skype Rival? - GigaOM Tue, 06 May 2008 17:01:20 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-877086 <p>[...] In the past, carriers have merely taken half-measures to address the voice-for-free problem. So this is radical new thinking: If voice is a losing business, why shouldn’t the carriers cannibalize it themselves, then sell other services, including video? As Wahlman noted, “Robust data connection is the most valuable service the carriers sell.” [...]</p> [...] In the past, carriers have merely taken half-measures to address the voice-for-free problem. So this is radical new thinking: If voice is a losing business, why shouldn’t the carriers cannibalize it themselves, then sell other services, including video? As Wahlman noted, “Robust data connection is the most valuable service the carriers sell.” [...]

]]> By: Marcia Burke http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-776228 Marcia Burke Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:38:46 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-776228 <p>Has anyone actually purchased the Unity Plan? I am having great difficulty and wondered if anyone else has run into similar problems.</p> <p>Is this a "bait and switch" deal? I've been told I'm eligible, been quoted (in writing) a rate, switched my service (at great expense) and now they say I can't enroll because I live in one of nine southeastern states. Am I being discriminated against because of where I live? Why solicit my business with a sales call and printed advertising if you aren't going to let me buy your plan?</p> <p>Please contact me if this has happened to you. We need to register our dissatisfaction with this.</p> <p>Posted by M Burke @ 12/15/2007 12:36 PM PST</p> Has anyone actually purchased the Unity Plan? I am having great difficulty and wondered if anyone else has run into similar problems.

Is this a “bait and switch” deal? I’ve been told I’m eligible, been quoted (in writing) a rate, switched my service (at great expense) and now they say I can’t enroll because I live in one of nine southeastern states. Am I being discriminated against because of where I live? Why solicit my business with a sales call and printed advertising if you aren’t going to let me buy your plan?

Please contact me if this has happened to you. We need to register our dissatisfaction with this.

Posted by M Burke @ 12/15/2007 12:36 PM PST

]]> By: nowhereman http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82510 nowhereman Wed, 31 Jan 2007 01:27:12 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82510 <p>What's to get? AT&T is still the worst performing wireless company out there, regardless of who's running it. Time will show us that it won't get better. Now it's going to kill Cingular, too. You don't have to agree, or even argue. Just wait it out. Me, I'm going to change service providers.</p> What’s to get? AT&T is still the worst performing wireless company out there, regardless of who’s running it. Time will show us that it won’t get better. Now it’s going to kill Cingular, too. You don’t have to agree, or even argue. Just wait it out. Me, I’m going to change service providers.

]]> By: Roger Telegan http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82509 Roger Telegan Sun, 28 Jan 2007 22:14:56 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82509 <p>the "new at&t" is really just SBC. As you know Cingular's name is changing. It will now be at&t. </p> <p>It will NOT be AT&T Wireless. </p> <p>What you Mike S. should understand is that the network, people and systems that were once AT&T Wireless are not taking over Cingular. </p> <p>SBC merged (took over) AT&T "Ma Bell" - HQ Office for "the new at&t" are in TEXAS. Not New Jersey or New York where AT&T "Ma Bell" was headquartered.</p> <p>My take is Ed Whiacre (his team) are taking the best parts of "AT&T", "SBC", "PacificBell", & "Bell South" and creating one company - led by what was in 1996 SouthWesternBell now - SBC.</p> <p>this is not AT&T comming back - this is a whole new company just using the "brand" and the best technologies, products, and services.</p> <p>What you/we as consumers know as Cingular will not revert back to what was AT&T Wireless.</p> <p>…anybody get what I am saying?</p> the “new at&t” is really just SBC. As you know Cingular’s name is changing. It will now be at&t.

It will NOT be AT&T Wireless.

What you Mike S. should understand is that the network, people and systems that were once AT&T Wireless are not taking over Cingular.

SBC merged (took over) AT&T “Ma Bell” – HQ Office for “the new at&t” are in TEXAS. Not New Jersey or New York where AT&T “Ma Bell” was headquartered.

My take is Ed Whiacre (his team) are taking the best parts of “AT&T”, “SBC”, “PacificBell”, & “Bell South” and creating one company – led by what was in 1996 SouthWesternBell now – SBC.

this is not AT&T comming back – this is a whole new company just using the “brand” and the best technologies, products, and services.

What you/we as consumers know as Cingular will not revert back to what was AT&T Wireless.

…anybody get what I am saying?

]]> By: perkins http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82508 perkins Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:02:32 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82508 <p>the other fun part of that FCC data is that the average revenue per line (ARPU) went up over this time - by something like 30%. $15 grew to $20 if memory serves. taken in concert with the 40% decline in usage that is a doubling in 'price per minute'. All of this is through 2001, I would speculate its gotten worse since then.</p> the other fun part of that FCC data is that the average revenue per line (ARPU) went up over this time – by something like 30%. $15 grew to $20 if memory serves. taken in concert with the 40% decline in usage that is a doubling in ‘price per minute’. All of this is through 2001, I would speculate its gotten worse since then.

]]> By: Mike S http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82504 Mike S Sat, 20 Jan 2007 17:29:53 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82504 <p>AT&T itself is a marketing ploy by old-line businesses trying to stay relevant. Just look at the idiocy of the AT&T/BellSouth merger. Now AT&T is going to destroy the burgeoning Cingular brand by injecting their incompetence and old-school ways and rename it back to AT&T Wireless. I, for one of millions, was pleased by what Cingular became as I ran from the disaster that was AT&T Wireless. Now, it’s all rushing back. Thank God my two-year contract should be ending just as AT&T unleashes its wrath upon Cingular.</p> <p>Unfortunately, AT&T just doesn’t get it. They need to accept their fate and ultimate uselessness and stop dragging down good companies and people in the process.</p> AT&T itself is a marketing ploy by old-line businesses trying to stay relevant. Just look at the idiocy of the AT&T/BellSouth merger. Now AT&T is going to destroy the burgeoning Cingular brand by injecting their incompetence and old-school ways and rename it back to AT&T Wireless. I, for one of millions, was pleased by what Cingular became as I ran from the disaster that was AT&T Wireless. Now, it’s all rushing back. Thank God my two-year contract should be ending just as AT&T unleashes its wrath upon Cingular.

Unfortunately, AT&T just doesn’t get it. They need to accept their fate and ultimate uselessness and stop dragging down good companies and people in the process.

]]> By: John Egan, Infineon http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82507 John Egan, Infineon Sat, 20 Jan 2007 16:28:03 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82507 <p>The points about fax reductions, 2nd line reductions, and dial up reductions have valid points and have nothing to do with mobile or VoIP but to email, broadband, and the Internet. I believe that "missing the point" is the best way to categorize the analysts as.</p> The points about fax reductions, 2nd line reductions, and dial up reductions have valid points and have nothing to do with mobile or VoIP but to email, broadband, and the Internet. I believe that “missing the point” is the best way to categorize the analysts as.

]]> By: Visible http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82506 Visible Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:37:30 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82506 <p>at&t/cingular combine can trump the competition…</p> at&t/cingular combine can trump the competition…

]]> By: Aswath http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82505 Aswath Sat, 20 Jan 2007 13:13:01 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82505 <p>Om:</p> <p>One way to rule out the loss of second line for the reduction is to extend the range of the study period. Isn't interesting that the studies start their observations starting with 2001. Instead it will be more informative to look at the growth before "Internet", during dial-up growth and during "always-on" (Broadband, in common vernacular) access.</p> Om:

One way to rule out the loss of second line for the reduction is to extend the range of the study period. Isn’t interesting that the studies start their observations starting with 2001. Instead it will be more informative to look at the growth before “Internet”, during dial-up growth and during “always-on” (Broadband, in common vernacular) access.

]]> By: petabro http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82503 petabro Sat, 20 Jan 2007 12:33:01 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82503 <p>Comcast may buy Sprint to counter this move</p> Comcast may buy Sprint to counter this move

]]> By: binaryview http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82498 binaryview Sat, 20 Jan 2007 03:25:10 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82498 <p>This is just a marketing gimmick approved by accountants!!!</p> <p>How many will pay $60 for wireless and $50+ for wireline about $150 after taxes for this facility?</p> <p>Can't blame accountants to come up with an "at least" revenue neutral promotion.</p> <p>There is another name for it - have your cake and eat it too.</p> <p>Not this time .. it's over for wireline voice.</p> This is just a marketing gimmick approved by accountants!!!

How many will pay $60 for wireless and $50+ for wireline about $150 after taxes for this facility?

Can’t blame accountants to come up with an “at least” revenue neutral promotion.

There is another name for it – have your cake and eat it too.

Not this time .. it’s over for wireline voice.

]]> By: Om Malik http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82499 Om Malik Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:58:05 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82499 <p>Andrew</p> <p>the dial-up and fax line losses argument is a valid one, but it doesn't account for the massive declines. I am not sure how this is scare mongering. People are simply switching to other options including wireless.</p> Andrew

the dial-up and fax line losses argument is a valid one, but it doesn’t account for the massive declines. I am not sure how this is scare mongering. People are simply switching to other options including wireless.

]]> By: Andrew Schmitt http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82500 Andrew Schmitt Sat, 20 Jan 2007 02:24:52 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82500 <p>I call B.S. on how this is all being positioned. Much of the line losses and minute drops are a result of people cutting their dedicated dial up line or fax line, and no longer using the minutes associated with it. Danny-boy doesn't mention that.</p> <p>The scare mongering needs to stop.</p> I call B.S. on how this is all being positioned. Much of the line losses and minute drops are a result of people cutting their dedicated dial up line or fax line, and no longer using the minutes associated with it. Danny-boy doesn’t mention that.

The scare mongering needs to stop.

]]> By: Om Malik http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82501 Om Malik Sat, 20 Jan 2007 01:29:27 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82501 <p>exactly, and now they have a bigger foot print they can offer it to much larger community, get some buzz and call it UNITY. For crying out loud. hence the opening paragraph and this line</p> <blockquote> a nifty marketing ploy … is a quick justification of Ed Whitacre’s merge and grow strategy.</blockquote> exactly, and now they have a bigger foot print they can offer it to much larger community, get some buzz and call it UNITY. For crying out loud. hence the opening paragraph and this line

a nifty marketing ploy … is a quick justification of Ed Whitacre’s merge and grow strategy.
]]> By: Jesse Kopelman http://gigaom.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82502 Jesse Kopelman Sat, 20 Jan 2007 01:19:21 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2007/01/19/att-unity-or-a-desperate-cry-to-save-wireline/#comment-82502 <p>Didn't SBC already offer something like this in their local territories?</p> Didn’t SBC already offer something like this in their local territories?

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